Phelps County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.7 | 45,284 people · 41st most distressed in Missouri
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Phelps County, MO registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.7 — 1292nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Missouri, it ranks 41st of 115 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Phelps County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 81.9 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 81.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 94
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 79
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 40
Homeownership Rate 90
Structural Poverty 54.9
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 53
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Legal Distress 48.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Consumer Credit Distress 46.9
Debt in Collections 50
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 54
Credit Card Delinquency 28
Uninsured Rate 56
Subprime Credit Population 57
Economic Vitality 33.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 50
Business Formation Rate 46
House Price Change (YoY) 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Phelps County
Phelps County, MO 54.7 Elevated —
Texas County, MO 61.0 Elevated +6.4
Dent County, MO 55.4 Elevated +0.7
Crawford County, MO 55.4 Elevated +0.7
Pulaski County, MO 47.5 Normal -7.2
Gasconade County, MO 42.1 Normal -12.6
Maries County, MO 38.9 Normal -15.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Phelps County
Ohio County, KY 54.7 Elevated -0.0
Cleburne County, AL 54.7 Elevated -0.0
Jefferson County, IL 54.8 Elevated +0.1
Greenbrier County, WV 54.6 Elevated -0.1
Washington County, ID 54.8 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Phelps 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 Phelps 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 Phelps County, Missouri?

    Phelps County has a County Distress Index score of 54.7 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,292nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Phelps County?

    The primary driver of distress in Phelps County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 81.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Phelps County compare to neighboring counties?

    Phelps County (54.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Texas County, MO (61.0); Dent County, MO (55.4); Crawford County, MO (55.4).

  • 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 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). Phelps County's score of 54.7 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Phelps 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 Phelps County?

    Phelps County, Missouri has a population of approximately 45,284 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.