Jewell County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.4 | 2,847 people · 83rd most distressed in Kansas
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Jewell County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.4 — 2827th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 83rd of 105 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jewell County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 63.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 63.4
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 73
Child Poverty Rate 47
Disability Rate 86
Transfer Income Dependency 59
Economic Vitality 58.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 76
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Consumer Credit Distress 21.6
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 19.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Housing Cost Burden 12.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jewell County
Jewell County, KS 28.4 Healthy —
Osborne County, KS 37.4 Normal +8.9
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal +8.0
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal +8.0
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy +4.8
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy -1.7
Nuckolls County, NE 25.1 Healthy -3.4
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy -7.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jewell County
Blaine County, NE 28.4 Healthy 0.0
Clearwater County, MN 28.4 Healthy -0.0
Madison County, MT 28.5 Healthy +0.0
Haskell County, KS 28.4 Healthy -0.1
Burt County, NE 28.3 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Jewell County has a County Distress Index score of 28.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,827th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jewell County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jewell County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 63.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Jewell County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jewell County (28.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Osborne County, KS (37.4); Webster County, NE (36.5); Cloud County, KS (36.5).

  • 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 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). Jewell County's score of 28.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Jewell 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 Jewell County?

    Jewell County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,847 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.