Powhatan County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.6 | 32,105 people · 127th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Powhatan County, VA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.6 — 2817th 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 127th of 133 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Powhatan County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 66.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 66.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Economic Vitality 62.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 93
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 31
House Price Change (YoY) 42
Housing Cost Burden 42.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 44
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 1
Consumer Credit Distress 16.5
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 15
Structural Poverty 5.7
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 3
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Powhatan County
Powhatan County, VA 28.6 Healthy —
Cumberland County, VA 56.7 Elevated +28.1
Henrico County, VA 55.5 Elevated +26.9
Amelia County, VA 53.1 Elevated +24.5
Chesterfield County, VA 51.3 Elevated +22.7
Goochland County, VA 17.9 Healthy -10.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Powhatan County
Lamoille County, VT 28.6 Healthy -0.0
Routt County, CO 28.5 Healthy -0.1
Madison County, IA 28.5 Healthy -0.1
Douglas County, IL 28.8 Healthy +0.1
Colfax County, NE 28.5 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Powhatan 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 Powhatan 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 Powhatan County, Virginia?

    Powhatan County has a County Distress Index score of 28.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,817th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 127th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Powhatan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Powhatan County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 66.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Powhatan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Powhatan County (28.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Cumberland County, VA (56.7); Henrico County, VA (55.5); Amelia County, VA (53.1).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Powhatan County's score of 28.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Powhatan 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 Powhatan County?

    Powhatan County, Virginia has a population of approximately 32,105 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.