Hempstead County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.6 | 19,343 people · 19th most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Hempstead County, AR shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.6 — 286th 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 19th of 75 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hempstead County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 88.6 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 88.6
Debt in Collections 93
Medical Debt 89
Auto Loan Delinquency 86
Credit Card Delinquency 94
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 89
Structural Poverty 73.8
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 71
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 82
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 83
Legal Distress 67.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Economic Vitality 51.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 52
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 48.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 72

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hempstead County
Hempstead County, AR 72.6 Serious —
Miller County, AR 79.3 Serious +6.7
Nevada County, AR 75.4 Serious +2.8
Howard County, AR 71.6 Serious -1.0
Little River County, AR 69.7 Serious -2.9
Lafayette County, AR 68.3 Serious -4.3
Pike County, AR 60.4 Elevated -12.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hempstead County
Drew County, AR 72.6 Serious +0.0
Evans County, GA 72.6 Serious +0.0
Johnson County, KY 72.5 Serious -0.1
Allen Parish, LA 72.7 Serious +0.1
Candler County, GA 72.5 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hempstead 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 Hempstead 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 Hempstead County, Arkansas?

    Hempstead County has a County Distress Index score of 72.6 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 286th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hempstead County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hempstead County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 88.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Hempstead County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hempstead County (72.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Miller County, AR (79.3); Nevada County, AR (75.4); Howard County, AR (71.6).

  • 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). Hempstead County's score of 72.6 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Hempstead 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 Hempstead County?

    Hempstead County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 19,343 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.