Missouri Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 115 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 Missouri? See your options under Missouri law →
Missouri ranks #31 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 115 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Missouri Compare to the National Average?
Missouri is above the national average on 1 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.3% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 5.5%, and total debt per capita at $49,420.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Missouri has risen 3.7pp and total household debt has grown 22.4%. Most metrics remain below the national baseline.
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 composite State Distress Index score fell from 61.6 to 47.5 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 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. Missouri's State Distress Index of 45.0 (moderate-low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Missouri 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)Missouri 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 Missouri (#31) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Missouri | 45.0 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
| North Carolina | 51.4 | moderate state distress | Delinquency |
| Indiana | 50.1 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Virginia | 44.9 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
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 | 7.7% | 11.3% | +3.7pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.8% | 5.5% | +0.8pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.77% | 0.84% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $40,380 | $49,420 | +22.4% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $2,800 | $3,550 | +26.8% | $4,350 |
Missouri Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Missouri primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
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.
Full Missouri foreclosure law guide →Strong Safety Net as Partial Buffer
Despite mixed signals in the data, Missouri's safety net score of 55.9 (Moderate) provides a partial buffer that many states lack. Medicaid covers 16.9% of the population, the Homeowner Assistance Fund remains active, and state foreclosure protections add additional guardrails. Even so, the Distress Index reads 45.0 (moderate-low state distress) — safety nets slow crises, they don't prevent them.
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 48.3 — near the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pemiscot County | 90.2 | extreme county distress | Default & Legal |
| Mississippi County | 84.4 | very high county distress | Default & Legal |
| Dunklin County | 81.9 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Wayne County | 80.8 | very high county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| St. Louis city | 78.9 | high county distress | Default & Legal |
Pemiscot County ranks #14 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Osage County | 15.2 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| St. Charles County | 23.4 | low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Cole County | 25.0 | low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Atchison County | 25.1 | low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Andrew County | 27.0 | low county distress | Default & Legal |
The gap between Missouri's most and least distressed counties is 75.0 points — Pemiscot County (90.2, extreme county distress) vs. Osage County (15.2, very low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 115 Missouri counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Missouri
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 5,518 mortgage complaints from Missouri since 2012 — 89.1 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Missouri ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| 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 Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Missouri'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: Missouri
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 16.6% of Missouri residents have debt in collections — above the national rate 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. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Missouri
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: 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 55.9 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #15 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 Missouri?
The credit card delinquency rate in Missouri is 11.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #26 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 7.7% in 2019.
How does Missouri's household debt compare to the national average?
Missouri residents carry $49,420 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 22.4% since 2019. Missouri ranks #37 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Missouri?
Auto loan delinquency in Missouri stands at 5.5% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #19 nationally. The rate has risen from 4.8% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Missouri use?
Missouri primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full Missouri foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Missouri above or below the national average for financial distress?
Missouri scores 45.0 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), ranking #31 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 5.0 points below the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Missouri?
The CFPB has received 5,518 mortgage complaints from Missouri since 2012, a rate of 89.1 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #32 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.4% of Missouri complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Missouri?
Missouri had 10,613 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 171.3 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #22 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 56% and Chapter 13 for 43.2%. Filings changed +10.9% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Missouri have debt in collections?
16.6% of individuals in Missouri have debt in collections, above the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 17.5% of Missouri 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 Missouri?
613,272 residents of Missouri receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 9.9% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #26 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -6.0% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 10.7%.
How strong is Missouri's financial safety net?
Missouri scores 55.9 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #15 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (16.9% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.9%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Missouri counties have the highest financial distress?
Pemiscot County is the most distressed county in Missouri with a County Distress Index score of 90.2 · extreme county distress, ranking #14 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Mississippi County (84.4 · very high county distress), Dunklin County (81.9 · very high county distress), Wayne County (80.8 · very high county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Osage County is the least distressed at 15.2 · very low county distress. See all 115 counties at /counties/missouri/.
How long can foreclosure take in Missouri?
Missouri uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. In Missouri, the bank can foreclose in roughly 150–210 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 sale by paying all past-due amou…. The homestead exemption is $15,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/missouri/.
Where does Missouri rank for financial distress?
Missouri scores 45.0 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), ranking #31 of 51 jurisdictions. 1 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 #15 (Moderate).
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.
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 (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.