Virginia Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Virginia and its 133 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 Virginia? See your options under Virginia law →
Virginia ranks #31 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 40 means it is more distressed than 40% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 133 counties.
How Does Virginia Compare With the U.S.?
Virginia is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: total debt per adult with a credit file ($77,060) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,770). Credit card delinquency is 9.8%, 2.5 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $77,060, $13,860 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Virginia is up 3.3 percentage points from 6.6% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 16.5% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Virginia
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Virginia has climbed from the 43rd-most distressed jurisdiction to the 35th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score rose from 16 to 32 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. Virginia's State Distress Index of 40 (moderate-low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Virginia 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)Virginia 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 Virginia (#31) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia | 40 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Indiana | 44 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Rhode Island | 42 | moderate-low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Missouri | 38 | low-moderate 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 | 6.6% | 9.8% | +3.3 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.9% | 4.6% | +0.7 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.68% | 0.65% | −0.03 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $66,140 | $77,060 | +16.5% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $4,000 | $4,770 | +19.3% | $4,350 |
Virginia Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Virginia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Virginia is a non-judicial foreclosure state. Nearly all residential foreclosures proceed by trustee's sale — the trustee named in your deed of trust can sell the property without court involvement. Judicial foreclosure exists but is rarely used.
Full Virginia foreclosure law guide →How Virginia Sits Among the States
Virginia's credit card delinquency rate is 9.8%, 2.5 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #37 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 40 (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 Virginia on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Virginia's 133 counties average 52.3: on average, Virginia's counties are more distressed than 52% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Petersburg city | 99 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Hopewell city | 99 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Franklin city | 98 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Danville city | 98 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Emporia city | 97 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
Petersburg city ranks #14 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goochland County | 2 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Loudoun County | 3 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Arlington County | 4 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Poquoson city | 4 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Falls Church city | 4 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Virginia is Petersburg city (99, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Goochland County (2, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 133 Virginia counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Virginia
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 14,576 mortgage complaints from Virginia since 2012, 167.9 per 100,000 residents, 32.9 above the U.S. rate of 135. Virginia ranks #9 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 771 | 944 | 799 | 725 | 659 | 743 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Virginia
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. Virginia's rate of 183.8 is 14.7 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: Virginia
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 11.5% of people with a credit file in Virginia have debt in collections, 2.4 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 15.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 35.3% 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: Virginia
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: Virginia
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. Virginia scores 19.5 out of 100 (Minimal), ranking #48 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 Virginia?
The credit card delinquency rate in Virginia is 9.8% as of Q4 2025, ranking #37 among the 51 states and DC, 2.5 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.3 percentage points from 6.6% in Q4 2019.
How does Virginia's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $77,060 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Virginia, $13,860 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 16.5% higher than in Q4 2019. Virginia ranks #9 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Virginia?
Auto loan delinquency in Virginia is 4.6% as of Q4 2025, 0.6 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #27 of 51. The rate is up from 3.9% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Virginia use?
Virginia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Virginia foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Virginia's State Distress Index score?
Virginia scores 40 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 40% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #31 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 Virginia?
The CFPB has received 14,576 mortgage complaints from Virginia since 2012, 167.9 per 100,000 residents, 32.9 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #9 of 51. Companies responded to 98.3% of Virginia complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Virginia?
Virginia had 15,959 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 183.8 per 100,000 residents, 14.7 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #19 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 60% and Chapter 13 for 39.5%. That is 12% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Virginia have debt in collections?
11.5% of people with a credit file in Virginia have debt in collections, 2.4 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #28 of 51. 15.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 1.2 percentage points below 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 Virginia?
750,364 residents of Virginia received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 8.6%, 2.2 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #34 of 51. That is 7.7% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.7 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Virginia's financial safety net?
Virginia scores 19.5 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #48 of 51 (Minimal). The score combines Medicaid coverage (15.4% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (8.6%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Virginia counties have the highest financial distress?
Petersburg city is the most distressed county in Virginia with a County Distress Index score of 99 · extreme county distress, ranking #14 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Hopewell city (99 · extreme county distress), Franklin city (98 · extreme county distress), Danville city (98 · extreme county distress) are next. Goochland County is the least distressed at 2 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 133 counties at /counties/virginia/.
How long can foreclosure take in Virginia?
Virginia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Homestead exemption: $50,000 for property used as your principal residence, plus $5,000 ($10,000 if you are 65 or older) in property you choose and $500 for each dependent you support. Full details at /help/foreclosure/virginia/.
Where does Virginia rank for financial distress?
Virginia scores 40 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 40% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #31 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 Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #48 (Minimal).
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.
Virginia 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.