Miller County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.2 | 25,590 people · 57th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Miller County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.2 — 1697th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Missouri, it ranks 57th of 115 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Miller County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 67.0 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 67.0
Debt in Collections 69
Medical Debt 84
Auto Loan Delinquency 60
Credit Card Delinquency 72
Uninsured Rate 70
Subprime Credit Population 55
Structural Poverty 54.5
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 57
Income vs. State Median 55
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 52
Economic Vitality 36.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 9
Legal Distress 28.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Housing Cost Burden 15.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 41

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Miller County
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal —
Morgan County, MO 57.4 Elevated +9.2
Pulaski County, MO 47.5 Normal -0.7
Maries County, MO 38.9 Normal -9.3
Camden County, MO 37.0 Normal -11.2
Moniteau County, MO 33.2 Healthy -15.0
Cole County, MO 32.5 Healthy -15.7
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy -28.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Miller County
Rio Arriba County, NM 48.2 Normal 0.0
Massac County, IL 48.2 Normal -0.0
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal +0.0
Jackson County, WV 48.1 Normal -0.1
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Miller 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 Miller 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 Miller County, Missouri?

    Miller County has a County Distress Index score of 48.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,697th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 57th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Miller County?

    The primary driver of distress in Miller County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 67.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Miller County compare to neighboring counties?

    Miller County (48.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Morgan County, MO (57.4); Pulaski County, MO (47.5); Maries County, MO (38.9).

  • 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). Miller County's score of 48.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Miller 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 Miller County?

    Miller County, Missouri has a population of approximately 25,590 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.