Greenwood County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.8 | 5,870 people · 21st most distressed in Kansas
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Greenwood County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.8 — 1658th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 21st of 105 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Greenwood County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 64.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 64.2
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 74
Transfer Income Dependency 74
Legal Distress 54.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Consumer Credit Distress 51.0
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 68
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 65
Subprime Credit Population 37
Economic Vitality 50.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 68
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 32.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 18
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Greenwood County
Greenwood County, KS 48.8 Normal —
Lyon County, KS 54.8 Elevated +6.0
Elk County, KS 48.0 Normal -0.8
Woodson County, KS 44.6 Normal -4.2
Butler County, KS 42.3 Normal -6.5
Wilson County, KS 40.0 Normal -8.8
Chase County, KS 35.3 Normal -13.5
Coffey County, KS 32.2 Healthy -16.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Greenwood County
Shackelford County, TX 48.9 Normal +0.1
Lyon County, KY 48.7 Normal -0.1
Modoc County, CA 48.6 Normal -0.2
Gilmer County, WV 48.6 Normal -0.2
Reynolds County, MO 49.0 Normal +0.3

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Greenwood County has a County Distress Index score of 48.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,658th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Greenwood County?

    The primary driver of distress in Greenwood County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 64.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Greenwood County compare to neighboring counties?

    Greenwood County (48.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lyon County, KS (54.8); Elk County, KS (48.0); Woodson County, KS (44.6).

  • 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). Greenwood County's score of 48.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Greenwood 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 Greenwood County?

    Greenwood County, Kansas has a population of approximately 5,870 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.