Cheyenne County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.5 | 2,636 people · 61st most distressed in Kansas
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Cheyenne County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.5 — 2503rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Kansas, it ranks 61st of 105 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cheyenne County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 53.8 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 53.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 40
Business Formation Rate 67
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Structural Poverty 48.0
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Legal Distress 36.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Consumer Credit Distress 31.3
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 88
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 24.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cheyenne County
Cheyenne County, KS 34.5 Healthy —
Sherman County, KS 41.3 Normal +6.9
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal +4.0
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy -0.8
Rawlins County, KS 28.3 Healthy -6.2
Dundy County, NE 21.8 Healthy -12.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cheyenne County
Rooks County, KS 34.4 Healthy -0.1
Washington County, CO 34.4 Healthy -0.1
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy -0.1
Wallowa County, OR 34.2 Healthy -0.3
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Cheyenne County has a County Distress Index score of 34.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,503rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cheyenne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cheyenne County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 53.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Cheyenne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cheyenne County (34.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Sherman County, KS (41.3); Kit Carson County, CO (38.5); Yuma County, CO (33.7).

  • 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). Cheyenne County's score of 34.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County?

    Cheyenne County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,636 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.