Christian County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.2 | 94,422 people · 95th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Christian County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.2 — 2300th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Missouri, it ranks 95th of 115 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Christian County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 56.1 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 56.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 66
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 41
Economic Vitality 47.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 77
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Legal Distress 43.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 34.4
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 41
Structural Poverty 13.0
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 21
Transfer Income Dependency 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Christian County
Christian County, MO 38.2 Normal —
Taney County, MO 63.4 Elevated +25.2
Greene County, MO 57.7 Elevated +19.5
Douglas County, MO 52.8 Elevated +14.6
Lawrence County, MO 47.1 Normal +9.0
Webster County, MO 44.9 Normal +6.7
Stone County, MO 39.5 Normal +1.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Christian County
York County, VA 38.2 Normal -0.0
Walworth County, WI 38.2 Normal +0.0
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal +0.0
Linn County, IA 38.1 Normal -0.1
Garfield County, CO 38.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Christian 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 Christian 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 →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Christian County has a County Distress Index score of 38.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,300th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 95th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Christian County?

    The primary driver of distress in Christian County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 56.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Christian County compare to neighboring counties?

    Christian County (38.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Taney County, MO (63.4); Greene County, MO (57.7); Douglas County, MO (52.8).

  • 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). Christian County's score of 38.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Christian 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 Christian County?

    Christian County, Missouri has a population of approximately 94,422 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.