Morton County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.9 | 2,580 people · 82nd most distressed in Kansas
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Morton County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.9 — 2805th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 82nd of 105 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Morton County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 45.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 45.5
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 57
Disability Rate 62
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Economic Vitality 45.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Consumer Credit Distress 30.3
Debt in Collections 36
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 11
Legal Distress 23.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Housing Cost Burden 10.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Morton County
Morton County, KS 28.9 Healthy —
Baca County, CO 45.6 Normal +16.6
Texas County, OK 45.0 Normal +16.1
Cimarron County, OK 39.2 Normal +10.3
Stevens County, KS 36.9 Normal +8.0
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy -0.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Morton County
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy -0.0
Beaver County, OK 28.9 Healthy -0.0
Lipscomb County, TX 29.0 Healthy +0.1
Lake of the Woods County, MN 28.8 Healthy -0.1
McPherson County, NE 29.1 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Morton County

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Morton County has a County Distress Index score of 28.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,805th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 82nd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Morton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Morton County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 45.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Morton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Morton County (28.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Baca County, CO (45.6); Texas County, OK (45.0); Cimarron County, OK (39.2).

  • 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). Morton County's score of 28.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Morton 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 Morton County?

    Morton County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,580 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.