Americans appear to be going back to their pre-pandemic borrowing habits, causing total U.S. household debt to hit a record $15.24 trillion over the summer, according to a November report from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. All main sources of credit — mortgages, auto loans, student loans, and credit card balances — are headed toward, or have surpassed, pre-pandemic levels.
But reviewing the economic health of households during the high point of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020 shows that Americans took some of that pandemic-related emergency stimulus money and paid down some of their debts.Â
The result? From February to October 2020, mortgage delinquencies declined and credit scores increased. The share of people with debts in collection declined slightly, while the median amount of debt in collection increased by only $16, to $1,849, according to nonprofit think tank Urban Institute.
Debt in collection occurs when a creditor, such as a credit card issuer, writes off the debt as a loss after a certain period of non-payment, typically after 180 days, and sells it to a collection agency. The borrower’s credit score then tanks, and the stressful calls from the collection agency begin.
To identify the 50 counties where debt in collection increased the most during COVID-19, 24/7 Wall St. ranked counties by the change in median debt in collection from February 2020 to October 2020 using data from the Urban Institute’s report, “Credit Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic.” Only 2,225 counties with data were considered.
The amount of debt in collection varies geographically, but it’s typically higher in low-population areas with a sizable number of low-income earners and fewer local job opportunities relative to more densely populated and economically active areas. (This is the worst county to live in.)
For example, Elko, Nevada, a county of about 20,500 residents located 230 miles west of Salt Lake City, saw a $1,090 increase in median debt in collection from February to October 2020, to $3,754. About one in every five residents — with a credit bureau record — of this northern Nevada county had debt in collection. (Find out the counties with the most medical debt in collections.)
Median debt in collection ranged from $1,765 in Kingfisher, Oklahoma, to $3,989 in Callahan, Texas among the counties that saw household debts increase considerably.Â
Here are the counties where household debt increased the most during the COVID-19 pandemic
Click here to see our detailed methodology
50. Cooper, MO
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $880
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,301 — 351 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 23.85% — #1753 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 708 — #749 of 2225
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49. White, IL
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $892
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $1,911 — 910 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 28.51% — #1440 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 690 — #1072 of 2225
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48. Latimer, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $901
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,750 — 98 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 45.38% — #308 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 652 — #1945 of 2225
47. Texas, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $904
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,254 — 394 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 40.18% — #581 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 670 — #1554 of 2225
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46. Centre, PA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $913
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,243 — 408 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 28.78% — #1419 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 714 — #646 of 2225
45. McNairy, TN
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $915
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,316 — 335 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 42.76% — #442 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 665 — #1679 of 2225
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44. King George, VA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $917
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,030 — 49 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 24.12% — #1742 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 726 — #401 of 2225
43. Morgan, MO
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $933
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,640 — 133 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 31.50% — #1212 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 695 — #984 of 2225
Source: David Arment / iStock via Getty Images
42. La Grange, IN
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $940
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,550 — 9 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 17.56% — #2067 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 722 — #474 of 2225
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41. Eastland, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $948
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,755 — 97 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 65.26% — #2 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 608 — #2203 of 2225
Source: Arpad Benedek / iStock via Getty Images
40. Bexar, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $949
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,050 — 45 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 41.88% — #485 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 659 — #1802 of 2225
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39. Kingfisher, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $955
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $1,765 — 1188 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 39.89% — #604 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 662 — #1742 of 2225
36. Perry, IN
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $957
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,361 — 19 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 23.40% — #1774 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 713 — #669 of 2225
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
36. Duchesne, UT
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $957
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,006 — 51 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 30.57% — #1294 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 691 — #1053 of 2225
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36. Botetourt, VA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $957
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,692 — 112 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 17.33% — #2080 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 748 — #85 of 2225
35. San Miguel, NM
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $959
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,359 — 295 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 37.60% — #748 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 654 — #1885 of 2225
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34. Terrell, GA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $960
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,164 — 502 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 46.91% — #241 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 645 — #2060 of 2225
Source: BSPollard / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
33. Orange, NC
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $977
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $1,952 — 821 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 33.05% — #1076 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 676 — #1316 of 2225
32. Carroll, IL
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,010
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,679 — 116 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 22.46% — #1828 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 724 — #441 of 2225
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31. Lincoln, NM
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,014
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,287 — 365 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 46.43% — #260 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 646 — #2049 of 2225
30. Bowie, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,026
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,974 — 56 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 38.01% — #731 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 680 — #1243 of 2225
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29. Kendall, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,033
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,699 — 110 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 23.10% — #1800 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 737 — #217 of 2225
