Osage County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.8 | 13,468 people · 115th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Osage County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.8 — 3078th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Missouri, it ranks 115th of 115 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Osage County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 28.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 28.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 18
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 14
Economic Vitality 26.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 17
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 87
Consumer Credit Distress 17.8
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 59
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 16
Structural Poverty 16.3
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Osage County
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy —
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal +28.4
Callaway County, MO 46.8 Normal +27.1
Montgomery County, MO 44.7 Normal +24.9
Gasconade County, MO 42.1 Normal +22.3
Maries County, MO 38.9 Normal +19.1
Cole County, MO 32.5 Healthy +12.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Osage County
Washington County, IL 19.8 Healthy -0.0
Monroe County, IL 20.1 Healthy +0.3
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy +0.3
Holmes County, OH 19.5 Healthy -0.3
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Osage 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 Osage 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 Osage County, Missouri?

    Osage County has a County Distress Index score of 19.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,078th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 115th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Osage County?

    The primary driver of distress in Osage County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 28.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Osage County compare to neighboring counties?

    Osage County (19.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Miller County, MO (48.2); Callaway County, MO (46.8); Montgomery County, MO (44.7).

  • 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). Osage County's score of 19.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Osage 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 Osage County?

    Osage County, Missouri has a population of approximately 13,468 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.