DeKalb County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.0 | 9,899 people · 88th most distressed in Missouri
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DeKalb County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.0 — 2130th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Missouri, it ranks 88th of 115 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. DeKalb County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 64.8 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 64.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 48.2
Debt in Collections 40
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 87
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 42
Legal Distress 41.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Structural Poverty 34.6
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 52
Housing Cost Burden 19.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 12
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 62

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. DeKalb County
DeKalb County, MO 41.0 Normal —
Buchanan County, MO 66.3 Serious +25.3
Caldwell County, MO 43.1 Normal +2.1
Clinton County, MO 39.4 Normal -1.5
Gentry County, MO 35.7 Normal -5.2
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal -5.8
Daviess County, MO 31.6 Healthy -9.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. DeKalb County
Grant County, OR 41.0 Normal -0.0
Armstrong County, TX 40.9 Normal -0.1
Norton County, KS 40.9 Normal -0.1
Henderson County, IL 40.8 Normal -0.1
Mora County, NM 40.8 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in DeKalb 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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, Missouri?

    DeKalb County has a County Distress Index score of 41.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,130th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 88th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in DeKalb County?

    The primary driver of distress in DeKalb County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 64.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does DeKalb County compare to neighboring counties?

    DeKalb County (41.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Buchanan County, MO (66.3); Caldwell County, MO (43.1); Clinton County, MO (39.4).

  • 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 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). DeKalb County's score of 41.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    DeKalb 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 DeKalb County?

    DeKalb County, Missouri has a population of approximately 9,899 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.