The latest economic analysis by the Appalachian Regional Commission places Chattooga County in the lowest category designation – “Distressed”.

The study compares each of the 423 counties in the Appalachian Region with national averages for unemployment rates, per capita income and poverty rates over the previous three-year period.

The federal agency’s goal is to bring Appalachia — a swath along the mountain range, stretching from southern New York to northern Mississippi — to socioeconomic parity with the rest of the country. The annual designations track progress and govern grant awards.
Most of the  counties in Northwest Georgia are ranked as transitional, eligible for a 50% match from ARC on projects aimed at boosting their economic competitiveness.
Chattooga is the only county in the Appalachian Regional Commission in Georgia labeled as distressed and would be eligible for an 80% match from the agency.
The classification is applied to areas with a median income of no more than 67% of the U.S. average and a poverty rate of 150% or more of the national average.