Lee County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Crisis · 83.7 | 8,201 people · 3rd most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Lee County, AR ranks among the most financially distressed counties in America with a score of 83.7 — 25th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Arkansas, it ranks 3rd of 75 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lee County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 94.3 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 94.3
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 92
Housing Cost Burden 88.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 85
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 94
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 82
Homeownership Rate 91
Consumer Credit Distress 86.8
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 91
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 82
Legal Distress 58.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Economic Vitality 58.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 93
Business Formation Rate 52
House Price Change (YoY) 59

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lee County
Lee County, AR 83.7 Crisis —
Tunica County, MS 88.5 Crisis +4.9
Crittenden County, AR 85.8 Crisis +2.2
Phillips County, AR 85.5 Crisis +1.9
St. Francis County, AR 83.3 Crisis -0.3
Monroe County, AR 74.6 Serious -9.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lee County
Noxubee County, MS 83.5 Crisis -0.2
East Carroll Parish, LA 82.9 Crisis -0.7
Bullock County, AL 82.5 Crisis -1.2
Randolph County, GA 84.9 Crisis +1.3
Wilkinson County, MS 81.5 Crisis -2.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lee 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 Lee 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 Lee County, Arkansas?

    Lee County has a County Distress Index score of 83.7 out of 100, placing it in the Crisis zone. It ranks 25th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lee County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 94.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lee County (83.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Tunica County, MS (88.5); Crittenden County, AR (85.8); Phillips County, AR (85.5).

  • 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 Crisis 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). Lee County's score of 83.7 sits in the Crisis zone (86 and above).

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

    Lee 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 Lee County?

    Lee County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 8,201 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.