Rockbridge County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.5 | 22,358 people · 119th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Rockbridge County, VA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.5 — 2622nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Virginia, it ranks 119th of 133 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 7 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rockbridge County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 52.6 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 52.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 31
Structural Poverty 45.9
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 51
Child Poverty Rate 35
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Legal Distress 42.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Housing Cost Burden 30.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 27
Consumer Credit Distress 24.0
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 34

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rockbridge County
Rockbridge County, VA 32.5 Healthy —
Buena Vista city, VA 61.9 Elevated +29.4
Amherst County, VA 58.5 Elevated +26.1
Alleghany County, VA 47.9 Normal +15.4
Lexington city, VA 40.4 Normal +7.9
Augusta County, VA 39.8 Normal +7.3
Bedford County, VA 38.6 Normal +6.1
Nelson County, VA 36.8 Normal +4.4
Bath County, VA 30.1 Healthy -2.4
Botetourt County, VA 20.9 Healthy -11.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rockbridge County
Henry County, OH 32.5 Healthy 0.0
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Currituck County, NC 32.5 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rockbridge 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 Rockbridge 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 Rockbridge County, Virginia?

    Rockbridge County has a County Distress Index score of 32.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,622nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 119th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rockbridge County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rockbridge County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 52.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Rockbridge County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rockbridge County (32.5) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Buena Vista city, VA (61.9); Amherst County, VA (58.5); Alleghany County, VA (47.9).

  • 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). Rockbridge County's score of 32.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Rockbridge 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 Rockbridge County?

    Rockbridge County, Virginia has a population of approximately 22,358 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.