Morris County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.5 | 5,334 people · 57th most distressed in Kansas
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Morris County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.5 — 2451st 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 57th 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. Morris County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 71.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 71.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Economic Vitality 46.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Structural Poverty 43.0
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 35
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 50
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 57
Consumer Credit Distress 35.9
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 64
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 19
Housing Cost Burden 13.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Morris County
Morris County, KS 35.5 Normal —
Geary County, KS 66.4 Serious +30.9
Lyon County, KS 54.8 Elevated +19.3
Dickinson County, KS 46.1 Normal +10.6
Chase County, KS 35.3 Normal -0.3
Marion County, KS 31.1 Healthy -4.5
Wabaunsee County, KS 26.9 Healthy -8.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Morris County
Gilpin County, CO 35.5 Normal +0.0
Garfield County, NE 35.6 Normal +0.1
Grand Isle County, VT 35.4 Normal -0.1
Rice County, KS 35.6 Normal +0.1
Essex County, VT 35.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Morris 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 Morris County, Kansas?

    Morris County has a County Distress Index score of 35.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,451st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 57th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Morris County?

    The primary driver of distress in Morris County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 71.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Morris County compare to neighboring counties?

    Morris County (35.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Geary County, KS (66.4); Lyon County, KS (54.8); Dickinson County, KS (46.1).

  • 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). Morris County's score of 35.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Morris 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 Morris County?

    Morris County, Kansas has a population of approximately 5,334 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.