Clark County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.4 | 21,274 people · 21st most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Clark County, AR shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.4 — 297th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Arkansas, it ranks 21st of 75 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clark County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 87.2 — worse than roughly 87% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 87.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 87
Consumer Credit Distress 79.0
Debt in Collections 77
Medical Debt 58
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 90
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 81
Housing Cost Burden 69.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 65
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 82
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 6
Homeownership Rate 91
Structural Poverty 67.1
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 82
Income vs. State Median 35
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 81
Transfer Income Dependency 80
Economic Vitality 42.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 43

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clark County
Clark County, AR 72.4 Serious —
Nevada County, AR 75.4 Serious +3.1
Dallas County, AR 72.3 Serious -0.1
Ouachita County, AR 66.8 Serious -5.6
Hot Spring County, AR 62.0 Elevated -10.4
Pike County, AR 60.4 Elevated -12.0
Montgomery County, AR 57.8 Elevated -14.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clark County
Hale County, TX 72.3 Serious -0.1
Bradley County, AR 72.4 Serious +0.1
Warren County, NC 72.4 Serious +0.1
Candler County, GA 72.5 Serious +0.1
Johnson County, KY 72.5 Serious +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Clark County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Clark County

Find an Attorney

Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Arkansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 1-800-609-5668

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Clark County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of Arkansas 1-800-950-5817
Center for Arkansas Legal Services 1-800-950-5817

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Clark County, Arkansas?

    Clark County has a County Distress Index score of 72.4 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 297th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clark County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clark County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 87.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Clark County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clark County (72.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Nevada County, AR (75.4); Dallas County, AR (72.3); Ouachita County, AR (66.8).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Serious zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Clark County's score of 72.4 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Clark County's CDI score?

    Clark County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Clark County?

    Clark County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 21,274 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.