Carroll County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.2 | 8,391 people · 80th most distressed in Missouri
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Carroll County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.2 — 2003rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where debt and delinquency levels sit above the national average. Within Missouri, it ranks 80th of 115 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carroll County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 52.5 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 52.5
Debt in Collections 59
Medical Debt 86
Auto Loan Delinquency 88
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 34
Legal Distress 52.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 52
Economic Vitality 50.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 26
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 43.7
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 47
Housing Cost Burden 17.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 59

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Carroll County, MO 43.2 Normal —
Saline County, MO 63.4 Elevated +20.1
Lafayette County, MO 54.5 Elevated +11.3
Ray County, MO 46.6 Normal +3.4
Caldwell County, MO 43.1 Normal -0.1
Livingston County, MO 41.0 Normal -2.2
Chariton County, MO 27.5 Healthy -15.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Decatur County, IA 43.3 Normal +0.0
Caldwell County, MO 43.1 Normal -0.1
Harding County, NM 43.4 Normal +0.2
Glasscock County, TX 43.4 Normal +0.2
Doddridge County, WV 43.5 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County, Missouri?

    Carroll County has a County Distress Index score of 43.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,003rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 80th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carroll County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carroll County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 52.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Carroll County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carroll County (43.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saline County, MO (63.4); Lafayette County, MO (54.5); Ray County, MO (46.6).

  • 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). Carroll County's score of 43.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Carroll 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 Carroll County?

    Carroll County, Missouri has a population of approximately 8,391 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.