Oklahoma County, Oklahoma

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.9 | 808,866 people · 15th most distressed in Oklahoma
American Default Research

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Oklahoma County, OK shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.9 — 441st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Oklahoma, it ranks 15th of 77 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Oklahoma County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 81.6 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 81.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 83
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 65
Homeownership Rate 94
Legal Distress 78.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 78
Consumer Credit Distress 76.3
Debt in Collections 82
Medical Debt 93
Auto Loan Delinquency 66
Credit Card Delinquency 68
Uninsured Rate 85
Subprime Credit Population 72
Economic Vitality 38.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 28
Rent-to-Income Ratio 64
Business Formation Rate 8
House Price Change (YoY) 79
Structural Poverty 38.2
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 20
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oklahoma County
Oklahoma County, OK 68.9 Serious —
Pottawatomie County, OK 70.3 Serious +1.4
Lincoln County, OK 61.6 Elevated -7.3
Cleveland County, OK 57.7 Elevated -11.2
Canadian County, OK 56.7 Elevated -12.3
Logan County, OK 54.0 Elevated -14.9
Kingfisher County, OK 41.0 Normal -27.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oklahoma County
Gwinnett County, GA 68.5 Serious -0.4
Leon County, FL 68.2 Serious -0.7
Kern County, CA 69.7 Serious +0.7
Volusia County, FL 69.8 Serious +0.8
Genesee County, MI 68.0 Serious -0.9

Download Data

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

Find Help in Oklahoma County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Oklahoma County.

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF OKLAHOMA CITY AND OKLAHOMA/CANADIAN COUNTIES, INC.
Oklahoma City
405-232-0199 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OKLAHOMA CITY
Oklahoma City
405-231-4663 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma County, Oklahoma?

    Oklahoma County has a County Distress Index score of 68.9 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 441st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Oklahoma out of 77 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oklahoma County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oklahoma County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 81.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Oklahoma County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oklahoma County (68.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pottawatomie County, OK (70.3); Lincoln County, OK (61.6); Cleveland County, OK (57.7).

  • 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 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). Oklahoma County's score of 68.9 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma County?

    Oklahoma County, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 808,866 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.