Cole County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.5 | 77,278 people · 105th most distressed in Missouri
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Cole County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.5 — 2619th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Missouri, it ranks 105th of 115 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cole County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 41.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 41.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Consumer Credit Distress 38.6
Debt in Collections 42
Medical Debt 78
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 36
Housing Cost Burden 35.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 79
Structural Poverty 15.9
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 22
Economic Vitality 11.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cole County
Cole County, MO 32.5 Healthy —
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal +15.7
Boone County, MO 46.9 Normal +14.4
Callaway County, MO 46.8 Normal +14.4
Moniteau County, MO 33.2 Healthy +0.7
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy -12.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cole County
Marathon County, WI 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Bingham County, ID 32.6 Healthy +0.1
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy +0.2
Ogle County, IL 32.7 Healthy +0.2
Carroll County, MD 32.3 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cole 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 Cole 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 Cole County, Missouri?

    Cole County has a County Distress Index score of 32.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,619th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 105th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cole County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cole County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 41.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Cole County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cole County (32.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Miller County, MO (48.2); Boone County, MO (46.9); Callaway County, MO (46.8).

  • 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 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). Cole County's score of 32.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cole 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 Cole County?

    Cole County, Missouri has a population of approximately 77,278 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.