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States with the Highest Debt Delinquency Rates in America Revealed
WalletHub said Mississippi had 13.8% of loans delinquent and 13.6% of debt balances past due in the first quarter of 2026.
- WalletHub ranked all 50 states based on first-quarter 2026 data, finding Mississippi leads the nation in debt delinquency. Approximately 13.8% of individual loans and over 13.6% of total debt balances in the state were past due.
- Southern states dominate the rankings, with Louisiana ranking second and Arkansas third. Louisiana residents were delinquent on 12.2% of individual loans, while Arkansas reported 11.2% of accounts as delinquent.
- "Being delinquent on debt can lead to fees, credit score damage, increased interest rates and other negative repercussions," Chip Lupo, an analyst at WalletHub, said in a statement.
- For many types of debt, borrowers have at least 30 days after the due date before late reporting occurs; many lenders offer hardship programs for those in financial difficulty.
- Americans falling behind on debt payments face serious financial consequences, with new analysis suggesting these challenges are widespread across Southern states.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
States Where People Are the Most Delinquent on Debt
Being delinquent on debt means that you are behind on payments, and delinquency can have very bad consequences for your credit. Late payments recorded on your credit report stay there for seven years, and delinquency can also lead to late fees, increased interest rates, account closure and even lawsuits. Delinquency at an individual level may be due to simple forgetfulness or problems outside of a person’s control, but when people in a state are…
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