Washington County, Oklahoma

County Distress Index: Elevated · 55.2 | 53,706 people · 55th most distressed in Oklahoma
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Washington County, OK registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 55.2 — 1255th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Oklahoma, it ranks 55th of 77 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 74.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 74.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 75
Housing Cost Burden 68.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 81
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 63
Consumer Credit Distress 57.7
Debt in Collections 64
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 56
Credit Card Delinquency 42
Uninsured Rate 74
Subprime Credit Population 64
Structural Poverty 39.8
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 62
Income vs. State Median 19
Child Poverty Rate 57
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 3
Economic Vitality 18.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 4
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 50

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, OK 55.2 Elevated —
Osage County, OK 62.7 Elevated +7.4
Tulsa County, OK 61.8 Elevated +6.6
Montgomery County, KS 60.5 Elevated +5.2
Nowata County, OK 54.7 Elevated -0.5
Rogers County, OK 46.4 Normal -8.8
Chautauqua County, KS 46.0 Normal -9.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Pickaway County, OH 55.2 Elevated -0.0
Coweta County, GA 55.3 Elevated +0.1
Huron County, OH 55.3 Elevated +0.1
Madison County, MS 55.3 Elevated +0.1
Jackson County, AL 55.1 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Washington 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 Washington County, Oklahoma?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 55.2 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,255th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 55th in Oklahoma out of 77 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 74.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (55.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Osage County, OK (62.7); Tulsa County, OK (61.8); Montgomery County, KS (60.5).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 55.2 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Oklahoma has a population of approximately 53,706 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.