Atoka County, Oklahoma

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.7 | 14,525 people · 16th most distressed in Oklahoma
American Default Research

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Atoka County, OK shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.7 — 450th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Oklahoma, it ranks 16th of 77 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. Atoka County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 87.4 — worse than roughly 87% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 87.4
Debt in Collections 91
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 79
Credit Card Delinquency 89
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 82
Structural Poverty 81.0
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 86
Income vs. State Median 77
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 92
Transfer Income Dependency 87
Economic Vitality 61.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 62
Housing Cost Burden 36.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 43
Legal Distress 31.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Atoka County
Atoka County, OK 68.7 Serious —
Bryan County, OK 72.8 Serious +4.1
Choctaw County, OK 71.3 Serious +2.6
Pittsburg County, OK 67.9 Serious -0.8
Pushmataha County, OK 65.4 Serious -3.3
Johnston County, OK 59.1 Elevated -9.6
Coal County, OK 50.0 Elevated -18.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Atoka County
Pike County, OH 68.7 Serious -0.0
Taylor County, FL 68.8 Serious +0.0
Simpson County, MS 68.8 Serious +0.1
Curry County, NM 68.9 Serious +0.2
Campbell County, TN 68.5 Serious -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Atoka County

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Oklahoma Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Oklahoma Bar Association Lawyer Referral 405-416-7000

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Legal aid organizations serving Atoka County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid Services of Oklahoma 1-888-534-5243

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Atoka County, Oklahoma?

    Atoka County has a County Distress Index score of 68.7 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 450th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in Oklahoma out of 77 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Atoka County?

    The primary driver of distress in Atoka County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 87.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Atoka County compare to neighboring counties?

    Atoka County (68.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Bryan County, OK (72.8); Choctaw County, OK (71.3); Pittsburg County, OK (67.9).

  • 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 Serious 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). Atoka County's score of 68.7 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Atoka 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 Atoka County?

    Atoka County, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 14,525 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.