Butler County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.3 | 68,632 people · 33rd most distressed in Kansas
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Butler County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.2 — 2050th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Kansas, it ranks 33rd of 105 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Butler County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 69.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 69.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 71
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 28
Economic Vitality 45.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 41
Legal Distress 41.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Consumer Credit Distress 35.1
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 44
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 35
Structural Poverty 21.1
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 40
Transfer Income Dependency 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Butler County, KS 42.3 Normal —
Sedgwick County, KS 52.2 Elevated +9.9
Cowley County, KS 51.4 Elevated +9.1
Greenwood County, KS 48.8 Normal +6.5
Elk County, KS 48.0 Normal +5.8
Sumner County, KS 45.2 Normal +2.9
Harvey County, KS 35.3 Normal -6.9
Chase County, KS 35.3 Normal -7.0
Marion County, KS 31.1 Healthy -11.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Montgomery County, VA 42.3 Normal 0.0
Belknap County, NH 42.2 Normal -0.0
Sumter County, FL 42.2 Normal -0.0
Benton County, WA 42.3 Normal +0.0
Hancock County, ME 42.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

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Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 785-234-5696

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Butler County has a County Distress Index score of 42.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,050th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Butler County?

    The primary driver of distress in Butler County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 69.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Butler County compare to neighboring counties?

    Butler County (42.3) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Sedgwick County, KS (52.2); Cowley County, KS (51.4); Greenwood County, KS (48.8).

  • 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). Butler County's score of 42.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Butler 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 Butler County?

    Butler County, Kansas has a population of approximately 68,632 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.