Ness County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.6 | 2,618 people · 99th most distressed in Kansas
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Ness County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.6 — 3038th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Kansas, it ranks 99th of 105 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ness County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 32.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 32.4
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 22
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Consumer Credit Distress 28.0
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 11
Economic Vitality 18.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 17
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 8.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 22
Legal Distress 5.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ness County
Ness County, KS 21.6 Healthy —
Finney County, KS 47.1 Normal +25.5
Pawnee County, KS 41.3 Normal +19.7
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal +17.8
Rush County, KS 33.8 Healthy +12.3
Hodgeman County, KS 30.8 Healthy +9.2
Lane County, KS 30.0 Healthy +8.4
Trego County, KS 24.7 Healthy +3.1
Gove County, KS 19.9 Healthy -1.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ness County
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy -0.0
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy -0.1
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy -0.1
Rich County, UT 21.4 Healthy -0.1
Dundy County, NE 21.8 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Ness 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 Ness County, Kansas?

    Ness County has a County Distress Index score of 21.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,038th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 99th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ness County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ness County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 32.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Ness County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ness County (21.6) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Finney County, KS (47.1); Pawnee County, KS (41.3); Ellis County, KS (39.4).

  • 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 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). Ness County's score of 21.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ness 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 Ness County?

    Ness County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,618 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.