Tennessee Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Tennessee and its 95 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 Tennessee? See your options under Tennessee law →
Tennessee ranks #26 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 50 means it is more distressed than 50% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 95 counties.
How Does Tennessee Compare With the U.S.?
Tennessee is above the U.S. figure on 1 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: auto loan delinquency (5.7%). Credit card delinquency is 11.6%, 0.8 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $56,690, $6,510 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Tennessee is up 3.8 percentage points from 7.8% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 33.4% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Tennessee
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Tennessee has eased from the 7th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 22nd-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 88 to 58 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. Tennessee's State Distress Index of 50 (moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Tennessee 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)Tennessee 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 Tennessee (#26) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tennessee | 50 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Arkansas | 54 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Ohio | 48 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
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 | 7.8% | 11.6% | +3.8 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.8% | 5.7% | +0.9 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.88% | 0.72% | −0.16 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $42,500 | $56,690 | +33.4% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $2,760 | $3,710 | +34.4% | $4,350 |
Tennessee Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Tennessee mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Tennessee is primarily a non-judicial foreclosure state. The vast majority of Tennessee residential foreclosures proceed as trustee's sales under the power of sale contained in the deed of trust, governed by TCA § 35-5-101 et seq.
- Post-sale redemption: Within two years after the sale, unless the deed of trust expressly waives it. A mortgage can waive it the same way, and a waiver of the 'equity of redemption' or similar words is enough (TCA § 66-8-101(3)). In a court foreclosure, the court can order a credit sale that, once confirmed, carries no right of redemption (TCA § 66-8-101(2)).
How Tennessee Sits Among the States
Tennessee's credit card delinquency rate is 11.6%, 0.8 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #22 of 51. 1 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 50 (moderate state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Tennessee on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Tennessee's 95 counties average 65.1: on average, Tennessee's counties are more distressed than 65% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hardeman County | 98 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Lauderdale County | 98 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Lake County | 97 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Shelby County | 96 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Cocke County | 93 | extreme county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Hardeman County ranks #37 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamson County | 1 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Wilson County | 23 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Moore County | 25 | low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Loudon County | 30 | low-moderate county distress | Default & Legal |
| Blount County | 34 | low-moderate county distress | Default & Legal |
The most distressed county in Tennessee is Hardeman County (98, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Williamson County (1, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 95 Tennessee counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Tennessee
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 6,643 mortgage complaints from Tennessee since 2012, 93.2 per 100,000 residents, 41.8 below the U.S. rate of 135. Tennessee ranks #30 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 348 | 392 | 362 | 337 | 393 | 478 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Tennessee
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. Tennessee's rate of 303.6 is 134.5 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: Tennessee
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 17.3% of people with a credit file in Tennessee have debt in collections, 3.4 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 19.4% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 42.5% 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: Tennessee
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: Tennessee
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. Tennessee scores 31.8 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #41 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 Tennessee?
The credit card delinquency rate in Tennessee is 11.6% as of Q4 2025, ranking #22 among the 51 states and DC, 0.8 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.8 percentage points from 7.8% in Q4 2019.
How does Tennessee's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $56,690 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Tennessee, $6,510 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 33.4% higher than in Q4 2019. Tennessee ranks #29 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Tennessee?
Auto loan delinquency in Tennessee is 5.7% as of Q4 2025, 0.5 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #15 of 51. The rate is up from 4.8% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Tennessee use?
Tennessee mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Tennessee foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Tennessee's State Distress Index score?
Tennessee scores 50 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 50% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #26 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 Tennessee?
The CFPB has received 6,643 mortgage complaints from Tennessee since 2012, 93.2 per 100,000 residents, 41.8 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #30 of 51. Companies responded to 97.9% of Tennessee complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Tennessee?
Tennessee had 21,638 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 303.6 per 100,000 residents, 134.5 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #3 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 42.6% and Chapter 13 for 56.6%. That is 8.6% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Tennessee have debt in collections?
17.3% of people with a credit file in Tennessee have debt in collections, 3.4 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #11 of 51. 19.4% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 2.5 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 Tennessee?
602,167 residents of Tennessee received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 8.4%, 2.4 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #35 of 51. That is 11.7% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 3.7 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Tennessee's financial safety net?
Tennessee scores 31.8 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #41 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18% enrollment rate, non-expansion state), SNAP enrollment (8.4%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Tennessee counties have the highest financial distress?
Hardeman County is the most distressed county in Tennessee with a County Distress Index score of 98 · extreme county distress, ranking #37 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Lauderdale County (98 · extreme county distress), Lake County (97 · extreme county distress), Shelby County (96 · extreme county distress) are next. Williamson County is the least distressed at 1 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 95 counties at /counties/tennessee/.
How long can foreclosure take in Tennessee?
Tennessee 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. Full details at /help/foreclosure/tennessee/.
Where does Tennessee rank for financial distress?
Tennessee scores 50 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 50% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #26 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle fifth. 1 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 #41 (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.
Tennessee 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.