Decatur County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.9 | 2,712 people · 55th most distressed in Kansas
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Decatur County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.9 — 2421st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 55th of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Decatur County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 56.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 56.0
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 53
Income vs. State Median 80
Child Poverty Rate 69
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Economic Vitality 51.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 68
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Legal Distress 41.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Consumer Credit Distress 37.3
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 79
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 42
Subprime Credit Population 32
Housing Cost Burden 12.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Decatur County
Decatur County, KS 35.9 Normal —
Red Willow County, NE 46.3 Normal +10.4
Norton County, KS 40.9 Normal +5.0
Furnas County, NE 40.2 Normal +4.3
Thomas County, KS 38.3 Normal +2.4
Rawlins County, KS 28.3 Healthy -7.7
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy -12.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Decatur County
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal -0.0
Valley County, MT 35.9 Normal -0.0
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal -0.1
Pocahontas County, WV 36.0 Normal +0.1
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Decatur County has a County Distress Index score of 35.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,421st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 55th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Decatur County?

    The primary driver of distress in Decatur County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 56.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Decatur County compare to neighboring counties?

    Decatur County (35.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Red Willow County, NE (46.3); Norton County, KS (40.9); Furnas County, NE (40.2).

  • 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). Decatur County's score of 35.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Decatur 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 Decatur County?

    Decatur County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,712 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.