Norfolk city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Serious · 77.3 | 230,930 people · 4th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Norfolk city, VA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 77.3 — 122nd 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 4th of 133 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Norfolk city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 94.5 — worse than roughly 95% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 94.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 99
Legal Distress 84.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 84
Consumer Credit Distress 75.1
Debt in Collections 84
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 85
Credit Card Delinquency 91
Uninsured Rate 59
Subprime Credit Population 85
Economic Vitality 64.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 99
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Structural Poverty 61.4
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 79
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 80
Disability Rate 40
Transfer Income Dependency 50

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Norfolk city
Norfolk city, VA 77.3 Serious —
Portsmouth city, VA 81.9 Crisis +4.6
Hampton city, VA 77.1 Serious -0.2
Chesapeake city, VA 56.5 Elevated -20.8
Virginia Beach city, VA 55.5 Elevated -21.7
Northampton County, VA 52.6 Elevated -24.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Norfolk city
Hampton city, VA 77.1 Serious -0.2
Darlington County, SC 77.4 Serious +0.2
Floyd County, GA 77.0 Serious -0.2
Nacogdoches County, TX 77.0 Serious -0.2
Jefferson County, AR 77.0 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Norfolk city

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Norfolk city.

CHILD & FAMILY SERVICES OF EASTERN VIRGINIA, INC. D/B/A THE UP CENTER
Norfolk
757-622-7017 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling
CREDIT.ORG - VIRGINIA BRANCH
Norfolk
757-657-4493 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
HOMENET (Norfolk RHA)
Norfolk
757-314-4202
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing
URBAN LEAGUE OF HAMPTON ROADS
Norfolk
757-627-0864 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 Norfolk 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 Norfolk city, Virginia?

    Norfolk city has a County Distress Index score of 77.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 122nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Norfolk city?

    The primary driver of distress in Norfolk city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 94.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Norfolk city compare to neighboring counties?

    Norfolk city (77.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Portsmouth city, VA (81.9); Hampton city, VA (77.1); Chesapeake city, VA (56.5).

  • 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 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). Norfolk city's score of 77.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Norfolk 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 Norfolk city?

    Norfolk city, Virginia has a population of approximately 230,930 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.