Lincoln County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.2 | 2,920 people · 48th most distressed in Kansas
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Lincoln County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.2 — 2355th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Kansas, it ranks 48th 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. Lincoln County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 67.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 67.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Structural Poverty 62.5
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 75
Housing Cost Burden 37.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 23
Economic Vitality 32.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 31
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 32
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Consumer Credit Distress 26.0
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Lincoln County, KS 37.2 Normal —
Saline County, KS 49.0 Normal +11.8
Ottawa County, KS 39.8 Normal +2.6
Osborne County, KS 37.4 Normal +0.2
Russell County, KS 36.9 Normal -0.3
Ellsworth County, KS 26.3 Healthy -10.9
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy -16.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Roger Mills County, OK 37.1 Normal -0.0
Sierra County, CA 37.1 Normal -0.1
Caribou County, ID 37.1 Normal -0.1
Schuyler County, MO 37.0 Normal -0.2
Hitchcock County, NE 37.4 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, Kansas?

    Lincoln County has a County Distress Index score of 37.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,355th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lincoln County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lincoln County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 67.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Lincoln County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lincoln County (37.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saline County, KS (49.0); Ottawa County, KS (39.8); Osborne County, KS (37.4).

  • 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). Lincoln County's score of 37.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lincoln 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 Lincoln County?

    Lincoln County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,920 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.