Holt County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.6 | 4,248 people · 111th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Holt County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.6 — 2779th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Missouri, it ranks 111th of 115 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Holt County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 45.6 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 45.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Economic Vitality 42.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 31
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 39.8
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 30
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 83
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Consumer Credit Distress 31.2
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 61
Subprime Credit Population 11
Housing Cost Burden 9.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 16
Homeownership Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Holt County
Holt County, MO 29.6 Healthy —
Doniphan County, KS 42.0 Normal +12.4
Nodaway County, MO 40.4 Normal +10.8
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal +5.5
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy +4.7
Richardson County, NE 32.3 Healthy +2.6
Atchison County, MO 27.7 Healthy -1.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Holt County
San Miguel County, CO 29.6 Healthy 0.0
Liberty County, MT 29.6 Healthy +0.0
Valley County, NE 29.6 Healthy +0.0
Garden County, NE 29.6 Healthy -0.1
Taylor County, IA 29.6 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Holt 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 Holt 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 Holt County, Missouri?

    Holt County has a County Distress Index score of 29.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,779th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 111th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Holt County?

    The primary driver of distress in Holt County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 45.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Holt County compare to neighboring counties?

    Holt County (29.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Doniphan County, KS (42.0); Nodaway County, MO (40.4); Andrew County, MO (35.2).

  • 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). Holt County's score of 29.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Holt 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 Holt County?

    Holt County, Missouri has a population of approximately 4,248 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.