Hanover County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.8 | 114,148 people · 118th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Hanover County, VA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.8 — 2594th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Virginia, it ranks 118th of 133 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hanover County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 66.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 66.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Housing Cost Burden 59.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 70
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 8
Economic Vitality 58.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 92
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 51
Consumer Credit Distress 17.6
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 10
Subprime Credit Population 18
Structural Poverty 6.6
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 7

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hanover County
Hanover County, VA 32.8 Healthy —
Henrico County, VA 55.5 Elevated +22.7
Caroline County, VA 55.2 Elevated +22.3
Spotsylvania County, VA 54.6 Elevated +21.8
Louisa County, VA 50.2 Elevated +17.4
King William County, VA 49.3 Normal +16.4
New Kent County, VA 36.5 Normal +3.7
Goochland County, VA 17.9 Healthy -14.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hanover County
Sherburne County, MN 32.9 Healthy +0.1
Ogle County, IL 32.7 Healthy -0.2
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy -0.2
Bingham County, ID 32.6 Healthy -0.2
Fond du Lac County, WI 33.1 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Hanover County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Hanover County

Find an Attorney

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Hanover County residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Hanover County, Virginia?

    Hanover County has a County Distress Index score of 32.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,594th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 118th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hanover County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hanover County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 66.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Hanover County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hanover County (32.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Henrico County, VA (55.5); Caroline County, VA (55.2); Spotsylvania County, VA (54.6).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Hanover County's score of 32.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Hanover County's CDI score?

    Hanover County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Hanover County?

    Hanover County, Virginia has a population of approximately 114,148 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.