Atchison County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.7 | 5,107 people · 113th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Atchison County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.7 — 2862nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Missouri, it ranks 113th of 115 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. Atchison County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 45.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 45.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Economic Vitality 42.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 26
Business Formation Rate 55
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 41.4
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 33
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 56
Consumer Credit Distress 24.5
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 77
Subprime Credit Population 21
Housing Cost Burden 14.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 54

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Atchison County
Atchison County, MO 27.7 Healthy —
Page County, IA 42.0 Normal +14.2
Nodaway County, MO 40.4 Normal +12.6
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy +6.6
Holt County, MO 29.6 Healthy +1.9
Fremont County, IA 26.5 Healthy -1.3
Otoe County, NE 26.2 Healthy -1.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Atchison County
Osceola County, IA 27.8 Healthy +0.0
Beaver County, UT 27.8 Healthy +0.1
Potter County, SD 27.6 Healthy -0.1
Logan County, KS 27.9 Healthy +0.2
Phillips County, MT 27.9 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Atchison County

Find an Attorney

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

Missouri Bar — Lawyer Referral Service 573-635-4128

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Atchison County residents at no cost.

Legal Services of Eastern Missouri 314-534-4200 (St. Louis); 1-800-444-0514 (statewide hotline)
Legal Aid of Western Missouri 816-474-6750 (Kansas City); 1-800-748-2057 (statewide hotline)
Central Missouri Legal Services 573-442-0116
The Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD) 816-474-6750
Legal Services of Southern Missouri (417) 881-1397
Mid-Missouri Legal Services Corporation (573) 442-0116

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 Atchison County, Missouri?

    Atchison County has a County Distress Index score of 27.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,862nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 113th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Atchison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Atchison County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 45.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Atchison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Atchison County (27.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Page County, IA (42.0); Nodaway County, MO (40.4); Nemaha County, NE (34.3).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Atchison County's score of 27.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Atchison 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 Atchison County?

    Atchison County, Missouri has a population of approximately 5,107 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.