Mitchell County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.0 | 5,719 people · 102nd most distressed in Kansas
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Mitchell County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.0 — 3051st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 102nd of 105 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mitchell County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 45.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 45.6
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 28
Disability Rate 53
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Housing Cost Burden 27.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 71
Economic Vitality 23.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 45
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 11.8
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 10.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mitchell County
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy —
Ottawa County, KS 39.8 Normal +18.9
Osborne County, KS 37.4 Normal +16.4
Lincoln County, KS 37.2 Normal +16.2
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal +15.5
Jewell County, KS 28.4 Healthy +7.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mitchell County
Daniels County, MT 20.9 Healthy -0.0
Johnson County, WY 21.1 Healthy +0.1
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy -0.2
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy -0.2
Greeley County, NE 21.2 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

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Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 785-234-5696

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Mitchell County has a County Distress Index score of 21.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,051st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 102nd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mitchell County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mitchell County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 45.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Mitchell County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mitchell County (21.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Ottawa County, KS (39.8); Osborne County, KS (37.4); 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). Mitchell County's score of 21.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Mitchell 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 Mitchell County?

    Mitchell County, Kansas has a population of approximately 5,719 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.