Rappahannock County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.3 | 7,414 people · 121st most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Rappahannock County, VA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.3 — 2685th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Virginia, it ranks 121st of 133 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rappahannock County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 59.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 59.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Economic Vitality 57.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 25
Business Formation Rate 30
House Price Change (YoY) 37
Housing Cost Burden 35.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 30
Consumer Credit Distress 24.4
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 63
Uninsured Rate 69
Subprime Credit Population 22
Structural Poverty 15.7
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 21
Transfer Income Dependency 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rappahannock County
Rappahannock County, VA 31.3 Healthy —
Page County, VA 53.3 Elevated +21.9
Culpeper County, VA 48.5 Normal +17.2
Warren County, VA 38.2 Normal +6.9
Fauquier County, VA 28.9 Healthy -2.4
Madison County, VA 26.4 Healthy -4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rappahannock County
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy +0.0
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy -0.0
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy -0.0
Walworth County, SD 31.3 Healthy -0.1
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rappahannock 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 Rappahannock 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 Rappahannock County, Virginia?

    Rappahannock County has a County Distress Index score of 31.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,685th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 121st in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rappahannock County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rappahannock County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 59.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Rappahannock County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rappahannock County (31.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Page County, VA (53.3); Culpeper County, VA (48.5); Warren County, VA (38.2).

  • 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 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). Rappahannock County's score of 31.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Rappahannock 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 Rappahannock County?

    Rappahannock County, Virginia has a population of approximately 7,414 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.