Allen County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.4 | 12,412 people · 18th most distressed in Kansas
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Allen County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.4 — 1612th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Kansas, it ranks 18th of 105 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Allen County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.1
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 67
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Consumer Credit Distress 60.0
Debt in Collections 65
Medical Debt 49
Auto Loan Delinquency 63
Credit Card Delinquency 70
Uninsured Rate 62
Subprime Credit Population 50
Economic Vitality 37.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 30.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Housing Cost Burden 26.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 50

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Allen County
Allen County, KS 49.4 Normal —
Bourbon County, KS 58.0 Elevated +8.6
Neosho County, KS 56.0 Elevated +6.6
Linn County, KS 50.9 Elevated +1.5
Woodson County, KS 44.6 Normal -4.8
Anderson County, KS 41.8 Normal -7.6
Wilson County, KS 40.0 Normal -9.4
Coffey County, KS 32.2 Healthy -17.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Allen County
Colorado County, TX 49.4 Normal -0.0
Cleburne County, AR 49.4 Normal -0.0
White County, IN 49.4 Normal +0.0
Coos County, NH 49.4 Normal +0.0
East Feliciana Parish, LA 49.3 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Allen County as a CSV file.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Allen County, Kansas?

    Allen County has a County Distress Index score of 49.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,612th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Allen County?

    The primary driver of distress in Allen County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Allen County compare to neighboring counties?

    Allen County (49.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Bourbon County, KS (58.0); Neosho County, KS (56.0); Linn County, KS (50.9).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Normal zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Allen County's score of 49.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Allen County's CDI score?

    Allen County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Allen County?

    Allen County, Kansas has a population of approximately 12,412 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.