Pike County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.6 | 17,935 people · 68th most distressed in Missouri
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Pike County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.6 — 1806th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 68th 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. Pike County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 54.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 54.1
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 37
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 50
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Consumer Credit Distress 52.6
Debt in Collections 66
Medical Debt 93
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 44
Uninsured Rate 58
Subprime Credit Population 51
Legal Distress 51.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Economic Vitality 40.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Housing Cost Burden 30.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 21
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 56

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pike County
Pike County, MO 46.6 Normal —
Audrain County, MO 57.4 Elevated +10.8
Lincoln County, MO 47.1 Normal +0.5
Pike County, IL 46.5 Normal -0.1
Montgomery County, MO 44.7 Normal -1.9
Ralls County, MO 32.8 Healthy -13.8
Calhoun County, IL 20.5 Healthy -26.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pike County
Stokes County, NC 46.6 Normal +0.0
Clay County, IN 46.6 Normal +0.0
Ray County, MO 46.6 Normal +0.0
Pike County, IL 46.5 Normal -0.1
Alexander County, NC 46.7 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pike County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Pike County.

NORTH EAST COMMUNITY ACTION CORPORATION
Bowling Green
573-324-2231 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Missouri →

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 Pike 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Missouri →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Pike County, Missouri?

    Pike County has a County Distress Index score of 46.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,806th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pike County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pike County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 54.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Pike County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pike County (46.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Audrain County, MO (57.4); Lincoln County, MO (47.1); Pike County, IL (46.5).

  • 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). Pike County's score of 46.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Pike 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 Pike County?

    Pike County, Missouri has a population of approximately 17,935 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.