Gentry County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.7 | 6,287 people · 99th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Gentry County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.7 — 2437th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 99th of 115 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gentry County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 55.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 55.2
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 58
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 59
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Legal Distress 41.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Economic Vitality 39.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Consumer Credit Distress 36.3
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 82
Subprime Credit Population 43
Housing Cost Burden 18.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 10
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 48

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gentry County
Gentry County, MO 35.7 Normal —
Harrison County, MO 45.6 Normal +9.9
DeKalb County, MO 41.0 Normal +5.2
Nodaway County, MO 40.4 Normal +4.7
Worth County, MO 36.8 Normal +1.1
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal -0.6
Daviess County, MO 31.6 Healthy -4.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gentry County
Hamilton County, IL 35.7 Normal 0.0
Warren County, IN 35.8 Normal +0.0
Pawnee County, NE 35.8 Normal +0.0
Gallatin County, IL 35.7 Normal -0.1
Rice County, KS 35.6 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gentry 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 Gentry 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 Gentry County, Missouri?

    Gentry County has a County Distress Index score of 35.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,437th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 99th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gentry County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gentry County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 55.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Gentry County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gentry County (35.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Harrison County, MO (45.6); DeKalb County, MO (41.0); Nodaway County, MO (40.4).

  • 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). Gentry County's score of 35.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Gentry 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 Gentry County?

    Gentry County, Missouri has a population of approximately 6,287 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.