Nowata County, Oklahoma

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.7 | 9,438 people · 56th most distressed in Oklahoma
American Default Research

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Nowata County, OK registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.7 — 1293rd 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 56th of 77 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Nowata County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 71.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 71.2
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 75
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 79
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Consumer Credit Distress 60.8
Debt in Collections 60
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 37
Credit Card Delinquency 63
Uninsured Rate 90
Subprime Credit Population 72
Economic Vitality 55.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Legal Distress 50.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50
Housing Cost Burden 32.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 56

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nowata County
Nowata County, OK 54.7 Elevated —
Montgomery County, KS 60.5 Elevated +5.8
Craig County, OK 57.7 Elevated +3.0
Labette County, KS 55.7 Elevated +1.0
Washington County, OK 55.2 Elevated +0.5
Rogers County, OK 46.4 Normal -8.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nowata County
Richmond County, VA 54.5 Elevated -0.1
Clay County, TN 54.8 Elevated +0.1
Calhoun County, WV 54.8 Elevated +0.1
Perry County, TN 54.8 Elevated +0.2
Thurston County, NE 54.5 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Nowata County has a County Distress Index score of 54.7 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,293rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 56th in Oklahoma out of 77 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nowata County?

    The primary driver of distress in Nowata County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 71.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Nowata County compare to neighboring counties?

    Nowata County (54.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Montgomery County, KS (60.5); Craig County, OK (57.7); Labette County, KS (55.7).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Nowata County's score of 54.7 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Nowata 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 Nowata County?

    Nowata County, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 9,438 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.