Northumberland County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.0 | 12,391 people · 95th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Northumberland County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.0 — 2070th 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 95th 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. Northumberland County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 71.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 71.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 71
Economic Vitality 67.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 31
House Price Change (YoY) 81
Structural Poverty 56.1
Unemployment Rate 88
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 72
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Consumer Credit Distress 42.9
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 76
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 36
Housing Cost Burden 10.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Northumberland County
Northumberland County, VA 42.0 Normal —
Somerset County, MD 73.8 Serious +31.8
Westmoreland County, VA 66.7 Serious +24.7
Richmond County, VA 54.5 Elevated +12.6
Accomack County, VA 53.0 Elevated +11.1
Lancaster County, VA 45.8 Normal +3.9
St. Mary's County, MD 40.8 Normal -1.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Northumberland County
Page County, IA 42.0 Normal +0.0
Giles County, VA 41.9 Normal -0.0
Williams County, ND 42.1 Normal +0.1
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal +0.1
Gasconade County, MO 42.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Northumberland 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 Northumberland 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 Northumberland County, Virginia?

    Northumberland County has a County Distress Index score of 42.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,070th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 95th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Northumberland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Northumberland County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 71.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Northumberland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Northumberland County (42.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Somerset County, MD (73.8); Westmoreland County, VA (66.7); 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). Northumberland County's score of 42.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Northumberland 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 Northumberland County?

    Northumberland County, Virginia has a population of approximately 12,391 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.