About one in four people in Benton County, Missouri, has a disability
In Benton County, 24.8% of people reported a disability (Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2020 to 2024). That is higher than in 95% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 87% of U.S. counties.
What drives Benton County's score
In Benton County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 87.0. About one in four renters (28.2%, 2020 to 2024) pays half their income or more in rent, a higher share than in 94% of U.S. counties. Jobs come next, at 85.5.
The County Distress Index combines five things we measure for every county: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each gets a score from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the worse off the county is compared with others.
Benton County does better than most counties on two measures: people with a subprime credit score (19.0%, Q4 2025) and bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people (102.2, 2025).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Benton County ranks among all 3,144 U.S. counties on that measure, as a percentile: the share of counties it is higher than. A longer bar means more trouble.
- 87.0 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorHUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027; renters, 2020–24 Census survey
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income24.3% · fiscal year 202779th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent28.2% · 2020 to 202494th percentile
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- 85.5 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working33.0% · 2020 to 202494th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average4.8% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202676th percentile
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- 80.0 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line21.0% · 202468th percentile
- People with a disability24.8% · 2020 to 202495th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$49,634 · 202491st percentile
- People below the poverty line18.8% · 202483rd percentile
- People without health insurance9.2% · 2020 to 202460th percentile
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- 62.7 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind6.2% · August 202564th percentile
- People with a credit card behind9.7% · August 202594th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score19.0% · Q4 202529th percentile
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- 48.2 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector25.7% · August 202559th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people102.2 · 202537th percentile
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Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Aug 2026.
Where the money in Benton County comes from
The Bureau of Economic Analysis adds up all the income that reaches the people of a county and splits it three ways: pay from work, income from investments and rent, and benefit checks.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Benton County
Missouri
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Benton County in 2024, pay from work was 46 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 15 cents. Benefit checks were 39 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 20 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Benton County, benefit checks rose from 20 to 39 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Benton County, Missouri: 39.1% and 46.2% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 39.1% of all personal income in Benton County, Missouri (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC4).
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Benton County, 31.4% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Benton County has changed
The number of people living in Benton County more than doubled between 1969 and 2024, from 9,812 to 20,614. The number of jobs located there grew by about 41% from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment fell from 8.3% in 1990 to 5.4% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 9,812 | 2024 20,614 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 2,657 | 2024 3,736 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 8.3% | 2025 5.4% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 18.4% | 2024 18.8% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $16,291 | 2024 $49,634 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 19.7% | 2024 39.1% |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices. We don't chart the distress score over time because it compares counties at one moment.
Dated events in Benton County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 19,394, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
1835
County organized January 3, 1835. Wikipedia
1931
Lake of the Ozarks reservoir created 1931, Truman Reservoir dam 1964-1979. Wikipedia
1996
Flash flood: two deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
2004
Thunderstorm wind: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
2004
Thunderstorm wind: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
2009
Flash flood: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1973
21 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Benton County, 11 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Benton County beside its neighbors
Benton County scores higher than all six counties that border it. For the share of income from benefit checks, Benton County ranks 3rd of the seven; Hickory County is highest, at 46.9%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benton County, MO | 87 | 18.8% | 39.1% |
| Hickory County, MO | 87 | 16.0% | 46.9% |
| Morgan County, MO | 78 | 16.4% | 32.8% |
| Pettis County, MO | 64 | 15.7% | 29.6% |
| Henry County, MO | 61 | 14.4% | 33.8% |
| St. Clair County, MO | 53 | 16.0% | 40.0% |
| Camden County, MO | 35 | 11.6% | 30.6% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Aug 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Benton County the poorest county in Missouri?
No, Benton County's poverty rate was 18.8% in 2024, 15th highest of 115 in Missouri (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Dunklin County, at 25.4%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Benton County ranks 10th of 115 in the state.
Benton County, Missouri: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Benton County, Missouri?
18.8% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in five people. Among children it was 21.0%.
Is Benton County the poorest county in Missouri?
No, Benton County's poverty rate was 18.8% in 2024, 15th highest of 115 in Missouri (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Dunklin County, at 25.4%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Benton County ranks 10th of 115 in the state.
What is the population of Benton County, Missouri?
About 20,614 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 19,394, the most of any census.
How is the County Distress Index calculated?
We rank every U.S. county on 14 federal measures of money trouble, grouped into five equally weighted parts, and average them. The published score is the share of the other 3,143 counties with a lower average. The methodology lists every measure and its source.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Benton County
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor works at a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counseling to avoid foreclosure is free, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage company and understand what it offers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauSourceCFPB.
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The Legal Aid and Defender Association (LAD)
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Counseling to avoid foreclosure is free. Our help directory lists 1,311 approved agencies by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Download the CSV for Benton County · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Aug 2026, built from HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Our methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Benton County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.