Ellsworth County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.3 | 6,357 people · 92nd most distressed in Kansas
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Ellsworth County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.2 — 2920th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Kansas, it ranks 92nd of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ellsworth County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 56.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 56.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Structural Poverty 41.4
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 30
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Economic Vitality 31.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 15
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 82
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 22.2
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 32
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 27
Housing Cost Burden 13.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 19
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ellsworth County
Ellsworth County, KS 26.3 Healthy —
Saline County, KS 49.0 Normal +22.7
Barton County, KS 45.6 Normal +19.4
Lincoln County, KS 37.2 Normal +10.9
Russell County, KS 36.9 Normal +10.6
Rice County, KS 35.6 Normal +9.4
McPherson County, KS 25.7 Healthy -0.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ellsworth County
Gosper County, NE 26.3 Healthy 0.0
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy -0.1
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy -0.1
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -0.2
Fremont County, IA 26.5 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ellsworth County

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Ellsworth County residents at no cost.

Kansas Legal Services 1-800-723-6953

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Ellsworth County has a County Distress Index score of 26.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,920th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 92nd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ellsworth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ellsworth County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 56.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Ellsworth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ellsworth County (26.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saline County, KS (49.0); Barton County, KS (45.6); Lincoln County, KS (37.2).

  • 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 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). Ellsworth County's score of 26.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ellsworth 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 Ellsworth County?

    Ellsworth County, Kansas has a population of approximately 6,357 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.