Phillips County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.9 | 4,761 people · 98th most distressed in Kansas
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Phillips County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.9 — 3018th 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 98th of 105 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Phillips County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 42.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 42.3
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 75
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Economic Vitality 28.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 31
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 36
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 28.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 30
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 28
Homeownership Rate 47
Consumer Credit Distress 16.3
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Phillips County
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy —
Norton County, KS 40.9 Normal +18.0
Rooks County, KS 34.4 Healthy +11.5
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy +10.4
Graham County, KS 30.3 Healthy +7.4
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy +5.1
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy +1.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Phillips County
McIntosh County, ND 22.9 Healthy +0.0
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy +0.1
Red Lake County, MN 22.9 Healthy +0.1
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy +0.1
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Phillips County has a County Distress Index score of 22.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,018th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 98th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Phillips County?

    The primary driver of distress in Phillips County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 42.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Phillips County compare to neighboring counties?

    Phillips County (22.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Norton County, KS (40.9); Rooks County, KS (34.4); Smith County, KS (33.3).

  • 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). Phillips County's score of 22.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Phillips 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 Phillips County?

    Phillips County, Kansas has a population of approximately 4,761 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.