Cloud County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.5 | 8,854 people · 52nd most distressed in Kansas
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Cloud County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.5 — 2394th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Kansas, it ranks 52nd of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cloud County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 50.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 50.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 75
Structural Poverty 44.5
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Legal Distress 37.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Consumer Credit Distress 35.8
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 64
Subprime Credit Population 16
Housing Cost Burden 27.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 11
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 88
Homeownership Rate 49

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cloud County
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal —
Ottawa County, KS 39.8 Normal +3.4
Clay County, KS 38.9 Normal +2.4
Jewell County, KS 28.4 Healthy -8.0
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy -9.8
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy -15.2
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy -15.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cloud County
Wheatland County, MT 36.5 Normal +0.0
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal +0.0
Wahkiakum County, WA 36.4 Normal -0.0
Grant County, KS 36.5 Normal +0.1
Gregory County, SD 36.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Cloud 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 Cloud County, Kansas?

    Cloud County has a County Distress Index score of 36.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,394th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 52nd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cloud County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cloud County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 50.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Cloud County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cloud County (36.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ottawa County, KS (39.8); Clay County, KS (38.9); Jewell County, KS (28.4).

  • 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). Cloud County's score of 36.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Cloud 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 Cloud County?

    Cloud County, Kansas has a population of approximately 8,854 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.