Monroe County, West Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.5 | 12,382 people · 33rd most distressed in West Virginia
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Monroe County, WV falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.5 — 1684th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within West Virginia, it ranks 33rd of 55 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Monroe County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 74.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 74.6
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 70
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 87
Transfer Income Dependency 85
Consumer Credit Distress 62.4
Debt in Collections 69
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 85
Credit Card Delinquency 56
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 62
Economic Vitality 38.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 23
Rent-to-Income Ratio 57
Business Formation Rate 66
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 20.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Housing Cost Burden 16.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 40
Homeownership Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Monroe County, WV 48.5 Normal —
Summers County, WV 61.3 Elevated +12.8
Greenbrier County, WV 54.6 Elevated +6.1
Alleghany County, VA 47.9 Normal -0.6
Craig County, VA 42.7 Normal -5.8
Giles County, VA 41.9 Normal -6.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Adair County, MO 48.5 Normal +0.0
Grant County, WV 48.4 Normal -0.0
Decatur County, IN 48.5 Normal +0.1
Asotin County, WA 48.4 Normal -0.1
Burleson County, TX 48.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Monroe 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 Monroe County residents at no cost.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Monroe County has a County Distress Index score of 48.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,684th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in West Virginia out of 55 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Monroe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Monroe County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 74.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Monroe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Monroe County (48.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Summers County, WV (61.3); Greenbrier County, WV (54.6); Alleghany County, VA (47.9).

  • 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). Monroe County's score of 48.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Monroe 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 Monroe County?

    Monroe County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 12,382 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.