New Kent County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.5 | 26,134 people · 112th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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New Kent County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.5 — 2387th 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 112th of 133 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. New Kent County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 72.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 72.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Housing Cost Burden 68.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 77
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 1
Economic Vitality 57.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 60
Consumer Credit Distress 21.1
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 21
Structural Poverty 5.4
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. New Kent County
New Kent County, VA 36.5 Normal —
Charles City County, VA 58.6 Elevated +22.1
Henrico County, VA 55.5 Elevated +19.0
King and Queen County, VA 55.2 Elevated +18.7
King William County, VA 49.3 Normal +12.7
James City County, VA 39.9 Normal +3.3
Hanover County, VA 32.8 Healthy -3.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. New Kent County
Richland County, IL 36.5 Normal -0.0
Polk County, MN 36.6 Normal +0.0
Carroll County, IN 36.5 Normal -0.1
Miami County, KS 36.5 Normal -0.1
Latah County, ID 36.7 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for New Kent County as a CSV file.

Find Help in New Kent 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 New Kent 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 New Kent County, Virginia?

    New Kent County has a County Distress Index score of 36.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,387th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 112th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in New Kent County?

    The primary driver of distress in New Kent County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 72.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does New Kent County compare to neighboring counties?

    New Kent County (36.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Charles City County, VA (58.6); Henrico County, VA (55.5); King and Queen County, VA (55.2).

  • 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). New Kent County's score of 36.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power New Kent County's CDI score?

    New Kent 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 New Kent County?

    New Kent County, Virginia has a population of approximately 26,134 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.