Columbia County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.1 | 22,150 people · 32nd most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Columbia County, AR shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.1 — 484th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Arkansas, it ranks 32nd of 75 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Columbia County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 84.0 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 84.0
Debt in Collections 90
Medical Debt 91
Auto Loan Delinquency 89
Credit Card Delinquency 76
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 93
Structural Poverty 81.1
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 93
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 86
Disability Rate 80
Transfer Income Dependency 74
Legal Distress 76.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 76
Economic Vitality 46.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 77
Housing Cost Burden 32.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 74

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Columbia County
Columbia County, AR 68.1 Serious —
Webster Parish, LA 80.3 Crisis +12.2
Nevada County, AR 75.4 Serious +7.3
Claiborne Parish, LA 74.8 Serious +6.7
Union County, AR 70.7 Serious +2.6
Lafayette County, AR 68.3 Serious +0.1
Ouachita County, AR 66.8 Serious -1.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Columbia County
Bacon County, GA 68.1 Serious -0.0
Cherokee County, OK 68.1 Serious -0.0
Madison County, FL 68.2 Serious +0.0
Martin County, KY 68.1 Serious -0.1
Dyer County, TN 68.2 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Columbia 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 Columbia County residents at no cost.

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

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Columbia County has a County Distress Index score of 68.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 484th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 32nd in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Columbia County?

    The primary driver of distress in Columbia County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 84.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Columbia County compare to neighboring counties?

    Columbia County (68.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Webster Parish, LA (80.3); Nevada County, AR (75.4); Claiborne Parish, LA (74.8).

  • 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). Columbia County's score of 68.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Columbia 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 Columbia County?

    Columbia County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 22,150 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.