Oktibbeha County, Mississippi

County Distress Index: Serious · 74.6 | 51,203 people · 23rd most distressed in Mississippi
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Oktibbeha County, MS shows significant household financial distress with a score of 74.6 — 199th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Mississippi, it ranks 23rd of 82 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. Oktibbeha County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 91.4 — worse than roughly 91% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 91.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 91
Housing Cost Burden 89.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 94
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 99
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 99
Consumer Credit Distress 77.5
Debt in Collections 66
Medical Debt 93
Auto Loan Delinquency 83
Credit Card Delinquency 78
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 85
Structural Poverty 51.4
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 96
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 81
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Economic Vitality 44.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 42
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 20
House Price Change (YoY) 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oktibbeha County
Oktibbeha County, MS 74.6 Serious —
Noxubee County, MS 83.5 Crisis +8.8
Winston County, MS 74.1 Serious -0.6
Clay County, MS 73.3 Serious -1.4
Lowndes County, MS 67.3 Serious -7.3
Webster County, MS 61.6 Elevated -13.1
Choctaw County, MS 59.7 Elevated -15.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oktibbeha County
Potter County, TX 74.7 Serious +0.1
Forrest County, MS 74.6 Serious -0.1
Calhoun County, AL 74.5 Serious -0.2
Bulloch County, GA 74.4 Serious -0.3
Bowie County, TX 74.3 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

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Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral 601-948-4471

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Oktibbeha County residents at no cost.

Mississippi Center for Legal Services 1-800-498-1804
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services 1-800-898-8731

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Oktibbeha County, Mississippi?

    Oktibbeha County has a County Distress Index score of 74.6 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 199th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Mississippi out of 82 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oktibbeha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oktibbeha County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 91.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Oktibbeha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oktibbeha County (74.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Noxubee County, MS (83.5); Winston County, MS (74.1); Clay County, MS (73.3).

  • 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). Oktibbeha County's score of 74.6 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Oktibbeha 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 Oktibbeha County?

    Oktibbeha County, Mississippi has a population of approximately 51,203 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.