Highland County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.3 | 2,339 people · 105th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Highland County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.3 — 2291st 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 105th of 133 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Highland County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 67.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 67.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Structural Poverty 66.8
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Economic Vitality 36.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 47
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 11
House Price Change (YoY) 38
Housing Cost Burden 34.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 27.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 62
Credit Card Delinquency 56
Uninsured Rate 42
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Highland County
Highland County, VA 38.3 Normal —
Augusta County, VA 39.8 Normal +1.4
Pendleton County, WV 39.1 Normal +0.7
Pocahontas County, WV 36.0 Normal -2.3
Bath County, VA 30.1 Healthy -8.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Highland County
Thomas County, KS 38.3 Normal -0.0
Kiowa County, CO 38.4 Normal +0.0
Lincoln County, ID 38.4 Normal +0.0
Hancock County, KY 38.3 Normal -0.1
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Highland 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 Highland 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 Highland County, Virginia?

    Highland County has a County Distress Index score of 38.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,291st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 105th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Highland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Highland County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 67.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Highland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Highland County (38.3) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Augusta County, VA (39.8); Pendleton County, WV (39.1); Pocahontas County, WV (36.0).

  • 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 Normal 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). Highland County's score of 38.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Highland 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 Highland County?

    Highland County, Virginia has a population of approximately 2,339 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.