Independence County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.3 | 38,320 people · 50th most distressed in Arkansas
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Independence County, AR registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.3 — 999th 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 50th of 75 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Independence County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 69.8 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 69.8
Debt in Collections 65
Medical Debt 72
Auto Loan Delinquency 83
Credit Card Delinquency 64
Uninsured Rate 67
Subprime Credit Population 67
Legal Distress 57.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Housing Cost Burden 53.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 57
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 8
Homeownership Rate 78
Structural Poverty 49.6
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 19
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 79
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Economic Vitality 35.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 66

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Independence County
Independence County, AR 59.3 Elevated —
Jackson County, AR 72.8 Serious +13.6
Lawrence County, AR 70.5 Serious +11.2
White County, AR 63.5 Elevated +4.2
Sharp County, AR 59.8 Elevated +0.5
Izard County, AR 59.2 Elevated -0.1
Stone County, AR 53.1 Elevated -6.2
Cleburne County, AR 49.4 Normal -9.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Independence County
Stephens County, OK 59.3 Elevated +0.0
Jasper County, SC 59.3 Elevated -0.0
Coosa County, AL 59.2 Elevated -0.1
Fleming County, KY 59.2 Elevated -0.1
Jennings County, IN 59.2 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Independence 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 Independence 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 Independence County, Arkansas?

    Independence County has a County Distress Index score of 59.3 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 999th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 50th in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Independence County?

    The primary driver of distress in Independence County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 69.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Independence County compare to neighboring counties?

    Independence County (59.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Jackson County, AR (72.8); Lawrence County, AR (70.5); White 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 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). Independence County's score of 59.3 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Independence 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 Independence County?

    Independence County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 38,320 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.