North Carolina Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for North Carolina and its 100 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 North Carolina? See your options under North Carolina law →
North Carolina ranks #28 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 46 means it is more distressed than 46% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 100 counties.
How Does North Carolina Compare With the U.S.?
North Carolina is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: credit card delinquency (12.5%) and auto loan delinquency (6.1%). Credit card delinquency is 12.5%, 0.1 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $61,070, $2,130 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in North Carolina is up 4.3 percentage points from 8.2% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 29.2% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: North Carolina
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, North Carolina has eased from the 13th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 29th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 76 to 44 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. North Carolina's State Distress Index of 46 (moderate-low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
North Carolina 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)North Carolina 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 North Carolina (#28) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
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 | 8.2% | 12.5% | +4.3 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.7% | 6.1% | +0.4 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.89% | 0.89% | No change | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $47,260 | $61,070 | +29.2% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,120 | $4,160 | +33.3% | $4,350 |
North Carolina Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. North Carolina mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
North Carolina primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure under a power of sale in a mortgage or deed of trust: the mortgagee or trustee files a notice of hearing with the clerk of superior court, and the clerk holds a hearing before the sale can go for…
- Post-sale redemption: After the auction, the borrower can still stop the foreclosure by paying the full secured debt plus the sale expenses before the upset-bid period ends. That period ends 10 days after the sale report or the last upset bid is filed and restarts with each new upset bid; once it ends, the rights of the parties to the sale become fixed (N.C. Gen. Stat. §§ 45-21.20, 45-21.27, 45-21.29A).
- predatory lending
- foreclosure rescue fraud
How North Carolina Sits Among the States
North Carolina's credit card delinquency rate is 12.5%, 0.1 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #14 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 46 (moderate-low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in North Carolina on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. North Carolina's 100 counties average 59.8: on average, North Carolina's counties are more distressed than 59% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Edgecombe County | 99 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Halifax County | 98 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Robeson County | 97 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Washington County | 96 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Vance County | 96 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
Edgecombe County ranks #30 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Camden County | 4 | exceptionally low county distress | Delinquency |
| Currituck County | 10 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Chatham County | 11 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Dare County | 17 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Union County | 17 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in North Carolina is Edgecombe County (99, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Camden County (4, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 100 North Carolina counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in North Carolina
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 13,893 mortgage complaints from North Carolina since 2012, 128.2 per 100,000 residents, 6.8 below the U.S. rate of 135. North Carolina ranks #19 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 765 | 790 | 751 | 689 | 645 | 920 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: North Carolina
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. North Carolina's rate of 90.9 is 78.2 below 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: North Carolina
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 16.1% of people with a credit file in North Carolina have debt in collections, 2.2 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 19.9% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 41.3% 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: North Carolina
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: North Carolina
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. North Carolina scores 39.9 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #32 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 North Carolina?
The credit card delinquency rate in North Carolina is 12.5% as of Q4 2025, ranking #14 among the 51 states and DC, 0.1 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 4.3 percentage points from 8.2% in Q4 2019.
How does North Carolina's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $61,070 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in North Carolina, $2,130 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 29.2% higher than in Q4 2019. North Carolina ranks #22 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in North Carolina?
Auto loan delinquency in North Carolina is 6.1% as of Q4 2025, 0.9 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #10 of 51. The rate is up from 5.7% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does North Carolina use?
North Carolina mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our North Carolina foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is North Carolina's State Distress Index score?
North Carolina scores 46 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 46% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #28 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle 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 North Carolina?
The CFPB has received 13,893 mortgage complaints from North Carolina since 2012, 128.2 per 100,000 residents, 6.8 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #19 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of North Carolina complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in North Carolina?
North Carolina had 9,847 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 90.9 per 100,000 residents, 78.2 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #41 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 35.1% and Chapter 13 for 63.5%. That is 14.5% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in North Carolina have debt in collections?
16.1% of people with a credit file in North Carolina have debt in collections, 2.2 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #15 of 51. 19.9% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 3 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 North Carolina?
1,245,356 residents of North Carolina received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 11.3%, 0.6 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #15 of 51. That is 7.8% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.2 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is North Carolina's financial safety net?
North Carolina scores 39.9 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #32 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (19.5% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (11.3%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which North Carolina counties have the highest financial distress?
Edgecombe County is the most distressed county in North Carolina with a County Distress Index score of 99 · extreme county distress, ranking #30 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Halifax County (98 · extreme county distress), Robeson County (97 · extreme county distress), Washington County (96 · extreme county distress) are next. Camden County is the least distressed at 4 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 100 counties at /counties/north-carolina/.
How long can foreclosure take in North Carolina?
North Carolina mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Homestead exemption: $35,000 per individual debtor (two spouses who are both debtors can each claim up to $35,000); an unmarried debtor age 65 or older may claim up to $60,000 if the property was previously owned as tenants by the entireties or joint tenants with right of survivorship and the former co-owner has died. Full details at /help/foreclosure/north-carolina/.
Where does North Carolina rank for financial distress?
North Carolina scores 46 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 46% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #28 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle fifth. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Delinquency. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #32 (Weak).
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.
North Carolina 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.