Missaukee County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.3 | 15,311 people · 41st most distressed in Michigan
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Missaukee County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.3 — 1825th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Michigan, it ranks 41st of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Missaukee County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 54.8 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 54.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Structural Poverty 53.8
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 70
Transfer Income Dependency 70
Economic Vitality 45.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 50
Consumer Credit Distress 45.2
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 55
Credit Card Delinquency 54
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 50
Housing Cost Burden 41.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 67
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 35
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Missaukee County
Missaukee County, MI 46.3 Normal —
Clare County, MI 60.0 Elevated +13.7
Osceola County, MI 54.4 Elevated +8.1
Kalkaska County, MI 54.0 Elevated +7.7
Roscommon County, MI 52.2 Elevated +5.9
Wexford County, MI 52.2 Elevated +5.9
Crawford County, MI 50.0 Elevated +3.7
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy -11.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Missaukee County
Cass County, IA 46.3 Normal +0.0
Red Willow County, NE 46.3 Normal +0.0
Bandera County, TX 46.3 Normal -0.0
Parke County, IN 46.4 Normal +0.1
Kent County, MD 46.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Missaukee County

Find an Attorney

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-968-0738

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Missaukee County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid & Defender Association of Detroit 313-967-5555
Michigan Legal Help / Wolverine Legal Aid
Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan 248-548-3838
Michigan Advocacy Program 616-774-0672
Legal Services of South Central Michigan 734-665-6181
Lakeshore Legal Aid (888) 783-8190
Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) 774-0672
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (800) 322-4512
Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. (906) 786-2303

Self-Help Resources

Michigan Legal Help — Foreclosure Self-help guides and interactive tools for Michigan foreclosure process and defenses
MSHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs, counselor referrals, and MIHAF information

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 Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Missaukee County, Michigan?

    Missaukee County has a County Distress Index score of 46.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,825th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Missaukee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Missaukee County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 54.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Missaukee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Missaukee County (46.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clare County, MI (60.0); Osceola County, MI (54.4); Kalkaska County, MI (54.0).

  • 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). Missaukee County's score of 46.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Missaukee 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 Missaukee County?

    Missaukee County, Michigan has a population of approximately 15,311 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.