Morgan County, West Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.7 | 17,649 people · 53rd most distressed in West Virginia
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Morgan County, WV falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.7 — 2379th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within West Virginia, it ranks 53rd of 55 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Morgan County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 45.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 45.0
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 53
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Consumer Credit Distress 40.3
Debt in Collections 42
Medical Debt 72
Auto Loan Delinquency 19
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 61
Economic Vitality 38.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 25
Business Formation Rate 47
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 28.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28
Housing Cost Burden 26.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 15
Homeownership Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Morgan County
Morgan County, WV 36.7 Normal —
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated +21.5
Berkeley County, WV 57.9 Elevated +21.1
Allegany County, MD 57.4 Elevated +20.6
Hampshire County, WV 42.9 Normal +6.1
Frederick County, VA 37.4 Normal +0.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Morgan County
Lavaca County, TX 36.7 Normal -0.0
Latah County, ID 36.7 Normal -0.1
Fluvanna County, VA 36.8 Normal +0.1
Nelson County, VA 36.8 Normal +0.1
Polk County, MN 36.6 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County, West Virginia?

    Morgan County has a County Distress Index score of 36.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,379th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in West Virginia out of 55 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Morgan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Morgan County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 45.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Morgan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Morgan County (36.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Washington County, MD (58.2); Berkeley County, WV (57.9); Allegany County, MD (57.4).

  • 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). Morgan County's score of 36.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Morgan 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 Morgan County?

    Morgan County, West Virginia has a population of approximately 17,649 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.