Phillips County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Crisis · 85.5 | 14,961 people · 2nd most distressed in Arkansas
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Phillips County, AR ranks among the most financially distressed counties in America with a score of 85.5 — 15th 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 2nd of 75 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Phillips 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 90
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 91.0
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 91
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 53
Subprime Credit Population 95
Housing Cost Burden 81.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 89
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 95
Legal Distress 78.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 78
Economic Vitality 59.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 54
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 27
House Price Change (YoY) 59

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Phillips County
Phillips County, AR 85.5 Crisis —
Tunica County, MS 88.5 Crisis +3.0
Coahoma County, MS 85.7 Crisis +0.2
Bolivar County, MS 84.7 Crisis -0.8
Lee County, AR 83.7 Crisis -1.9
Desha County, AR 79.8 Serious -5.8
Monroe County, AR 74.6 Serious -10.9
Arkansas County, AR 67.9 Serious -17.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Phillips County
Baldwin County, GA 85.4 Crisis -0.1
Coahoma County, MS 85.7 Crisis +0.2
Crittenden County, AR 85.8 Crisis +0.3
Hopewell city, VA 86.0 Crisis +0.4
Washington County, MS 86.1 Crisis +0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Phillips County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Phillips County.

SOUTHERN BANCORP COMMUNITY PARTNERS
West Helena
870-816-1126 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

See all counselors in Arkansas →

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 Phillips 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Arkansas →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Phillips County, Arkansas?

    Phillips County has a County Distress Index score of 85.5 out of 100, placing it in the Crisis zone. It ranks 15th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Phillips County?

    The primary driver of distress in Phillips 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 Phillips County compare to neighboring counties?

    Phillips County (85.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Tunica County, MS (88.5); Coahoma County, MS (85.7); Bolivar County, MS (84.7).

  • 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 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). Phillips County's score of 85.5 sits in the Crisis zone (86 and above).

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

    Phillips 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 Phillips County?

    Phillips County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 14,961 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.