Ottawa County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.8 | 5,818 people · 40th most distressed in Kansas
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Ottawa County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.8 — 2201st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Kansas, it ranks 40th of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ottawa County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 54.9 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 54.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Economic Vitality 45.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 49
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 41.0
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 50
Credit Card Delinquency 81
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 19
Housing Cost Burden 37.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 29
Structural Poverty 28.1
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 22
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 43

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ottawa County
Ottawa County, KS 39.8 Normal —
Saline County, KS 49.0 Normal +9.1
Dickinson County, KS 46.1 Normal +6.3
Clay County, KS 38.9 Normal -0.9
Lincoln County, KS 37.2 Normal -2.6
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal -3.4
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy -18.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ottawa County
Mountrail County, ND 39.8 Normal -0.0
Putnam County, MO 39.8 Normal -0.0
Van Buren County, IA 39.8 Normal -0.0
Wilson County, KS 40.0 Normal +0.2
Mason County, TX 40.1 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ottawa County

Find an Attorney

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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, Kansas?

    Ottawa County has a County Distress Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,201st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 40th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ottawa County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ottawa County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 54.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Ottawa County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ottawa County (39.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saline County, KS (49.0); Dickinson County, KS (46.1); Clay County, KS (38.9).

  • 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). Ottawa County's score of 39.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Ottawa 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 Ottawa County?

    Ottawa County, Kansas has a population of approximately 5,818 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.