Georgia Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Georgia and its 159 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Georgia? See your options under Georgia law →
Georgia ranks #7 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the most distressed fifth: its score of 88 means it is more distressed than 88% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 159 counties.
How Does Georgia Compare With the U.S.?
Georgia is above the U.S. figure on 4 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: credit card delinquency (13.9%), auto loan delinquency (7.0%), mortgage delinquency (1.27%) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,610). Credit card delinquency is 13.9%, 1.5 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $62,070, $1,130 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Georgia is up 5.6 percentage points from 8.3% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 24.8% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Georgia
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Georgia has climbed from the 6th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 3rd-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score rose from 90 to 96 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. Georgia's State Distress Index of 88 (very high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Georgia and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)Georgia and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to Georgia (#7) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgia | 88 | very high state distress | Default & Legal |
| Michigan | 92 | extreme state distress | Labor |
| Mississippi | 90 | extreme state distress | Delinquency |
| South Carolina | 86 | very high state distress | Delinquency |
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 8.3% | 13.9% | +5.6 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 6.3% | 7.0% | +0.7 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.97% | 1.27% | +0.3 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $49,720 | $62,070 | +24.8% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,470 | $4,610 | +32.9% | $4,350 |
Georgia Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Georgia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Georgia uses 'security deeds' instead of mortgages. The borrower conveys legal title to the lender at closing and gets it back upon payoff. Because the lender already holds title, it can sell through a power of sale without going to court.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: At any time before the foreclosure sale occurs — the borrower retains an equitable right of redemption (right to cure) up to the moment of sale.
- predatory lending
- foreclosure rescue fraud
Non-Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
4 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in Georgia are above the U.S. figure, and the state mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. A HUD-approved housing counselor can explain the options at no cost; the Georgia foreclosure guide lists the steps and deadlines.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Georgia on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Georgia's 159 counties average 75.8: on average, Georgia's counties are more distressed than 75% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dougherty County | 99 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Hancock County | 99 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Talbot County | 99 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Bibb County | 99 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Richmond County | 99 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
Dougherty County ranks #3 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oconee County | 1 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Forsyth County | 5 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Cherokee County | 22 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Dawson County | 32 | low-moderate county distress | Default & Legal |
| Columbia County | 32 | low-moderate county distress | Default & Legal |
The most distressed county in Georgia is Dougherty County (99, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Oconee County (1, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 159 Georgia counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Georgia
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 23,167 mortgage complaints from Georgia since 2012, 210.1 per 100,000 residents, 75.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. Georgia ranks #5 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 1,147 | 1,243 | 1,148 | 1,272 | 1,102 | 1,378 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Georgia
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Georgia's rate of 284.5 is 115.4 above the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: Georgia
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 20.8% of people with a credit file in Georgia have debt in collections, 6.9 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 23.8% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 46.8% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: Georgia
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Georgia
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Georgia scores 41 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #29 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Georgia?
The credit card delinquency rate in Georgia is 13.9% as of Q4 2025, ranking #5 among the 51 states and DC, 1.5 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 5.6 percentage points from 8.3% in Q4 2019.
How does Georgia's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $62,070 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Georgia, $1,130 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 24.8% higher than in Q4 2019. Georgia ranks #20 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Georgia?
Auto loan delinquency in Georgia is 7.0% as of Q4 2025, 1.8 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #3 of 51. The rate is up from 6.3% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Georgia use?
Georgia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Georgia foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Georgia's State Distress Index score?
Georgia scores 88 on the State Distress Index (very high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 88% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #7 of 51 jurisdictions, in the most distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Georgia?
The CFPB has received 23,167 mortgage complaints from Georgia since 2012, 210.1 per 100,000 residents, 75.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #5 of 51. Companies responded to 97.7% of Georgia complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Georgia?
Georgia had 31,593 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 284.5 per 100,000 residents, 115.4 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #5 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 45.3% and Chapter 13 for 53.4%. That is 9.1% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Georgia have debt in collections?
20.8% of people with a credit file in Georgia have debt in collections, 6.9 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #3 of 51. 23.8% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 6.9 percentage points above the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Georgia?
1,196,489 residents of Georgia received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 10.8%, the same as the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #20 of 51. That is 18.6% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 1.4 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Georgia's financial safety net?
Georgia scores 41 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #29 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (16.5% enrollment rate, non-expansion state), SNAP enrollment (10.8%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Georgia counties have the highest financial distress?
Dougherty County is the most distressed county in Georgia with a County Distress Index score of 99 · extreme county distress, ranking #3 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Hancock County (99 · extreme county distress), Talbot County (99 · extreme county distress), Bibb County (99 · extreme county distress) are next. Oconee County is the least distressed at 1 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 159 counties at /counties/georgia/.
How long can foreclosure take in Georgia?
Georgia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: At any time before the foreclosure sale occurs — the borrower retains an equitable right of redemption (right to cure) up to the moment of sale. Homestead exemption: $21,500 per debtor for bankruptcy purposes (Georgia state exemption under O.C.G.A. § 44-13-100(a)(1)). Full details at /help/foreclosure/georgia/.
Where does Georgia rank for financial distress?
Georgia scores 88 on the State Distress Index (very high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 88% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #7 of 51 jurisdictions, in the most distressed fifth. 4 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #29 (Weak), a state that has not expanded Medicaid.
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Georgia Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.