Douglas County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.8 | 120,553 people · 23rd most distressed in Kansas
American Default Research

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Douglas County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.8 — 1726th 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 23rd of 105 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Douglas County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 91.6 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 91.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 99
Economic Vitality 54.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 47
Business Formation Rate 62
House Price Change (YoY) 27
Legal Distress 43.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 34.2
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 58
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 33
Structural Poverty 22.1
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Douglas County, KS 47.8 Normal —
Franklin County, KS 59.1 Elevated +11.3
Shawnee County, KS 57.1 Elevated +9.3
Osage County, KS 45.4 Normal -2.4
Leavenworth County, KS 43.1 Normal -4.8
Miami County, KS 36.5 Normal -11.4
Jefferson County, KS 29.1 Healthy -18.8
Johnson County, KS 27.1 Healthy -20.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Yavapai County, AZ 47.9 Normal +0.1
Washington County, OH 47.9 Normal +0.1
Oxford County, ME 47.9 Normal +0.1
Licking County, OH 47.7 Normal -0.1
Elko County, NV 47.7 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Douglas County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Douglas County.

HOUSING AND CREDIT COUNSELING, INC. (HCCI)
LAWRENCE
785-234-0217 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Kansas →

Find an Attorney

Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 785-234-5696

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Douglas County residents at no cost.

Kansas Legal Services 1-800-723-6953

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Kansas →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Douglas County has a County Distress Index score of 47.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,726th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Douglas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Douglas County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 91.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Douglas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Douglas County (47.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Franklin County, KS (59.1); Shawnee County, KS (57.1); Osage County, KS (45.4).

  • 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). Douglas County's score of 47.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Douglas 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 Douglas County?

    Douglas County, Kansas has a population of approximately 120,553 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.