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28. Transylvania, NC
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,036
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $1,922 — 890 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 33.11% — #1070 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 678 — #1279 of 2225
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
27. Kay, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,044
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,505 — 197 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 43.33% — #403 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 672 — #1497 of 2225
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25. Union, GA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,049
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,362 — 291 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 15.40% — #2141 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 751 — #62 of 2225
25. Gallia, OH
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,049
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,171 — 489 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 21.01% — #1911 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 732 — #285 of 2225
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24. Socorro, NM
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,062
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,066 — 630 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 41.36% — #515 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 671 — #1526 of 2225
23. Canadian, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,064
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,930 — 61 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 41.76% — #492 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 656 — #1849 of 2225
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
22. Oglethorpe, GA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,078
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $1,912 — 907 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 34.21% — #984 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 660 — #1776 of 2225
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21. Elko, NV
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,090
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,754 — 5 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 20.64% — #1932 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 749 — #78 of 2225
20. Blanco, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,094
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,144 — 525 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 43.12% — #412 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 666 — #1661 of 2225
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19. McLeod, MN
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,110
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,776 — 90 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 13.88% — #2181 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 742 — #156 of 2225
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18. Madison, LA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,120
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,395 — 257 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 62.14% — #11 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 585 — #2222 of 2225
Source: BOB WESTON / iStock via Getty Images
17. Deaf Smith, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,130
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,534 — 176 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 45.18% — #318 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 640 — #2093 of 2225
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16. Pontotoc, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,148
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,571 — 159 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 44.82% — #334 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 654 — #1885 of 2225
15. Nowata, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,170
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,875 — 69 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 34.64% — #943 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 675 — #1332 of 2225
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14. Henderson, TN
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,228
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $2,817 — 77 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 41.41% — #511 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 660 — #1776 of 2225
13. Lincoln, MT
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,266
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,474 — 16 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 20.18% — #1950 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 722 — #474 of 2225
Source: csfotoimages / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
12. Shoshone, ID
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,316
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,368 — 17 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 24.44% — #1726 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 697 — #945 of 2225
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11. Pawnee, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,335
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,351 — 20 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 44.10% — #366 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 647 — #2034 of 2225
10. Monroe, TN
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,338
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,493 — 15 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 41.77% — #491 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 685 — #1156 of 2225
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9. Burleson, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,375
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,077 — 39 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 43.02% — #418 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 665 — #1679 of 2225
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8. Bonner, ID
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,377
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,049 — 46 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 15.83% — #2128 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 741 — #168 of 2225
7. Blount, TN
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,605
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,614 — 7 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 37.24% — #779 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 675 — #1332 of 2225
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6. Jefferson, MS
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,753
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,216 — 26 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 54.29% — #59 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 596 — #2217 of 2225
5. Mayes, OK
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,827
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,503 — 13 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 40.93% — #537 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 662 — #1742 of 2225
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4. Dade, GA
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,835
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,547 — 10 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 39.81% — #610 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 667 — #1638 of 2225
3. Dakota, NE
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,836
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,826 — 4 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 22.62% — #1821 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 716 — #619 of 2225
2. Lee, NC
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $1,927
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,128 — 31 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 50.00% — #140 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 667 — #1638 of 2225
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1. Callahan, TX
> Change in median debt in collection (Feb-Oct 2020): $2,479
> Median debt in collection Oct. 2020: $3,989 — 1 of #2225 counties
> Pct. ppl with debt in collection Oct. 2020: 47.95% — #204 of 2225
> Median credit score Oct. 2020: 652 — #1945 of 2225
Methodology
To identify the 50 counties where debt in collection increased the most during COVID-19, 24/7 Wall St. ranked counties by the change in median debt in collection from February 2020 to October 2020 using data from the nonprofit think tank Urban Institute’s “Credit Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic” report. Only 2,225 counties with data were considered.
Additional information for each county includes median debt in collection for October 2020; the share of people (with a credit bureau record) with any debt in collections in October; and the median credit score — median Vantage score (300 to 850) of people with a credit bureau record — in October. All data came from the Urban Institute report.Â
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