Worth County, Missouri

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.8 | 1,907 people · 98th most distressed in Missouri
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Worth County, MO falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.8 — 2377th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Missouri, it ranks 98th of 115 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Worth County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 64.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 64.1
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 73
Child Poverty Rate 64
Disability Rate 92
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Economic Vitality 63.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 45
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Legal Distress 62.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 62
Consumer Credit Distress 31.8
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 60
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 69
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 11.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 25
Homeownership Rate 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Worth County
Worth County, MO 36.8 Normal —
Harrison County, MO 45.6 Normal +8.8
Nodaway County, MO 40.4 Normal +3.6
Gentry County, MO 35.7 Normal -1.1
Ringgold County, IA 34.0 Healthy -2.8
Taylor County, IA 29.6 Healthy -7.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Worth County
Broadwater County, MT 36.9 Normal +0.1
Russell County, KS 36.9 Normal +0.1
Stanton County, NE 36.9 Normal +0.1
Garfield County, WA 36.7 Normal -0.1
Stevens County, KS 36.9 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Worth 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 Worth 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 Worth County, Missouri?

    Worth County has a County Distress Index score of 36.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,377th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 98th in Missouri out of 115 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Worth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Worth County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 64.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Worth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Worth County (36.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Harrison County, MO (45.6); Nodaway County, MO (40.4); Gentry County, MO (35.7).

  • 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). Worth County's score of 36.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Worth 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 Worth County?

    Worth County, Missouri has a population of approximately 1,907 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.