Brown County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.5 | 9,250 people · 75th most distressed in Kansas
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Brown County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.5 — 2735th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 75th of 105 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Brown County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 50.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 50.8
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 27
Disability Rate 59
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Legal Distress 46.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Consumer Credit Distress 27.9
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 28
Economic Vitality 23.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 21.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 45

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Brown County, KS 30.5 Healthy —
Doniphan County, KS 42.0 Normal +11.6
Atchison County, KS 39.0 Normal +8.5
Jackson County, KS 36.3 Normal +5.8
Richardson County, NE 32.3 Healthy +1.8
Nemaha County, KS 15.1 Healthy -15.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Ouray County, CO 30.4 Healthy -0.0
Sioux County, NE 30.4 Healthy -0.1
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy +0.1
Washakie County, WY 30.4 Healthy -0.1
Kiowa County, KS 30.6 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Brown County

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Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 785-234-5696

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Brown County has a County Distress Index score of 30.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,735th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 75th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Brown County?

    The primary driver of distress in Brown County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 50.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Brown County compare to neighboring counties?

    Brown County (30.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Doniphan County, KS (42.0); Atchison County, KS (39.0); Jackson County, KS (36.3).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Brown County's score of 30.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Brown 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 Brown County?

    Brown County, Kansas has a population of approximately 9,250 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.