Middlesex County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.7 | 10,924 people · 83rd most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Middlesex County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.7 — 1863rd 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 83rd of 133 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Middlesex County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 77.3 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 77.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 77
Economic Vitality 73.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 89
Rent-to-Income Ratio 67
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Structural Poverty 51.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 58
Disability Rate 81
Transfer Income Dependency 61
Consumer Credit Distress 40.5
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 69
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 25
Housing Cost Burden 31.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 61
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 37
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Middlesex County
Middlesex County, VA 45.7 Normal —
Essex County, VA 69.0 Serious +23.4
King and Queen County, VA 55.2 Elevated +9.5
Richmond County, VA 54.5 Elevated +8.9
Accomack County, VA 53.0 Elevated +7.4
Northampton County, VA 52.6 Elevated +6.9
Lancaster County, VA 45.8 Normal +0.1
Gloucester County, VA 43.1 Normal -2.6
Mathews County, VA 35.2 Normal -10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Middlesex County
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal +0.1
Barton County, KS 45.6 Normal -0.1
Lancaster County, VA 45.8 Normal +0.1
Transylvania County, NC 45.5 Normal -0.2
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Middlesex 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 Middlesex 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 Middlesex County, Virginia?

    Middlesex County has a County Distress Index score of 45.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,863rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Middlesex County?

    The primary driver of distress in Middlesex County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 77.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Middlesex County compare to neighboring counties?

    Middlesex County (45.7) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Essex County, VA (69.0); King and Queen County, VA (55.2); Richmond County, VA (54.5).

  • 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). Middlesex County's score of 45.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Middlesex 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 Middlesex County?

    Middlesex County, Virginia has a population of approximately 10,924 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.