In Jackson County, Missouri, rent on a two-bedroom takes about one in four dollars of the typical household's income
In Jackson County, 26.3% of the median household's income would go to rent on a two-bedroom at HUD's fair market rent (HUD and Census Bureau, HUD rent fiscal year 2027; household income 2024). That is higher than in 88% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 73% of U.S. counties.
What drives Jackson County's score
In Jackson County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 84.9. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 26.3% of the median household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 88% of U.S. counties. Collections and bankruptcy comes next, at 73.7.
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.
Jackson County does better than most counties on two measures: adults 25 to 54 not working (17.0%, 2020 to 2024) and people with a disability (13.8%, 2020 to 2024).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Jackson 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.
- 84.9 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 income26.3% · fiscal year 202788th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent23.7% · 2020 to 202481st percentile
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- 73.7 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector30.9% · August 202576th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people184 · 202570th percentile
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- 72.2 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind7.3% · August 202576th percentile
- People with a credit card behind6.7% · August 202568th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score28.9% · Q4 202571st percentile
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- 51.8 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line19.0% · 202460th percentile
- People with a disability13.8% · 2020 to 202429th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$70,661 · 202439th percentile
- People below the poverty line14.3% · 202459th percentile
- People without health insurance10.7% · 2020 to 202470th percentile
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- 36.0 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working17.0% · 2020 to 202427th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average3.9% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202645th 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 Jackson 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
Jackson County
Missouri
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Jackson County in 2024, pay from work was 62 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 17 cents. Benefit checks were 21 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 7 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Jackson County, benefit checks rose from 7 to 21 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Jackson County, Missouri: 21.1% and 61.9% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 21.1% of all personal income in Jackson 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 Jackson County, 15.9% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Jackson County has changed
The number of people living in Jackson County grew by about 11% between 1969 and 2024, from 652,604 to 727,362. The number of jobs located there stayed about the same from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment fell from 5.3% in 1990 to 4.2% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 652,604 | 2024 727,362 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 364,613 | 2024 375,574 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 5.3% | 2025 4.2% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 13.4% | 2024 14.3% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $27,200 | 2024 $70,661 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 7.3% | 2024 21.1% |
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 Jackson County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 717,204, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
1826
Organized December 15, 1826. Wikipedia
1830
Native Americans forced west by Indian Removal Act 1830. Wikipedia
1833
Mormons forced out by mob violence 1833. Wikipedia
1957
Tornado: $2.5 million in property damage, 37 deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
1996
Thunderstorm wind: $10 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
1998
Flash flood: $20 million in property damage, nine deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
1999
Flash flood: one death. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1965
26 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Jackson County, 18 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Jackson County beside its neighbors
Of the seven counties that border Jackson County, in Missouri and Kansas, one scores higher. For the share of income from benefit checks, Jackson County ranks 5th of the eight; Lafayette County is highest, at 29.4%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wyandotte County, KS | 89 | 15.0% | 25.8% |
| Jackson County, MO | 73 | 14.3% | 21.1% |
| Lafayette County, MO | 54 | 9.7% | 29.4% |
| Ray County, MO | 45 | 9.0% | 26.4% |
| Cass County, MO | 34 | 7.0% | 19.8% |
| Clay County, MO | 33 | 8.9% | 17.3% |
| Johnson County, MO | 28 | 11.8% | 24.0% |
| Johnson County, KS | 5 | 6.0% | 10.4% |
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 Jackson County the poorest county in Missouri?
No, Jackson County's poverty rate was 14.3% in 2024, 53rd 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, Jackson County ranks 21st of 115 in the state.
Jackson County in photographs
Places in Jackson County from Wikimedia Commons, each captioned in its photographer's own words.
Jackson County 16th Circuit courthouse in Kansas City, Missouri.
Jackson County, Missouri: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Jackson County, Missouri?
14.3% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in seven people. Among children it was 19.0%.
Is Jackson County the poorest county in Missouri?
No, Jackson County's poverty rate was 14.3% in 2024, 53rd 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, Jackson County ranks 21st of 115 in the state.
What is the population of Jackson County, Missouri?
About 727,362 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 717,204, 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 Jackson 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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Community Services League
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Credit & Homeownership Empowerment Services, Inc.
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Legal Aid of Western Missouri
Legal aid
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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 Jackson 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 Jackson County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.