Lynchburg city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Serious · 65.2 | 79,535 people · 24th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Lynchburg city, VA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 65.2 — 633rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Virginia, it ranks 24th of 133 counties. It scores higher than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lynchburg city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 86.1 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 86.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 81
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 99
Legal Distress 79.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 80
Structural Poverty 61.2
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 82
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 72
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Consumer Credit Distress 56.8
Debt in Collections 59
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 71
Credit Card Delinquency 69
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 66
Economic Vitality 52.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 44
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 66

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lynchburg city
Lynchburg city, VA 65.2 Serious —
Amherst County, VA 58.5 Elevated -6.7
Campbell County, VA 43.6 Normal -21.6
Bedford County, VA 38.6 Normal -26.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lynchburg city
Navajo County, AZ 65.2 Serious -0.0
Calhoun County, MI 65.1 Serious -0.1
Rusk County, TX 65.3 Serious +0.1
Houston County, AL 65.3 Serious +0.1
Brazos County, TX 65.3 Serious +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Lynchburg city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Lynchburg city

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Lynchburg city.

LYNCHBURG COMMUNITY ACTION GROUP, INCORPORATE (AKA LYNCAG)
Lynchburg
434-455-1601 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Virginia →

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 Lynchburg city 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Virginia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Lynchburg city, Virginia?

    Lynchburg city has a County Distress Index score of 65.2 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 633rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lynchburg city?

    The primary driver of distress in Lynchburg city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 86.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lynchburg city compare to neighboring counties?

    Lynchburg city (65.2) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Amherst County, VA (58.5); Campbell County, VA (43.6); Bedford County, VA (38.6).

  • 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 Serious 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). Lynchburg city's score of 65.2 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Lynchburg city's CDI score?

    Lynchburg city'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 Lynchburg city?

    Lynchburg city, Virginia has a population of approximately 79,535 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.