Mercer County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.0 | 3,469 people · 102nd most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Mercer County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.0 — 2526th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 102nd 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. Mercer County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 56.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 56.5
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 44
Income vs. State Median 54
Child Poverty Rate 56
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 83
Consumer Credit Distress 37.7
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 60
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 32
Economic Vitality 36.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Legal Distress 29.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Housing Cost Burden 12.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Mercer County, MO 34.0 Healthy —
Grundy County, MO 47.5 Normal +13.5
Harrison County, MO 45.6 Normal +11.6
Sullivan County, MO 45.4 Normal +11.4
Decatur County, IA 43.3 Normal +9.3
Putnam County, MO 39.8 Normal +5.8
Wayne County, IA 32.5 Healthy -1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Skagway Municipality, AK 34.0 Healthy +0.0
Ringgold County, IA 34.0 Healthy +0.0
Scott County, IL 34.0 Healthy +0.0
Emmet County, IA 33.9 Healthy -0.1
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mercer 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 Mercer 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 Mercer County, Missouri?

    Mercer County has a County Distress Index score of 34.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,526th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 102nd in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mercer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mercer County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 56.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Mercer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mercer County (34.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Grundy County, MO (47.5); Harrison County, MO (45.6); Sullivan County, MO (45.4).

  • 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). Mercer County's score of 34.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Mercer 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 Mercer County?

    Mercer County, Missouri has a population of approximately 3,469 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.