Boone County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.9 | 189,463 people · 65th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Boone County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.9 — 1781st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Missouri, it ranks 65th of 115 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Boone County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 86.3 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 86.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 94
Legal Distress 40.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 39.2
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 49
Auto Loan Delinquency 42
Credit Card Delinquency 28
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 38
Economic Vitality 34.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 38
Business Formation Rate 25
House Price Change (YoY) 49
Structural Poverty 21.2
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 57
Income vs. State Median 14
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Boone County
Boone County, MO 46.9 Normal —
Randolph County, MO 61.8 Elevated +14.9
Audrain County, MO 57.4 Elevated +10.5
Howard County, MO 50.4 Elevated +3.5
Callaway County, MO 46.8 Normal -0.1
Cooper County, MO 43.1 Normal -3.8
Moniteau County, MO 33.2 Healthy -13.7
Cole County, MO 32.5 Healthy -14.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Boone County
Oconee County, SC 47.0 Normal +0.0
Harrison County, WV 46.9 Normal -0.1
Cowlitz County, WA 46.9 Normal -0.1
Santa Rosa County, FL 47.0 Normal +0.1
Chambers County, TX 46.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Boone County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Boone County.

LOVE COLUMBIA
Columbia
573-256-7662
Foreclosure PreventionHome Improvement/RehabPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Missouri →

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 Boone 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Missouri →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Boone County, Missouri?

    Boone County has a County Distress Index score of 46.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,781st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 65th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Boone County?

    The primary driver of distress in Boone County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 86.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Boone County compare to neighboring counties?

    Boone County (46.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Randolph County, MO (61.8); Audrain County, MO (57.4); Howard County, MO (50.4).

  • 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). Boone County's score of 46.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Boone 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 Boone County?

    Boone County, Missouri has a population of approximately 189,463 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.