Berkeley County, West Virginia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.9 | 132,440 people · 20th most distressed in West Virginia
American Default Research

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Berkeley County, WV registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.9 — 1087th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within West Virginia, it ranks 20th of 55 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Berkeley County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 68.5 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 68.5
Debt in Collections 69
Medical Debt 70
Auto Loan Delinquency 66
Credit Card Delinquency 82
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 72
Housing Cost Burden 63.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 71
Homeownership Rate 45
Legal Distress 53.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Economic Vitality 42.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 55
Rent-to-Income Ratio 25
Business Formation Rate 47
House Price Change (YoY) 27
Structural Poverty 24.8
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 4
Child Poverty Rate 27
Disability Rate 32
Transfer Income Dependency 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Berkeley County
Berkeley County, WV 57.9 Elevated —
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated +0.3
Frederick County, VA 37.4 Normal -20.5
Jefferson County, WV 36.8 Normal -21.1
Morgan County, WV 36.7 Normal -21.1
Clarke County, VA 33.9 Healthy -24.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Berkeley County
Washington County, TN 57.9 Elevated -0.0
Lee County, NC 57.8 Elevated -0.0
Muskegon County, MI 57.9 Elevated +0.0
Hawkins County, TN 57.9 Elevated +0.1
Hardin County, KY 58.0 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Berkeley County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Berkeley County.

TELAMON CORPORATION - MARTINSBURG BRANCH
Martinsburg
304-263-0916 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

See all counselors in West Virginia →

Find an Attorney

West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

West Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 304-558-2456

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Berkeley County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of West Virginia 1-866-255-4370
Mountain State Justice, Inc. 304-344-3144

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 West Virginia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Berkeley County, West Virginia?

    Berkeley County has a County Distress Index score of 57.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,087th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 20th in West Virginia out of 55 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Berkeley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Berkeley County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 68.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Berkeley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Berkeley County (57.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Washington County, MD (58.2); Frederick County, VA (37.4); Jefferson County, WV (36.8).

  • 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). Berkeley County's score of 57.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Berkeley 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 Berkeley County?

    Berkeley County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 132,440 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.