Hot Spring County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Elevated · 62.0 | 33,258 people · 43rd most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Hot Spring County, AR registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 62.0 — 825th 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 43rd of 75 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hot Spring County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 84.3 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 84.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 84
Consumer Credit Distress 76.3
Debt in Collections 80
Medical Debt 58
Auto Loan Delinquency 84
Credit Card Delinquency 85
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 82
Structural Poverty 69.8
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 72
Income vs. State Median 34
Child Poverty Rate 68
Disability Rate 96
Transfer Income Dependency 85
Economic Vitality 38.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 79
Housing Cost Burden 29.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hot Spring County
Hot Spring County, AR 62.0 Elevated —
Clark County, AR 72.4 Serious +10.4
Dallas County, AR 72.3 Serious +10.3
Garland County, AR 69.7 Serious +7.7
Montgomery County, AR 57.8 Elevated -4.2
Grant County, AR 49.3 Normal -12.8
Saline County, AR 46.8 Normal -15.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hot Spring County
Jackson County, TX 62.0 Elevated 0.0
Perry County, MS 62.0 Elevated -0.0
Ward County, TX 62.0 Elevated +0.0
Mecklenburg County, VA 61.9 Elevated -0.1
Hardin County, TN 62.1 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Hot Spring County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Hot Spring 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 Hot Spring 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 Hot Spring County, Arkansas?

    Hot Spring County has a County Distress Index score of 62.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 825th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 43rd in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hot Spring County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hot Spring County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 84.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Hot Spring County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hot Spring County (62.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Clark County, AR (72.4); Dallas County, AR (72.3); Garland County, AR (69.7).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Hot Spring County's score of 62.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Hot Spring County's CDI score?

    Hot Spring 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 Hot Spring County?

    Hot Spring County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 33,258 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.