Shelby County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.2 | 5,931 people · 112th most distressed in Missouri
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Shelby County, MO ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.2 — 2841st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 112th of 115 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Shelby County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 53.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 53.8
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 63
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 57
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Economic Vitality 32.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 25.9
Debt in Collections 32
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 65
Subprime Credit Population 37
Housing Cost Burden 18.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 31
Homeownership Rate 47
Legal Distress 18.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Shelby County
Shelby County, MO 28.2 Healthy —
Marion County, MO 47.7 Normal +19.6
Macon County, MO 44.3 Normal +16.1
Lewis County, MO 44.0 Normal +15.8
Monroe County, MO 40.3 Normal +12.1
Knox County, MO 31.4 Healthy +3.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Shelby County
Phillips County, CO 28.1 Healthy -0.0
Hinsdale County, CO 28.1 Healthy -0.1
Rawlins County, KS 28.3 Healthy +0.1
Sanborn County, SD 28.0 Healthy -0.1
Burt County, NE 28.3 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Shelby 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 Shelby 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 Shelby County, Missouri?

    Shelby County has a County Distress Index score of 28.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,841st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 112th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Shelby County?

    The primary driver of distress in Shelby County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 53.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Shelby County compare to neighboring counties?

    Shelby County (28.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Marion County, MO (47.7); Macon County, MO (44.3); Lewis County, MO (44.0).

  • 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). Shelby County's score of 28.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Shelby 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 Shelby County?

    Shelby County, Missouri has a population of approximately 5,931 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.