Saline County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.8 | 129,574 people · 71st most distressed in Arkansas
American Default Research

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Saline County, AR falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.8 — 1793rd 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 71st of 75 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Saline County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 93.5 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 93.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 93
Economic Vitality 52.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Consumer Credit Distress 49.5
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 53
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 55
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 59
Housing Cost Burden 36.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 45
Homeownership Rate 39
Structural Poverty 24.8
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 3
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 48
Transfer Income Dependency 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Saline County
Saline County, AR 46.8 Normal —
Pulaski County, AR 70.0 Serious +23.2
Garland County, AR 69.7 Serious +22.9
Hot Spring County, AR 62.0 Elevated +15.2
Perry County, AR 58.2 Elevated +11.4
Grant County, AR 49.3 Normal +2.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Saline County
Chambers County, TX 46.8 Normal +0.0
Cowlitz County, WA 46.9 Normal +0.1
Harrison County, WV 46.9 Normal +0.1
Brunswick County, NC 46.7 Normal -0.1
Boone County, MO 46.9 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Saline 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 Saline 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Saline County has a County Distress Index score of 46.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,793rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 71st in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Saline County?

    The primary driver of distress in Saline County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 93.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Saline County compare to neighboring counties?

    Saline County (46.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pulaski County, AR (70.0); Garland County, AR (69.7); Hot Spring County, AR (62.0).

  • 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). Saline County's score of 46.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Saline 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 Saline County?

    Saline County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 129,574 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.