Missouri Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Missouri and its 115 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Missouri? See your options under Missouri law →
Missouri ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-least distressed fifth: its score of 38 means it is more distressed than 38% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 115 counties.
How Does Missouri Compare With the U.S.?
Missouri is above the U.S. figure on 1 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: auto loan delinquency (5.5%). Credit card delinquency is 11.3%, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $49,420, $13,780 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Missouri is up 3.7 percentage points from 7.7% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 22.4% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Missouri
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Missouri has eased from the 17th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 32nd-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 68 to 38 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. Missouri's State Distress Index of 38 (low-moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Missouri and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)Missouri and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to Missouri (#32) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 38 | low-moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Rhode Island | 42 | moderate-low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Virginia | 40 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Washington | 36 | low-moderate state distress | Labor |
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 7.7% | 11.3% | +3.7 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.8% | 5.5% | +0.8 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.77% | 0.84% | +0.07 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $40,380 | $49,420 | +22.4% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $2,800 | $3,550 | +26.8% | $4,350 |
Missouri Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Missouri mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Missouri is a non-judicial foreclosure state. Most home foreclosures proceed as trustee's sales under the power of sale in the deed of trust (RSMo § 443.290 et seq.), with no court involvement.
- Post-sale redemption: Up to one year after a trustee's sale, but only if the lender or someone buying for it bought the home at the sale, you gave the trustee written notice of your intent to redeem at the sale or within 10 days before the advertised sale date, and you post a bond approved by the circuit court within 20 days after the sale (RSMo §§ 443.410, 443.420). To redeem, you must pay the debt and interest, plus what the buyer paid on prior liens and for taxes and assessments, and the legal charges and costs of the sale.
How Missouri Sits Among the States
Missouri's credit card delinquency rate is 11.3%, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #24 of 51. 1 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 38 (low-moderate state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Missouri on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Missouri's 115 counties average 49.7: on average, Missouri's counties are more distressed than 49% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pemiscot County | 99 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Mississippi County | 98 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Dunklin County | 96 | extreme county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Wayne County | 96 | extreme county distress | Labor |
| Ripley County | 95 | extreme county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Pemiscot County ranks #5 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osage County | 3 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| St. Charles County | 8 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Andrew County | 10 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Cole County | 10 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Chariton County | 10 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
The most distressed county in Missouri is Pemiscot County (99, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Osage County (3, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 115 Missouri counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Missouri
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 5,617 mortgage complaints from Missouri since 2012, 90.7 per 100,000 residents, 44.3 below the U.S. rate of 135. Missouri ranks #31 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 256 | 278 | 293 | 288 | 248 | 318 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Missouri
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Missouri's rate of 171.3 is 2.2 above the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: Missouri
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 16.6% of people with a credit file in Missouri have debt in collections, 2.7 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 17.5% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 40.0% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: Missouri
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Missouri
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. Missouri scores 28.1 out of 100 (Minimal), ranking #46 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Missouri?
The credit card delinquency rate in Missouri is 11.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #24 among the 51 states and DC, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.7 percentage points from 7.7% in Q4 2019.
How does Missouri's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $49,420 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Missouri, $13,780 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 22.4% higher than in Q4 2019. Missouri ranks #37 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Missouri?
Auto loan delinquency in Missouri is 5.5% as of Q4 2025, 0.4 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #16 of 51. The rate is up from 4.8% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Missouri use?
Missouri mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Missouri foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Missouri's State Distress Index score?
Missouri scores 38 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 38% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-least distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Missouri?
The CFPB has received 5,617 mortgage complaints from Missouri since 2012, 90.7 per 100,000 residents, 44.3 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #31 of 51. Companies responded to 98.4% of Missouri complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Missouri?
Missouri had 10,613 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 171.3 per 100,000 residents, 2.2 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #22 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 56% and Chapter 13 for 43.2%. That is 10.9% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Missouri have debt in collections?
16.6% of people with a credit file in Missouri have debt in collections, 2.7 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #14 of 51. 17.5% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 0.6 percentage points above the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Missouri?
613,127 residents of Missouri received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 9.9%, 0.9 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #27 of 51. That is 7.1% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.8 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Missouri's financial safety net?
Missouri scores 28.1 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #46 of 51 (Minimal). The score combines Medicaid coverage (16.9% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.9%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Missouri counties have the highest financial distress?
Pemiscot County is the most distressed county in Missouri with a County Distress Index score of 99 · extreme county distress, ranking #5 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Mississippi County (98 · extreme county distress), Dunklin County (96 · extreme county distress), Wayne County (96 · extreme county distress) are next. Osage County is the least distressed at 3 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 115 counties at /counties/missouri/.
How long can foreclosure take in Missouri?
Missouri mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Homestead exemption: $15,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/missouri/.
Where does Missouri rank for financial distress?
Missouri scores 38 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 38% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-least distressed fifth. 1 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #46 (Minimal).
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. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Missouri 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 (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.