Stone County, Arkansas

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.1 | 12,671 people · 63rd most distressed in Arkansas
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Stone County, AR registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.1 — 1393rd 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 63rd of 75 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stone County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 87.3 — worse than roughly 87% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 87.3
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 77
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 83
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 67.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 79
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 53.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 51.9
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 63
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 59
Subprime Credit Population 57
Housing Cost Burden 28.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 21
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 44

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stone County
Stone County, AR 53.1 Elevated —
Van Buren County, AR 64.3 Elevated +11.2
Independence County, AR 59.3 Elevated +6.2
Izard County, AR 59.2 Elevated +6.1
Baxter County, AR 54.2 Elevated +1.1
Cleburne County, AR 49.4 Normal -3.7
Searcy County, AR 43.8 Normal -9.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stone County
Marion County, IL 53.1 Elevated 0.0
Seneca County, NY 53.1 Elevated -0.0
Amelia County, VA 53.1 Elevated +0.0
Accomack County, VA 53.0 Elevated -0.0
Vernon County, MO 53.1 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stone 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 Stone 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 Stone County, Arkansas?

    Stone County has a County Distress Index score of 53.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,393rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Arkansas out of 75 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stone County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stone County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 87.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Stone County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stone County (53.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Van Buren County, AR (64.3); Independence County, AR (59.3); Izard County, AR (59.2).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Stone County's score of 53.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Stone 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 Stone County?

    Stone County, Arkansas has a population of approximately 12,671 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.