Morgan County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.4 | 21,970 people · 33rd most distressed in Missouri
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Morgan County, MO registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.4 — 1125th 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 33rd 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. Morgan County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 70.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 70.4
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 61
Income vs. State Median 68
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 86
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Consumer Credit Distress 64.2
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 78
Credit Card Delinquency 75
Uninsured Rate 99
Subprime Credit Population 46
Economic Vitality 50.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 44
Business Formation Rate 30
House Price Change (YoY) 13
Housing Cost Burden 44.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 64
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 20
Legal Distress 38.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Morgan County
Morgan County, MO 57.4 Elevated —
Benton County, MO 62.5 Elevated +5.1
Pettis County, MO 58.0 Elevated +0.5
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal -9.2
Cooper County, MO 43.1 Normal -14.3
Camden County, MO 37.0 Normal -20.4
Moniteau County, MO 33.2 Healthy -24.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Morgan County
Letcher County, KY 57.4 Elevated -0.0
Audrain County, MO 57.4 Elevated -0.0
Southampton County, VA 57.4 Elevated -0.0
West Feliciana Parish, LA 57.5 Elevated +0.0
Clark County, KY 57.4 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Morgan 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 Morgan 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 Morgan County, Missouri?

    Morgan County has a County Distress Index score of 57.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,125th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Morgan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Morgan County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 70.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Morgan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Morgan County (57.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Benton County, MO (62.5); Pettis County, MO (58.0); Miller County, MO (48.2).

  • 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). Morgan County's score of 57.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Morgan 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 Morgan County?

    Morgan County, Missouri has a population of approximately 21,970 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.