Callaway County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.8 | 44,731 people · 66th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Callaway County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.8 — 1789th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Missouri, it ranks 66th of 115 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Callaway County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 57.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 57.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Consumer Credit Distress 55.0
Debt in Collections 56
Medical Debt 78
Auto Loan Delinquency 58
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 57
Housing Cost Burden 40.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 40
Structural Poverty 33.1
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 39
Economic Vitality 33.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 55
House Price Change (YoY) 53

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Callaway County
Callaway County, MO 46.8 Normal —
Audrain County, MO 57.4 Elevated +10.6
Boone County, MO 46.9 Normal +0.1
Montgomery County, MO 44.7 Normal -2.1
Cole County, MO 32.5 Healthy -14.4
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy -27.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Callaway County
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal +0.0
Madison County, OH 46.9 Normal +0.0
Colusa County, CA 46.8 Normal -0.1
Salem city, VA 47.0 Normal +0.1
Fayette County, TX 46.7 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Callaway 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 Callaway 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 Callaway County, Missouri?

    Callaway County has a County Distress Index score of 46.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,789th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Callaway County?

    The primary driver of distress in Callaway County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 57.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Callaway County compare to neighboring counties?

    Callaway County (46.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Audrain County, MO (57.4); Boone County, MO (46.9); Montgomery County, MO (44.7).

  • 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). Callaway County's score of 46.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Callaway 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 Callaway County?

    Callaway County, Missouri has a population of approximately 44,731 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.