Oklahoma Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 77 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 Oklahoma? See your options under Oklahoma law →
Oklahoma ranks #5 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 77 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Oklahoma Compare to the National Average?
Oklahoma is above the national average on 3 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 13.3% (above the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 5.5%, and total debt per capita at $43,170.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Oklahoma has risen 4.4pp and total household debt has grown 23.0%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Oklahoma
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. Oklahoma's State Distress Index of 73.8 (Most distressed fifth) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, labor, and the safety-net buffer.
Oklahoma 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)Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma (#5) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Quintile | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma | 73.8 | Most distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| District of Columbia | 75.9 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| New Mexico | 73.9 | Most distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Delaware | 72.7 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
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 | 8.9% | 13.3% | +4.4pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.6% | 5.5% | -0.1pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.25% | 1.32% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $35,110 | $43,170 | +23.0% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $2,710 | $3,460 | +27.7% | $4,350 |
Oklahoma Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Oklahoma primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
Standard residential mortgages must go through the courts. The lender files in District Court, and the county sheriff runs the auction. Non-judicial foreclosure exists for deeds of trust under the Trust Deed Act (60 O.S.
- Post-sale redemption: 6 months from the date of the sheriff's sale for residential property. Agricultu…
Court Oversight, but Rising Pressure
Despite 3 metrics exceeding national averages, Oklahoma's judicial foreclosure requirement provides court oversight that slows the process and gives homeowners more time to respond. But judicial protection doesn't prevent distress — it extends the timeline. With a credit card delinquency rate of 13.3% (#11 nationally) and a Distress Index score of 73.8 (Most distressed fifth), Oklahoma ranks #5 of 51 jurisdictions for household financial distress.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Oklahoma on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Oklahoma's 77 counties average 59.8 — above the national county mean of 50.0.
Distress Fifth Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminole County | 82.3 | Most distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Muskogee County | 80.8 | Most distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| Okmulgee County | 79.3 | Most distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| Okfuskee County | 78.8 | Most distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| McIntosh County | 78.4 | Most distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
Seminole County ranks #90 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaver County | 28.1 | Least distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Harper County | 32.4 | Least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Kingfisher County | 33.2 | Second-least distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| Roger Mills County | 34.1 | Second-least distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Texas County | 34.6 | Second-least distressed fifth | Delinquency |
The gap between Oklahoma's most and least distressed counties is 54.2 points — Seminole County (82.3, Most distressed fifth) vs. Beaver County (28.1, Least distressed fifth). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 77 Oklahoma counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Oklahoma
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 2,667 mortgage complaints from Oklahoma since 2012 — 66.3 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 129.3 per 100K. Oklahoma ranks #40 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 161 | 177 | 175 | 161 | 191 | 209 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Oklahoma
Bankruptcy filings reflect the downstream consequence of sustained financial distress — when households exhaust savings, fall behind on debt, and run out of alternatives. Oklahoma'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: Oklahoma
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 19.6% of Oklahoma residents have debt in collections — above the national rate of 13.9%. 20.5% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 45.8% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Oklahoma
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: Oklahoma
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. Oklahoma scores 44.3 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #31 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 Oklahoma?
The credit card delinquency rate in Oklahoma is 13.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #11 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 8.9% in 2019.
How does Oklahoma's household debt compare to the national average?
Oklahoma residents carry $43,170 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 23.0% since 2019. Oklahoma ranks #47 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Oklahoma?
Auto loan delinquency in Oklahoma stands at 5.5% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #21 nationally. The rate was 5.6% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Oklahoma use?
Oklahoma primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Oklahoma foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Oklahoma above or below the national average for financial distress?
Oklahoma scores 73.8 on the State Distress Index (Most distressed fifth), ranking #5 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 23.8 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 Oklahoma?
The CFPB has received 2,667 mortgage complaints from Oklahoma since 2012, a rate of 66.3 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #40 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 129.3 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.4% of Oklahoma complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma had 7,453 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 185.4 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #18 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 82.2% and Chapter 13 for 17.4%. Filings changed +15.2% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Oklahoma have debt in collections?
19.6% of individuals in Oklahoma have debt in collections, above the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #5 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 20.5% of Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma?
596,824 residents of Oklahoma receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 14.8% — above the national rate of 11.2%. This ranks #5 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -14.0% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 14.3%.
How strong is Oklahoma's financial safety net?
Oklahoma scores 44.3 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #31 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (21% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (14.8%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (exhausted), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 48.1.
Which Oklahoma counties have the highest financial distress?
Seminole County is the most distressed county in Oklahoma with a County Distress Index score of 82.3 (Most distressed fifth), ranking #90 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Muskogee County (80.8), Okmulgee County (79.3), Okfuskee County (78.8) round out the top distressed counties. Beaver County is the least distressed at 28.1 (Least distressed fifth). See all 77 counties at /counties/oklahoma/.
How long can foreclosure take in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Oklahoma, the bank can foreclose in roughly 120–210 days from first missed payment to sale — though individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs, and bankruptcy filings. Homeowners have a right to cure: You can cure the default at any time before the sheriff's sale by paying all arr…. The homestead exemption is Unlimited value. Full details at /help/foreclosure/oklahoma/.
Where does Oklahoma rank for financial distress?
Oklahoma scores 73.8 on the State Distress Index (Most distressed fifth), ranking #5 of 51 jurisdictions. 3 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Safety Net & Buffer. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #31 (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.
Oklahoma 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.