Newton County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.7 | 7,071 people · 73rd most distressed in Arkansas
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Newton County, AR falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.7 — 1909th 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 73rd of 75 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Newton County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 82.2 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 82.2
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 81
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 85
Disability Rate 81
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 73.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 77
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 59
Consumer Credit Distress 43.4
Debt in Collections 53
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 86
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 31
Housing Cost Burden 25.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 30
Homeownership Rate 60
Legal Distress 6.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Newton County
Newton County, AR 44.7 Normal —
Johnson County, AR 67.7 Serious +23.0
Pope County, AR 56.0 Elevated +11.3
Carroll County, AR 53.0 Elevated +8.3
Boone County, AR 52.1 Elevated +7.3
Madison County, AR 48.6 Normal +3.9
Searcy County, AR 43.8 Normal -0.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Newton County
Lincoln County, CO 44.7 Normal +0.0
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK 44.7 Normal -0.0
Loving County, TX 44.8 Normal +0.0
Presidio County, TX 44.7 Normal -0.0
Coke County, TX 44.7 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Newton County

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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 Newton 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 Newton County, Arkansas?

    Newton County has a County Distress Index score of 44.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,909th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 73rd in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Newton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Newton County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 82.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Newton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Newton County (44.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Johnson County, AR (67.7); Pope County, AR (56.0); Carroll County, AR (53.0).

  • 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 Normal 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). Newton County's score of 44.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Newton 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 Newton County?

    Newton County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 7,071 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.