Elk County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.0 | 2,467 people · 22nd most distressed in Kansas
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Elk County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.0 — 1711th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Kansas, it ranks 22nd 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. Elk County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 83.1 — worse than roughly 83% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 83.1
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 73
Income vs. State Median 94
Child Poverty Rate 76
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 90
Economic Vitality 71.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 78
Rent-to-Income Ratio 57
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Legal Distress 63.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Consumer Credit Distress 38.8
Debt in Collections 52
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 18
Housing Cost Burden 31.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 28
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 32

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Elk County
Elk County, KS 48.0 Normal —
Montgomery County, KS 60.5 Elevated +12.4
Cowley County, KS 51.4 Elevated +3.4
Greenwood County, KS 48.8 Normal +0.8
Chautauqua County, KS 46.0 Normal -2.0
Butler County, KS 42.3 Normal -5.8
Wilson County, KS 40.0 Normal -8.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Elk County
Mahnomen County, MN 48.0 Normal -0.0
McLean County, KY 48.1 Normal +0.1
Niobrara County, WY 48.1 Normal +0.1
Huerfano County, CO 47.9 Normal -0.1
Saguache County, CO 47.9 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Elk County has a County Distress Index score of 48.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,711th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Elk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Elk County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 83.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Elk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Elk County (48.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Montgomery County, KS (60.5); Cowley County, KS (51.4); Greenwood County, KS (48.8).

  • 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). Elk County's score of 48.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Elk 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 Elk County?

    Elk County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,467 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.