Chariton County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.5 | 7,399 people · 114th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Chariton County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.5 — 2868th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Missouri, it ranks 114th of 115 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Chariton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Structural Poverty 41.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 51
Child Poverty Rate 26
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 60
Economic Vitality 39.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Consumer Credit Distress 23.0
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 46
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 44
Subprime Credit Population 13
Housing Cost Burden 11.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 11
Homeownership Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Chariton County
Chariton County, MO 27.5 Healthy —
Saline County, MO 63.4 Elevated +35.9
Randolph County, MO 61.8 Elevated +34.3
Howard County, MO 50.4 Elevated +22.9
Macon County, MO 44.3 Normal +16.8
Carroll County, MO 43.2 Normal +15.7
Linn County, MO 42.9 Normal +15.4
Livingston County, MO 41.0 Normal +13.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Chariton County
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy -0.1
Potter County, SD 27.6 Healthy +0.1
Meade County, KS 27.3 Healthy -0.2
Wheeler County, NE 27.3 Healthy -0.2
Atchison County, MO 27.7 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Chariton 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 Chariton 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 Chariton County, Missouri?

    Chariton County has a County Distress Index score of 27.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,868th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 114th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Chariton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Chariton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Chariton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Chariton County (27.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Saline County, MO (63.4); Randolph County, MO (61.8); 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 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). Chariton County's score of 27.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Chariton 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 Chariton County?

    Chariton County, Missouri has a population of approximately 7,399 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.