Macon County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.3 | 15,161 people · 77th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Macon County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.3 — 1938th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 77th of 115 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Macon County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 50.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 50.5
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Economic Vitality 46.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 55
Rent-to-Income Ratio 29
Business Formation Rate 63
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Consumer Credit Distress 45.8
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 57
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 80
Subprime Credit Population 42
Housing Cost Burden 45.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 63
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 26
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 55
Homeownership Rate 41
Legal Distress 17.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Macon County
Macon County, MO 44.3 Normal —
Randolph County, MO 61.8 Elevated +17.5
Adair County, MO 48.5 Normal +4.2
Linn County, MO 42.9 Normal -1.4
Monroe County, MO 40.3 Normal -4.0
Knox County, MO 31.4 Healthy -12.9
Shelby County, MO 28.2 Healthy -16.1
Chariton County, MO 27.5 Healthy -16.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Macon County
Webster County, KY 44.3 Normal +0.0
Campbell County, WY 44.3 Normal +0.1
Lawrence County, IL 44.2 Normal -0.1
Tioga County, NY 44.2 Normal -0.1
Christian County, IL 44.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Macon 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 Macon 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Macon County, Missouri?

    Macon County has a County Distress Index score of 44.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,938th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 77th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Macon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Macon County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 50.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Macon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Macon County (44.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Randolph County, MO (61.8); Adair County, MO (48.5); Linn County, MO (42.9).

  • 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 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). Macon County's score of 44.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Macon 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 Macon County?

    Macon County, Missouri has a population of approximately 15,161 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.