Pulaski County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Serious · 70.0 | 400,009 people · 27th most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Pulaski County, AR shows significant household financial distress with a score of 70.0 — 392nd 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 27th of 75 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pulaski County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 94.6 — worse than roughly 95% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 94.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 95
Consumer Credit Distress 78.2
Debt in Collections 82
Medical Debt 54
Auto Loan Delinquency 92
Credit Card Delinquency 81
Uninsured Rate 62
Subprime Credit Population 82
Housing Cost Burden 74.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 75
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 77
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 39
Homeownership Rate 95
Structural Poverty 44.3
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 66
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 76
Disability Rate 48
Transfer Income Dependency 22
Economic Vitality 34.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 62
Business Formation Rate 9
House Price Change (YoY) 80

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pulaski County
Pulaski County, AR 70.0 Serious —
Jefferson County, AR 77.0 Serious +7.0
Faulkner County, AR 63.0 Elevated -7.0
Perry County, AR 58.2 Elevated -11.8
Lonoke County, AR 56.1 Elevated -13.9
Grant County, AR 49.3 Normal -20.7
Saline County, AR 46.8 Normal -23.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pulaski County
St. Lucie County, FL 70.2 Serious +0.2
Volusia County, FL 69.8 Serious -0.2
Kern County, CA 69.7 Serious -0.3
Jefferson Parish, LA 70.9 Serious +1.0
Oklahoma County, OK 68.9 Serious -1.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pulaski County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Pulaski County.

COMMUNITY RESOURCES TECHNICIANS, INC.
Little Rock
501-372-2611
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPost-Purchase
IN AFFORDABLE HOUSING, INCORPORATED
LITTLE ROCK
501-221-2203 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - LITTLE ROCK, AR
Little Rock
501-492-0083 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingPost-Purchase
SOUTHERN BANCORP COMMUNITY PARTNERS
Little Rock
501-406-6000 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 Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, Arkansas?

    Pulaski County has a County Distress Index score of 70.0 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 392nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pulaski County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pulaski County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 94.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Pulaski County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pulaski County (70.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, AR (77.0); Faulkner County, AR (63.0); Perry County, AR (58.2).

  • 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 Serious 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). Pulaski County's score of 70.0 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Pulaski 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 Pulaski County?

    Pulaski County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 400,009 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.