West Virginia Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for West Virginia and its 55 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 West Virginia? See your options under West Virginia law →
West Virginia ranks #23 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 56 means it is more distressed than 56% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 55 counties.
How Does West Virginia Compare With the U.S.?
West Virginia 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 (13.7%), auto loan delinquency (5.3%) and mortgage delinquency (1.15%). Credit card delinquency is 13.7%, 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $37,850, $25,350 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in West Virginia is up 5.6 percentage points from 8.1% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 23.8% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: West Virginia
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, West Virginia has eased from the 21st-most distressed jurisdiction to the 30th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 60 to 42 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. West Virginia's State Distress Index of 56 (moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
West 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)West 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 West Virginia (#23) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Virginia | 56 | moderate state distress | Delinquency |
| Oklahoma | 60 | moderate-high state distress | Delinquency |
| New Jersey | 58 | moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Arkansas | 54 | 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 | 8.1% | 13.7% | +5.6 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.4% | 5.3% | −0.1 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.24% | 1.15% | −0.09 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $30,580 | $37,850 | +23.8% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $2,390 | $3,180 | +33.1% | $4,350 |
West Virginia Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. West Virginia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
West Virginia has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial trustee's sale under W. Va. Code § 38-1-1 et seq., the standard and most common path for residential foreclosures using deeds of trust; and (2) judicial foreclosure in circuit court.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Where West Virginia's consumer credit law (W. Va. Code § 46A-2-106) applies to your loan, the lender may not accelerate the loan, start any action or demand, or take possession of the property because of a default until 10 days after giving you written notice of your right to cure. Until those 10 days run out, you can cure the default. The statute does not itself give a right to reinstate up to the sale date. The statutory right to cure does not apply once you have been in default three or more times on the same obligation and have been given notice of that three or more times, even if the earlier defaults were cured (W. Va. Code § 46A-2-106).
Non-Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
3 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in West Virginia are above the U.S. figure, and the state mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. In West Virginia, foreclosures that finished in the second quarter of 2026 took an average of 196 days from the start of the foreclosure process to completion, according to ATTOM. A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor can explain the options at no cost; the West Virginia foreclosure guide lists the steps and deadlines.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in West Virginia on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. West Virginia's 55 counties average 64.6: on average, West Virginia's counties are more distressed than 64% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Webster County | 96 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Mingo County | 96 | extreme county distress | Labor |
| McDowell County | 94 | extreme county distress | Labor |
| Wyoming County | 93 | extreme county distress | Labor |
| Summers County | 93 | extreme county distress | Labor |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | 18 | very low county distress | Delinquency |
| Pendleton County | 24 | low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Morgan County | 27 | low county distress | Labor |
| Putnam County | 30 | low-moderate county distress | Delinquency |
| Tucker County | 35 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
The most distressed county in West Virginia is Webster County (96, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Jefferson County (18, very low county distress).
Explore all 55 West Virginia counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in West Virginia
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 1,007 mortgage complaints from West Virginia since 2012, 56.9 per 100,000 residents, 78.1 below the U.S. rate of 135. West Virginia ranks #48 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 41 | 56 | 75 | 108 | 52 | 73 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: West 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. West Virginia's rate of 100.8 is 68.3 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: West Virginia
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 16.9% of people with a credit file in West Virginia have debt in collections, 3 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 18.6% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 45.0% 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: West 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: West 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. West Virginia scores 54.2 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #11 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 West Virginia?
The credit card delinquency rate in West Virginia is 13.7% as of Q4 2025, ranking #7 among the 51 states and DC, 1.3 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 5.6 percentage points from 8.1% in Q4 2019.
How does West Virginia's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $37,850 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in West Virginia, $25,350 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 23.8% higher than in Q4 2019. West Virginia ranks #51 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in West Virginia?
Auto loan delinquency in West Virginia is 5.3% as of Q4 2025, 0.1 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #22 of 51. The rate is down from 5.4% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does West Virginia use?
West Virginia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our West Virginia foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is West Virginia's State Distress Index score?
West Virginia scores 56 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 56% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #23 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 West Virginia?
The CFPB has received 1,007 mortgage complaints from West Virginia since 2012, 56.9 per 100,000 residents, 78.1 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #48 of 51. Companies responded to 98.5% of West Virginia complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in West Virginia?
West Virginia had 1,785 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 100.8 per 100,000 residents, 68.3 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #36 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 80.3% and Chapter 13 for 17.6%. That is 10.9% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in West Virginia have debt in collections?
16.9% of people with a credit file in West Virginia have debt in collections, 3 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #12 of 51. 18.6% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 1.7 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 West Virginia?
250,742 residents of West Virginia received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 14.2%, 3.4 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #4 of 51. That is 7% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 3.1 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is West Virginia's financial safety net?
West Virginia scores 54.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #11 of 51 (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (24.1% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (14.2%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which West Virginia counties have the highest financial distress?
Webster County is the most distressed county in West Virginia with a County Distress Index score of 96 · extreme county distress. Mingo County (96 · extreme county distress), McDowell County (94 · extreme county distress), Wyoming County (93 · extreme county distress) are next. Jefferson County is the least distressed at 18 · very low county distress. See all 55 counties at /counties/west-virginia/.
How long can foreclosure take in West Virginia?
West Virginia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. In West Virginia, foreclosures that finished in the second quarter of 2026 took an average of 196 days from the start of the foreclosure process to completion, according to ATTOM. Individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs and bankruptcy filings. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Where West Virginia's consumer credit law (W. Va. Code § 46A-2-106) applies to your loan, the lender may not accelerate the loan, start any action or demand, or take possession of the property because of a default until 10 days after giving you written notice of your right to cure. Until those 10 days run out, you can cure the default. The statute does not itself give a right to reinstate up to the sale date. The statutory right to cure does not apply once you have been in default three or more times on the same obligation and have been given notice of that three or more times, even if the earlier defaults were cured (W. Va. Code § 46A-2-106). Homestead exemption: $5,000. West Virginia's homestead exemption protects up to $5,000 in value of a homestead from debts and liabilities, except debts incurred to buy the home or to build permanent improvements on it, and taxes due on it. In bankruptcy, a separate exemption protects up to $35,000 of a debtor's interest in a residence (W. Va. Code § 38-10-4). Full details at /help/foreclosure/west-virginia/.
Where does West Virginia rank for financial distress?
West Virginia scores 56 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 56% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #23 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle 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 #11 (Moderate).
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.
West 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.