Richmond city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.5 | 229,247 people · 13th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Richmond city, VA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.5 — 294th 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 13th of 133 counties. It scores higher than all 2 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Richmond city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 94.2 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 94.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 93
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 90
Homeownership Rate 99
Legal Distress 93.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 93
Consumer Credit Distress 70.3
Debt in Collections 70
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 88
Credit Card Delinquency 70
Uninsured Rate 63
Subprime Credit Population 80
Economic Vitality 51.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 96
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Structural Poverty 47.5
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 86
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Richmond city
Richmond city, VA 72.5 Serious —
Henrico County, VA 55.5 Elevated -17.0
Chesterfield County, VA 51.3 Elevated -21.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Richmond city
Florence County, SC 72.6 Serious +0.1
San Patricio County, TX 72.6 Serious +0.1
Pitt County, NC 72.6 Serious +0.1
Ashtabula County, OH 72.3 Serious -0.2
Ector County, TX 72.3 Serious -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Richmond city

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Richmond city.

NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - RICHMOND, VA
Richmond
631-370-6222 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFair Housing
SOUTHSIDE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING
Richmond
804-231-4449 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

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 Richmond 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 Richmond city, Virginia?

    Richmond city has a County Distress Index score of 72.5 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 294th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Richmond city?

    The primary driver of distress in Richmond city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 94.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Richmond city compare to neighboring counties?

    Richmond city (72.5) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: Henrico County, VA (55.5); Chesterfield County, VA (51.3).

  • 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). Richmond city's score of 72.5 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Richmond 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 Richmond city?

    Richmond city, Virginia has a population of approximately 229,247 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.