Dallas County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.3 | 6,185 people · 22nd most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Dallas County, AR shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.3 — 300th 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 22nd 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. Dallas County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 84.1 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 84.1
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 93
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 76
Legal Distress 84.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 84
Structural Poverty 82.5
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 84
Income vs. State Median 68
Child Poverty Rate 84
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 55.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 64
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 59
Housing Cost Burden 43.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 7
Homeownership Rate 66

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dallas County
Dallas County, AR 72.3 Serious —
Clark County, AR 72.4 Serious +0.1
Ouachita County, AR 66.8 Serious -5.5
Cleveland County, AR 63.5 Elevated -8.8
Hot Spring County, AR 62.0 Elevated -10.3
Grant County, AR 49.3 Normal -23.0
Calhoun County, AR 46.0 Normal -26.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dallas County
Turner County, GA 72.0 Serious -0.3
Hancock County, TN 72.7 Serious +0.4
Jenkins County, GA 72.7 Serious +0.4
Calhoun County, GA 71.9 Serious -0.4
Marion County, GA 71.9 Serious -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dallas 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 Dallas 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 Dallas County, Arkansas?

    Dallas County has a County Distress Index score of 72.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 300th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dallas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dallas County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 84.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Dallas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dallas County (72.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Clark County, AR (72.4); Ouachita County, AR (66.8); Cleveland County, AR (63.5).

  • 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). Dallas County's score of 72.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Dallas 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 Dallas County?

    Dallas County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 6,185 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.