Jefferson County, West Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.8 | 59,787 people · 52nd most distressed in West Virginia
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Jefferson County, WV falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.8 — 2378th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within West Virginia, it ranks 52nd of 55 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jefferson County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 51.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 51.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 63
Homeownership Rate 23
Consumer Credit Distress 37.2
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 46
Economic Vitality 35.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 44
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 35
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Legal Distress 30.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Structural Poverty 14.9
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Jefferson County, WV 36.8 Normal —
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated +21.4
Berkeley County, WV 57.9 Elevated +21.1
Frederick County, VA 37.4 Normal +0.6
Clarke County, VA 33.9 Healthy -2.9
Loudoun County, VA 25.1 Healthy -11.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Otsego County, NY 36.8 Normal +0.1
McLean County, IL 36.9 Normal +0.1
Franklin County, VT 36.9 Normal +0.1
La Plata County, CO 36.4 Normal -0.4
Queen Anne's County, MD 36.4 Normal -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jefferson County

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 Jefferson 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Jefferson County has a County Distress Index score of 36.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,378th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 52nd in West Virginia out of 55 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jefferson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jefferson County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 51.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Jefferson County compare to neighboring counties?

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

  • 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). Jefferson County's score of 36.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?

    Jefferson County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 59,787 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.