Washington County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.0 | 54,050 people · 85th most distressed in Virginia
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Washington County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.0 — 1896th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Virginia, it ranks 85th of 133 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 62.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 62.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 56
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 77
Legal Distress 60.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 60
Structural Poverty 59.2
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 44
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 39
Disability Rate 88
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Consumer Credit Distress 45.8
Debt in Collections 45
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 62
Uninsured Rate 42
Subprime Credit Population 43
Housing Cost Burden 22.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 43

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, VA 45.0 Normal —
Bristol city, VA 74.9 Serious +29.9
Smyth County, VA 60.1 Elevated +15.1
Sullivan County, TN 58.0 Elevated +13.0
Johnson County, TN 56.8 Elevated +11.8
Grayson County, VA 54.6 Elevated +9.6
Scott County, VA 54.5 Elevated +9.5
Russell County, VA 52.8 Elevated +7.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Aroostook County, ME 45.0 Normal +0.0
Ashland County, OH 45.0 Normal -0.0
Grundy County, IL 45.1 Normal +0.1
Crawford County, PA 45.1 Normal +0.1
Worcester County, MD 45.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Washington County.

PEOPLE INCORPORATED OF VIRGINIA
Abingdon
276-623-9000 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Washington 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 45.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,896th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 85th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 62.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (45.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Bristol city, VA (74.9); Smyth County, VA (60.1); Sullivan County, TN (58.0).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 45.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Virginia has a population of approximately 54,050 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.