South Carolina Financial Distress Profile 2026
Household debt, delinquency rates, and foreclosure law summary for South Carolina — compared to national averages. Data from the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel, Q4 2025.
Last updated: 2026-03-09
How Does South Carolina Compare to the National Average?
South Carolina is above the national average on 3 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 13.4% (above the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 6.2%, and total debt per capita at $59,460.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in South Carolina has risen 5.2pp and total household debt has grown 30.9%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: South Carolina
Component Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 59.0 (Elevated). South Carolina's State Distress Index of 53.1 (Elevated) is computed from 6 data dimensions covering debt performance, economic need, bankruptcy filings, employment, consumer complaints, and safety net strength.
South Carolina vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)South Carolina vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to South Carolina (#21) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | ADI Score | Zone | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 53.1 | Elevated | Debt Stress |
| Arkansas | 54.1 | Elevated | Debt Stress |
| New Jersey | 53.6 | Elevated | Labor Market |
| Pennsylvania | 52.4 | Elevated | Economic Need |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 8.2% | 13.4% | +5.2pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 6.4% | 6.2% | -0.2pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.19% | 1.15% | -0.0pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $45,420 | $59,460 | +30.9% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,020 | $4,090 | +35.4% | $4,350 |
South Carolina Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. South Carolina primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
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 →Court Oversight, but Rising Pressure
Despite 3 metrics exceeding national averages, South Carolina's judicial foreclosure requirement provides court oversight that slows the process and gives homeowners more time to respond. But judicial protection doesn't prevent distress — it extends the timeline. With a credit card delinquency rate of 13.4% (#10 nationally) and a Distress Index score of 53.1 (Elevated), the underlying pressure on South Carolina households is building.
CFPB Mortgage Complaints in South Carolina
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 5,793 mortgage complaints from South Carolina since 2012 — 107.8 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 129.3 per 100K. South Carolina ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 357 | 390 | 353 | 417 | 376 | 492 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: South Carolina
Bankruptcy filings reflect the downstream consequence of sustained financial distress — when households exhaust savings, fall behind on debt, and run out of alternatives. South Carolina's filing rate is below the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: South Carolina
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 19.3% of South Carolina residents have debt in collections — above the national rate 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. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: South Carolina
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA 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 53 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #23 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, 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 #10 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 8.2% in 2019.
How does South Carolina's household debt compare to the national average?
South Carolina residents carry $59,460 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 30.9% since 2019. South Carolina ranks #25 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in South Carolina?
Auto loan delinquency in South Carolina stands at 6.2% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #8 nationally. The rate was 6.4% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does South Carolina use?
South Carolina primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full South Carolina foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is South Carolina above or below the national average for financial distress?
South Carolina scores 53.1 on the State Distress Index (Elevated), ranking #21 of 51 jurisdictions. This composite score is built from 6 data dimensions: debt delinquency rates, SNAP enrollment, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, CFPB complaints, and safety net strength. The national American Distress Index reads 59.0 (Elevated).
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in South Carolina?
The CFPB has received 5,793 mortgage complaints from South Carolina since 2012, a rate of 107.8 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 129.3 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.4% of South Carolina complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in South Carolina?
South Carolina had 5,210 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 97.0 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #39 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 34.8% and Chapter 13 for 64.6%. Filings changed +12.3% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in South Carolina have debt in collections?
19.3% of individuals in South Carolina have debt in collections, above the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #6 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 21.9% of South Carolina residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in South Carolina?
533,298 residents of South Carolina receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 9.8% — below the national rate of 11.9%. This ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -24.0% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 10.6%.
How strong is South Carolina's financial safety net?
South Carolina scores 53 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #23 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.3% enrollment rate, non-expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.8%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 49.3.
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. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five statistically derived components. 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 (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.