South Carolina Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for South Carolina and its 46 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 South Carolina? See your options under South Carolina law →
South Carolina ranks #8 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the most distressed fifth: its score of 86 means it is more distressed than 86% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 46 counties.
How Does South Carolina Compare With the U.S.?
South Carolina is above the U.S. figure on 3 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: credit card delinquency (13.4%), auto loan delinquency (6.2%) and mortgage delinquency (1.15%). Credit card delinquency is 13.4%, 1 percentage point above the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $59,460, $3,740 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in South Carolina is up 5.2 percentage points from 8.2% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 30.9% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: South Carolina
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, South Carolina has eased from the 4th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 11th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 92 to 80 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. South Carolina's State Distress Index of 86 (very high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
South 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)South 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 South Carolina (#8) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 86 | very high state distress | Delinquency |
| Mississippi | 90 | extreme state distress | Delinquency |
| Georgia | 88 | very high state distress | Default & Legal |
| Delaware | 84 | very high state distress | Labor |
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% | 13.4% | +5.2 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 6.4% | 6.2% | −0.2 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.19% | 1.15% | −0.04 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $45,420 | $59,460 | +30.9% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,020 | $4,090 | +35.4% | $4,350 |
South Carolina Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. South Carolina mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
South Carolina is exclusively a judicial foreclosure state for residential mortgages. There is no non-judicial (power of sale) option for mortgage foreclosures in South Carolina — all foreclosures must proceed through the courts.
Full South Carolina foreclosure law guide →Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
3 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in South Carolina are above the U.S. figure. South Carolina mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts, so a lender needs a court order before a sale. Credit card delinquency is 13.4% (#9 of 51), and South Carolina ranks #8 of 51 on the State Distress Index, in the most distressed fifth.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in South Carolina on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. South Carolina's 46 counties average 76.0: on average, South Carolina's counties are more distressed than 76% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg County | 99 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Marlboro County | 98 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Bamberg County | 97 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Darlington County | 97 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Lee County | 96 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
Williamsburg County ranks #27 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County | 40 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Lancaster County | 41 | moderate-low county distress | Delinquency |
| Charleston County | 41 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Greenville County | 45 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| York County | 45 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in South Carolina is Williamsburg County (99, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Beaufort County (40, moderate-low county distress).
Explore all 46 South Carolina counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in South Carolina
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 6,181 mortgage complaints from South Carolina since 2012, 115.0 per 100,000 residents, 20 below the U.S. rate of 135. South Carolina ranks #23 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 357 | 390 | 353 | 417 | 376 | 493 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: South 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. South Carolina's rate of 97.0 is 72.1 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: South Carolina
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 19.3% of people with a credit file in South Carolina have debt in collections, 5.4 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 21.9% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 43.8% 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: South 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: South 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. South Carolina scores 24.7 out of 100 (Minimal), ranking #47 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 South Carolina?
The credit card delinquency rate in South Carolina is 13.4% as of Q4 2025, ranking #9 among the 51 states and DC, 1 percentage point above the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 5.2 percentage points from 8.2% in Q4 2019.
How does South Carolina's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $59,460 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in South Carolina, $3,740 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 30.9% higher than in Q4 2019. South Carolina ranks #25 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in South Carolina?
Auto loan delinquency in South Carolina is 6.2% as of Q4 2025, 1 percentage point above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #8 of 51. The rate is down from 6.4% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does South Carolina use?
South Carolina mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our South Carolina foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is South Carolina's State Distress Index score?
South Carolina scores 86 on the State Distress Index (very high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 86% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #8 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 South Carolina?
The CFPB has received 6,181 mortgage complaints from South Carolina since 2012, 115.0 per 100,000 residents, 20 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #23 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of South Carolina complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in South Carolina?
South Carolina had 5,210 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 97.0 per 100,000 residents, 72.1 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #39 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 34.8% and Chapter 13 for 64.6%. That is 12.3% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in South Carolina have debt in collections?
19.3% of people with a credit file in South Carolina have debt in collections, 5.4 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #6 of 51. 21.9% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 5 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 South Carolina?
489,699 residents of South Carolina received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 9.0%, 1.8 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #32 of 51. That is 14.2% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 1.6 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is South Carolina's financial safety net?
South Carolina scores 24.7 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #47 of 51 (Minimal). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.3% enrollment rate, non-expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which South Carolina counties have the highest financial distress?
Williamsburg County is the most distressed county in South Carolina with a County Distress Index score of 99 · extreme county distress, ranking #27 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Marlboro County (98 · extreme county distress), Bamberg County (97 · extreme county distress), Darlington County (97 · extreme county distress) are next. Beaufort County is the least distressed at 40 · moderate-low county distress. See all 46 counties at /counties/south-carolina/.
How long can foreclosure take in South Carolina?
South Carolina mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Homestead exemption: $50,000 in the statute, adjusted for inflation every even-numbered year (the new amounts take effect July 1). Full details at /help/foreclosure/south-carolina/.
Where does South Carolina rank for financial distress?
South Carolina scores 86 on the State Distress Index (very high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 86% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #8 of 51 jurisdictions, in the most distressed fifth. 3 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 #47 (Minimal), 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.
South 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.