Choctaw County, Oklahoma

County Distress Index: Serious · 71.3 | 14,276 people · 11th most distressed in Oklahoma
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Choctaw County, OK shows significant household financial distress with a score of 71.3 — 341st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Oklahoma, it ranks 11th 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. Choctaw County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 89.2 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 89.2
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 93
Income vs. State Median 93
Child Poverty Rate 92
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 88.4
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 86
Credit Card Delinquency 77
Uninsured Rate 92
Subprime Credit Population 87
Economic Vitality 58.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 82
Business Formation Rate 52
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 44.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 39
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 83
Legal Distress 23.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Choctaw County
Choctaw County, OK 71.3 Serious —
Red River County, TX 74.2 Serious +2.9
Bryan County, OK 72.8 Serious +1.5
Lamar County, TX 71.1 Serious -0.2
Atoka County, OK 68.7 Serious -2.6
Pushmataha County, OK 65.4 Serious -5.9
McCurtain County, OK 64.1 Elevated -7.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Choctaw County
Sussex County, VA 71.4 Serious +0.1
Magoffin County, KY 71.1 Serious -0.2
Union County, SC 71.4 Serious +0.2
Frio County, TX 71.1 Serious -0.2
Ottawa County, OK 71.5 Serious +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Choctaw County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Choctaw County.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE CHOCTAW NATION OF OKLAHOMA
Hugo
580-326-7521
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Oklahoma →

Find an Attorney

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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Choctaw County residents at no cost.

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

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Oklahoma →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Choctaw County has a County Distress Index score of 71.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 341st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in Oklahoma out of 77 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Choctaw County?

    The primary driver of distress in Choctaw County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 89.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Choctaw County compare to neighboring counties?

    Choctaw County (71.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Red River County, TX (74.2); Bryan County, OK (72.8); Lamar County, TX (71.1).

  • 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). Choctaw County's score of 71.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Choctaw 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 Choctaw County?

    Choctaw County, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 14,276 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.