Putnam County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.8 | 4,638 people · 91st most distressed in Missouri
American Default Research

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Putnam County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.8 — 2203rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Missouri, it ranks 91st 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. Putnam County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 58.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 58.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 86
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 45
Homeownership Rate 14
Structural Poverty 57.1
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 63
Income vs. State Median 68
Child Poverty Rate 64
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Economic Vitality 47.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 47
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 66
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Consumer Credit Distress 29.7
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 25
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 70
Subprime Credit Population 35
Legal Distress 7.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Putnam County
Putnam County, MO 39.8 Normal —
Appanoose County, IA 51.1 Elevated +11.3
Adair County, MO 48.5 Normal +8.7
Sullivan County, MO 45.4 Normal +5.6
Schuyler County, MO 37.0 Normal -2.8
Mercer County, MO 34.0 Healthy -5.8
Wayne County, IA 32.5 Healthy -7.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Putnam County
Van Buren County, IA 39.8 Normal -0.0
Mountrail County, ND 39.8 Normal +0.0
Ottawa County, KS 39.8 Normal +0.0
Wilson County, KS 40.0 Normal +0.2
Mason County, TX 40.1 Normal +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam County, Missouri?

    Putnam County has a County Distress Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,203rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 91st in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Putnam County?

    The primary driver of distress in Putnam County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 58.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Putnam County compare to neighboring counties?

    Putnam County (39.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Appanoose County, IA (51.1); Adair County, MO (48.5); Sullivan County, MO (45.4).

  • 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 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). Putnam County's score of 39.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Putnam 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 Putnam County?

    Putnam County, Missouri has a population of approximately 4,638 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.