Jackson County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.3 | 13,368 people · 54th most distressed in Kansas
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Jackson County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.3 — 2407th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Kansas, it ranks 54th of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jackson County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 60.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 60.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 66
Homeownership Rate 28
Legal Distress 53.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Economic Vitality 49.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 68
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 7
Structural Poverty 28.2
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 20
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 48
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Consumer Credit Distress 21.9
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Jackson County, KS 36.3 Normal —
Shawnee County, KS 57.1 Elevated +20.8
Atchison County, KS 39.0 Normal +2.7
Brown County, KS 30.5 Healthy -5.8
Jefferson County, KS 29.1 Healthy -7.2
Pottawatomie County, KS 21.0 Healthy -15.3
Nemaha County, KS 15.1 Healthy -21.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Iroquois County, IL 36.3 Normal -0.0
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal +0.1
Cass County, IL 36.2 Normal -0.1
Sagadahoc County, ME 36.4 Normal +0.1
Hubbard County, MN 36.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Jackson County has a County Distress Index score of 36.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,407th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jackson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jackson County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 60.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Jackson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jackson County (36.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Shawnee County, KS (57.1); Atchison County, KS (39.0); Brown County, KS (30.5).

  • 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). Jackson County's score of 36.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Jackson 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 Jackson County?

    Jackson County, Kansas has a population of approximately 13,368 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.