Pulaski County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.5 | 53,812 people · 59th most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Pulaski County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.5 — 1746th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where debt and delinquency levels sit above the national average. Within Missouri, it ranks 59th of 115 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pulaski County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 57.2 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 57.2
Debt in Collections 66
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 38
Credit Card Delinquency 55
Uninsured Rate 67
Subprime Credit Population 76
Economic Vitality 47.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Housing Cost Burden 42.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 94
Structural Poverty 32.2
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 12
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 64
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Legal Distress 27.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pulaski County
Pulaski County, MO 47.5 Normal —
Texas County, MO 61.0 Elevated +13.6
Laclede County, MO 55.5 Elevated +8.0
Phelps County, MO 54.7 Elevated +7.2
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal +0.7
Maries County, MO 38.9 Normal -8.6
Camden County, MO 37.0 Normal -10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pulaski County
St. Joseph County, MI 47.4 Normal -0.1
Comal County, TX 47.4 Normal -0.1
Lake County, OH 47.6 Normal +0.1
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal +0.1
Porter County, IN 47.3 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, Missouri?

    Pulaski County has a County Distress Index score of 47.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,746th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pulaski County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pulaski County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 57.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Pulaski County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pulaski County (47.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Texas County, MO (61.0); Laclede County, MO (55.5); Phelps County, MO (54.7).

  • 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 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). Pulaski County's score of 47.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Pulaski 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 Pulaski County?

    Pulaski County, Missouri has a population of approximately 53,812 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.