Williamsburg city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.0 | 15,847 people · 46th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Williamsburg city, VA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.0 — 1073rd 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 46th 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. Williamsburg city's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 92.5 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 92.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 95
Economic Vitality 82.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 94
Business Formation Rate 24
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Legal Distress 79.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 80
Structural Poverty 50.1
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 81
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Consumer Credit Distress 36.1
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 64
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 47

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Williamsburg city
Williamsburg city, VA 58.0 Elevated —
James City County, VA 39.9 Normal -18.2
York County, VA 38.2 Normal -19.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Williamsburg city
Cass County, IN 58.0 Elevated +0.0
San Miguel County, NM 58.0 Elevated +0.0
Abbeville County, SC 58.0 Elevated -0.0
Bourbon County, KS 58.0 Elevated -0.0
Tishomingo County, MS 58.1 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Williamsburg city

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 Williamsburg 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Williamsburg city, Virginia?

    Williamsburg city has a County Distress Index score of 58.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,073rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 46th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Williamsburg city?

    The primary driver of distress in Williamsburg city is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 92.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Williamsburg city compare to neighboring counties?

    Williamsburg city (58.0) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: James City County, VA (39.9); York 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 Elevated 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). Williamsburg city's score of 58.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg city?

    Williamsburg city, Virginia has a population of approximately 15,847 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.