Arkansas Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 75 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Arkansas? See your options under Arkansas law →
Arkansas ranks #20 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 75 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Arkansas Compare to the National Average?
Arkansas is above the national average on 3 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 13.8% (above the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 5.6%, and total debt per capita at $43,090.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Arkansas has risen 4.1pp and total household debt has grown 26.9%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Arkansas
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005. Arkansas's State Distress Index of 60.2 (Second-most distressed fifth) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, labor, and the safety-net buffer.
Arkansas vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Arkansas vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Arkansas (#20) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 9.7% | 13.8% | +4.1pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.5% | 5.6% | +0.1pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.96% | 1.08% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $33,950 | $43,090 | +26.9% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $2,530 | $3,310 | +30.8% | $4,350 |
Arkansas Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Arkansas primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
Arkansas has two foreclosure tracks: (1) Non-judicial trustee's sale under A.C.A. § 18-50-101 et seq. (Act 53 of 1987) — used for trust deeds with a power of sale clause, by far the most common path for residential foreclosures; and (2) Judicial fore…
Full Arkansas foreclosure law guide →Compressed Timeline, Higher Risk
With 3 of 5 tracked metrics above national averages and non-judicial foreclosure, Arkansas homeowners face a compressed timeline if they fall behind. In non-judicial states, the bank can move from missed payment to sale in as little as 60 to 120 days — leaving less room to negotiate loss mitigation or find legal help. Arkansas's State Distress Index score of 60.2 (Second-most distressed fifth) reflects this combination of higher delinquency and limited procedural protection.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Arkansas on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Arkansas's 75 counties average 65.5 — above the national county mean of 50.0.
Distress Fifth Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phillips County | 91.2 | Most distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| Crittenden County | 89.9 | Most distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| Desha County | 89.2 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Lee County | 87.4 | Most distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| St. Francis County | 86.3 | Most distressed fifth | Delinquency |
Phillips County ranks #7 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County | 27.7 | Least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Saline County | 40.7 | Second-least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Grant County | 44.5 | Second-least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Searcy County | 44.6 | Second-least distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Washington County | 45.6 | Middle fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between Arkansas's most and least distressed counties is 63.6 points — Phillips County (91.2, Most distressed fifth) vs. Benton County (27.7, Least distressed fifth). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 75 Arkansas counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Arkansas
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 1,786 mortgage complaints from Arkansas since 2012 — 58.2 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 129.3 per 100K. Arkansas ranks #45 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 104 | 119 | 114 | 108 | 114 | 150 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Arkansas
Bankruptcy filings reflect the downstream consequence of sustained financial distress — when households exhaust savings, fall behind on debt, and run out of alternatives. Arkansas's filing rate exceeds the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Arkansas
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 18.3% of Arkansas residents have debt in collections — above the national rate of 13.9%. 21.2% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 46.1% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Arkansas
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Arkansas
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Arkansas scores 37 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #40 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Arkansas?
The credit card delinquency rate in Arkansas is 13.8% as of Q4 2025, ranking #6 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 9.7% in 2019.
How does Arkansas's household debt compare to the national average?
Arkansas residents carry $43,090 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 26.9% since 2019. Arkansas ranks #49 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Arkansas?
Auto loan delinquency in Arkansas stands at 5.6% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #16 nationally. The rate has risen from 5.5% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Arkansas use?
Arkansas primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full Arkansas foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Arkansas above or below the national average for financial distress?
Arkansas scores 60.2 on the State Distress Index (Second-most distressed fifth), ranking #20 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 10.2 points above the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, labor, and safety net and buffer. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Arkansas?
The CFPB has received 1,786 mortgage complaints from Arkansas since 2012, a rate of 58.2 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #45 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 129.3 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.6% of Arkansas complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Arkansas?
Arkansas had 6,997 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 228.1 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #9 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 42.9% and Chapter 13 for 55.8%. Filings changed +6.5% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Arkansas have debt in collections?
18.3% of individuals in Arkansas have debt in collections, above the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #7 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 21.2% of Arkansas residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Arkansas?
225,116 residents of Arkansas receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 7.3% — below the national rate of 11.2%. This ranks #42 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -5.9% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 11.3%.
How strong is Arkansas's financial safety net?
Arkansas scores 37 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #40 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (24.4% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (7.3%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (exhausted), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 48.1.
Which Arkansas counties have the highest financial distress?
Phillips County is the most distressed county in Arkansas with a County Distress Index score of 91.2 (Most distressed fifth), ranking #7 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Crittenden County (89.9), Desha County (89.2), Lee County (87.4) round out the top distressed counties. Benton County is the least distressed at 27.7 (Least distressed fifth). See all 75 counties at /counties/arkansas/.
How long can foreclosure take in Arkansas?
Arkansas uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. Timeline varies by county and complexity. Homeowners have a right to cure: Under the non-judicial track, the borrower has 30 days from the Notice of Defaul…. The homestead exemption is Unlimited value. Full details at /help/foreclosure/arkansas/.
Where does Arkansas rank for financial distress?
Arkansas scores 60.2 on the State Distress Index (Second-most distressed fifth), ranking #20 of 51 jurisdictions. 3 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #40 (Weak).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Arkansas Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.