Norton city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Serious · 65.9 | 3,492 people · 23rd most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Norton city, VA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 65.9 — 602nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Virginia, it ranks 23rd of 133 counties. It scores higher than all 1 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Norton city's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 80.4 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 80.4
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 88
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 90
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Housing Cost Burden 73.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 95
Consumer Credit Distress 60.7
Debt in Collections 88
Medical Debt 45
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 77
Economic Vitality 60.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 83
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 38
Legal Distress 57.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Norton city
Norton city, VA 65.9 Serious —
Wise County, VA 59.5 Elevated -6.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Norton city
Red River Parish, LA 65.8 Serious -0.1
Harmon County, OK 65.5 Serious -0.4
Echols County, GA 66.3 Serious +0.4
Floyd County, TX 65.4 Serious -0.5
Latimer County, OK 65.3 Serious -0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Norton city

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Norton city.

COMMONWEALTH CATHOLIC CHARITIES
NORTON
804-285-5986 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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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 Norton 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 Norton city, Virginia?

    Norton city has a County Distress Index score of 65.9 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 602nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Norton city?

    The primary driver of distress in Norton city is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 80.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Norton city compare to neighboring counties?

    Norton city (65.9) can be compared to its 1 neighboring county: Wise County, VA (59.5).

  • 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). Norton city's score of 65.9 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Norton 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 Norton city?

    Norton city, Virginia has a population of approximately 3,492 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.