Laclede County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Elevated · 55.5 | 36,680 people · 38th most distressed in Missouri
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Laclede County, MO registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 55.5 — 1238th 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 38th 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. Laclede County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 70.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 70.8
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 73
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 61
Disability Rate 72
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Consumer Credit Distress 63.4
Debt in Collections 68
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 71
Credit Card Delinquency 59
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 71
Legal Distress 46.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 47
Housing Cost Burden 40.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 70
Economic Vitality 36.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 31
Rent-to-Income Ratio 47
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Laclede County
Laclede County, MO 55.5 Elevated —
Texas County, MO 61.0 Elevated +5.5
Dallas County, MO 57.8 Elevated +2.3
Wright County, MO 53.9 Elevated -1.6
Pulaski County, MO 47.5 Normal -8.0
Webster County, MO 44.9 Normal -10.6
Camden County, MO 37.0 Normal -18.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Laclede County
Hancock County, MS 55.5 Elevated 0.0
Highland County, OH 55.5 Elevated 0.0
Switzerland County, IN 55.5 Elevated -0.0
Logan County, AR 55.5 Elevated -0.0
Harrison County, OH 55.6 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Laclede 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 Laclede 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 Laclede County, Missouri?

    Laclede County has a County Distress Index score of 55.5 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,238th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Laclede County?

    The primary driver of distress in Laclede County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 70.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Laclede County compare to neighboring counties?

    Laclede County (55.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Texas County, MO (61.0); Dallas County, MO (57.8); Wright County, MO (53.9).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Laclede County's score of 55.5 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Laclede 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 Laclede County?

    Laclede County, Missouri has a population of approximately 36,680 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.