Knox County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.4 | 3,723 people · 108th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Knox County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.4 — 2681st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Missouri, it ranks 108th 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. Knox County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.1
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 71
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 83
Disability Rate 38
Transfer Income Dependency 77
Economic Vitality 50.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 52
Business Formation Rate 40
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Consumer Credit Distress 33.1
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 60
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 10
Housing Cost Burden 6.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 15
Homeownership Rate 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Knox County
Knox County, MO 31.4 Healthy —
Clark County, MO 53.1 Elevated +21.7
Adair County, MO 48.5 Normal +17.1
Macon County, MO 44.3 Normal +12.9
Lewis County, MO 44.0 Normal +12.6
Scotland County, MO 32.3 Healthy +0.9
Shelby County, MO 28.2 Healthy -3.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Knox County
Clark County, KS 31.4 Healthy -0.0
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Arthur County, NE 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy -0.0
Garfield County, UT 31.4 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Knox 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 Knox 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 Knox County, Missouri?

    Knox County has a County Distress Index score of 31.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,681st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 108th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Knox County?

    The primary driver of distress in Knox County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Knox County compare to neighboring counties?

    Knox County (31.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Clark County, MO (53.1); Adair County, MO (48.5); Macon County, MO (44.3).

  • 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). Knox County's score of 31.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Knox 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 Knox County?

    Knox County, Missouri has a population of approximately 3,723 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.