Stafford County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.0 | 165,428 people · 89th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Stafford County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.0 — 2015th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Virginia, it ranks 89th of 133 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stafford County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 63.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 63.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 91
Homeownership Rate 16
Economic Vitality 62.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 13
House Price Change (YoY) 41
Legal Distress 60.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Consumer Credit Distress 36.8
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 53
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 46
Structural Poverty 7.8
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 3
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stafford County
Stafford County, VA 43.0 Normal —
Fredericksburg city, VA 65.2 Serious +22.2
Charles County, MD 61.4 Elevated +18.4
Caroline County, VA 55.2 Elevated +12.2
Spotsylvania County, VA 54.6 Elevated +11.6
Prince William County, VA 48.5 Normal +5.5
Culpeper County, VA 48.5 Normal +5.5
King George County, VA 42.4 Normal -0.6
Fauquier County, VA 28.9 Healthy -14.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stafford County
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal -0.0
Burnet County, TX 43.0 Normal +0.0
Leavenworth County, KS 43.1 Normal +0.1
Loudon County, TN 43.1 Normal +0.1
Wilson County, TN 42.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stafford 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 Stafford 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Virginia →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Stafford County, Virginia?

    Stafford County has a County Distress Index score of 43.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,015th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 89th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stafford County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stafford County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 63.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Stafford County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stafford County (43.0) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Fredericksburg city, VA (65.2); Charles County, MD (61.4); Caroline County, VA (55.2).

  • 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 Normal 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). Stafford County's score of 43.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Stafford 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 Stafford County?

    Stafford County, Virginia has a population of approximately 165,428 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.