South Carolina Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 46 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in South Carolina? See your options under South Carolina law →
South Carolina ranks #4 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 46 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
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
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 composite State Distress Index score fell from 75.7 to 67.3 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 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. South Carolina's State Distress Index of 74.9 (high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
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 (#4) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina | 74.9 | high state distress | Delinquency |
| Louisiana | 84.7 | very high state distress | Delinquency |
| Florida | 80.1 | very high state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Mississippi | 73.7 | high state distress | Delinquency |
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 74.9 (high state distress), South Carolina ranks #4 of 51 jurisdictions for household financial distress.
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 66.8 — above the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Williamsburg County | 90.5 | extreme county distress | Delinquency |
| Bamberg County | 85.6 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Marlboro County | 84.7 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Orangeburg County | 83.2 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Lee County | 82.4 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
Williamsburg County ranks #12 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort County | 42.5 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Charleston County | 43.9 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Oconee County | 45.1 | moderate-low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Greenville County | 47.0 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Lancaster County | 47.6 | moderate-low county distress | Labor |
The gap between South Carolina's most and least distressed counties is 48.0 points — Williamsburg County (90.5, extreme county distress) vs. Beaufort County (42.5, moderate-low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 46 South Carolina counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in South Carolina
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 6,048 mortgage complaints from South Carolina since 2012 — 112.6 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. South Carolina ranks #24 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| 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 Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. 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 52.2 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #21 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 74.9 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), ranking #4 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 24.9 points above the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in South Carolina?
The CFPB has received 6,048 mortgage complaints from South Carolina since 2012, a rate of 112.6 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #24 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.3% 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?
495,445 residents of South Carolina receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 9.1% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -12.7% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 10.6%.
How strong is South Carolina's financial safety net?
South Carolina scores 52.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #21 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.3% enrollment rate, non-expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.1%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
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 90.5 · extreme county distress, ranking #12 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Bamberg County (85.6 · very high county distress), Marlboro County (84.7 · very high county distress), Orangeburg County (83.2 · very high county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Beaufort County is the least distressed at 42.5 · moderate-low county distress. See all 46 counties at /counties/south-carolina/.
How long can foreclosure take in South Carolina?
South Carolina uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In South Carolina, the bank can foreclose in roughly 240–365 days from first missed payment to sale — though individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs, and bankruptcy filings. Homeowners have a right to cure: The borrower may cure the default and stop the foreclosure at any time before th…. The homestead exemption is $50,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/south-carolina/.
Where does South Carolina rank for financial distress?
South Carolina scores 74.9 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), ranking #4 of 51 jurisdictions. 3 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Delinquency. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #21 (Moderate) — non-Medicaid-expansion state.
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 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 (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.