Delaware County, Oklahoma

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.3 | 41,703 people · 17th most distressed in Oklahoma
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Delaware County, OK shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.2 — 475th 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 17th of 77 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Delaware County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 83.0 — worse than roughly 83% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 83.0
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 89
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 90
Disability Rate 89
Transfer Income Dependency 85
Consumer Credit Distress 77.7
Debt in Collections 73
Medical Debt 86
Auto Loan Delinquency 89
Credit Card Delinquency 65
Uninsured Rate 88
Subprime Credit Population 73
Economic Vitality 58.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 69
Business Formation Rate 45
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Legal Distress 57.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Housing Cost Burden 46.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 42

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Delaware County
Delaware County, OK 68.3 Serious —
Adair County, OK 74.9 Serious +6.7
Ottawa County, OK 71.5 Serious +3.2
Cherokee County, OK 68.1 Serious -0.2
Mayes County, OK 60.3 Elevated -8.0
Craig County, OK 57.7 Elevated -10.5
McDonald County, MO 55.8 Elevated -12.4
Benton County, AR 34.2 Healthy -34.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Delaware County
Whitley County, KY 68.2 Serious -0.1
Dyer County, TN 68.2 Serious -0.1
Madison County, FL 68.2 Serious -0.1
Okeechobee County, FL 68.3 Serious +0.1
Columbia County, AR 68.1 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Delaware County

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Delaware County has a County Distress Index score of 68.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 475th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in Oklahoma out of 77 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Delaware County?

    The primary driver of distress in Delaware County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 83.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Delaware County compare to neighboring counties?

    Delaware County (68.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Adair County, OK (74.9); Ottawa County, OK (71.5); Cherokee County, OK (68.1).

  • 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). Delaware County's score of 68.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Delaware 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 Delaware County?

    Delaware County, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 41,703 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.