Harrison County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.6 | 8,220 people · 71st most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Harrison County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.6 — 1866th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Missouri, it ranks 71st of 115 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Harrison County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 72.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 72.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 76
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 84
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 46
Homeownership Rate 57
Structural Poverty 69.3
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 69
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 85
Transfer Income Dependency 85
Economic Vitality 50.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 50
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 30.1
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 43
Legal Distress 15.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Harrison County
Harrison County, MO 45.6 Normal —
Grundy County, MO 47.5 Normal +1.8
Decatur County, IA 43.3 Normal -2.4
Worth County, MO 36.8 Normal -8.8
Gentry County, MO 35.7 Normal -9.9
Ringgold County, IA 34.0 Healthy -11.6
Mercer County, MO 34.0 Healthy -11.6
Daviess County, MO 31.6 Healthy -14.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Harrison County
Baca County, CO 45.6 Normal -0.1
Crane County, TX 45.7 Normal +0.1
Deer Lodge County, MT 45.5 Normal -0.2
Sullivan County, MO 45.4 Normal -0.2
Trimble County, KY 45.9 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Harrison 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 Harrison 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 Harrison County, Missouri?

    Harrison County has a County Distress Index score of 45.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,866th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 71st in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Harrison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Harrison County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 72.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Harrison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Harrison County (45.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Grundy County, MO (47.5); Decatur County, IA (43.3); Worth County, MO (36.8).

  • 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). Harrison County's score of 45.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Harrison 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 Harrison County?

    Harrison County, Missouri has a population of approximately 8,220 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.