Clark County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.4 | 1,847 people · 70th most distressed in Kansas
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Clark County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.4 — 2682nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Kansas, it ranks 70th of 105 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clark County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 42.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 42.1
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Legal Distress 40.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 39.5
Debt in Collections 52
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 26
Economic Vitality 15.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 10
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 11.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 44

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clark County
Clark County, KS 31.4 Healthy —
Ford County, KS 49.2 Normal +17.8
Comanche County, KS 46.1 Normal +14.7
Harper County, OK 37.7 Normal +6.4
Kiowa County, KS 30.6 Healthy -0.8
Beaver County, OK 28.9 Healthy -2.5
Meade County, KS 27.3 Healthy -4.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clark County
Knox County, MO 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Arthur County, NE 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy -0.0
Garfield County, UT 31.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Clark County has a County Distress Index score of 31.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,682nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 70th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clark County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clark County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 42.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Clark County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clark County (31.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ford County, KS (49.2); Comanche County, KS (46.1); Harper County, OK (37.7).

  • 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). Clark County's score of 31.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Clark 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 Clark County?

    Clark County, Kansas has a population of approximately 1,847 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.