Maries County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.9 | 8,430 people · 94th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Maries County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.9 — 2262nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 94th of 115 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Maries County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 51.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 51.1
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 71
Consumer Credit Distress 44.0
Debt in Collections 48
Medical Debt 66
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 62
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 22
Economic Vitality 42.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 40
House Price Change (YoY) 31
Housing Cost Burden 25.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 30
Legal Distress 20.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Maries County
Maries County, MO 38.9 Normal —
Phelps County, MO 54.7 Elevated +15.8
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal +9.3
Pulaski County, MO 47.5 Normal +8.6
Gasconade County, MO 42.1 Normal +3.2
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy -19.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Maries County
Harper County, KS 39.0 Normal +0.0
Keith County, NE 38.9 Normal -0.0
Clay County, KS 38.9 Normal -0.0
Sherman County, TX 39.0 Normal +0.0
Aleutians East Borough, AK 38.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Maries 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 Maries 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 Maries County, Missouri?

    Maries County has a County Distress Index score of 38.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,262nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 94th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Maries County?

    The primary driver of distress in Maries County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 51.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Maries County compare to neighboring counties?

    Maries County (38.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Phelps County, MO (54.7); Miller County, MO (48.2); Pulaski County, MO (47.5).

  • 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). Maries County's score of 38.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Maries 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 Maries County?

    Maries County, Missouri has a population of approximately 8,430 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.