Pottawatomie County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.0 | 26,382 people · 101st most distressed in Kansas
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Pottawatomie County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.0 — 3050th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Kansas, it ranks 101st of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pottawatomie County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 42.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 42.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 3
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 63
Housing Cost Burden 30.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 54
Homeownership Rate 9
Legal Distress 22.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 23
Consumer Credit Distress 15.1
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 9
Structural Poverty 10.9
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 9
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pottawatomie County
Pottawatomie County, KS 21.0 Healthy —
Shawnee County, KS 57.1 Elevated +36.1
Riley County, KS 50.0 Elevated +29.0
Marshall County, KS 39.1 Normal +18.0
Jackson County, KS 36.3 Normal +15.3
Wabaunsee County, KS 26.9 Healthy +5.9
Nemaha County, KS 15.1 Healthy -5.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pottawatomie County
Woodford County, IL 21.1 Healthy +0.0
Botetourt County, VA 20.9 Healthy -0.2
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy -0.2
Summit County, UT 20.6 Healthy -0.4
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy -0.6

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Pottawatomie County has a County Distress Index score of 21.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,050th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 101st in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pottawatomie County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pottawatomie County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 42.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Pottawatomie County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pottawatomie County (21.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Shawnee County, KS (57.1); Riley County, KS (50.0); Marshall County, KS (39.1).

  • 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 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). Pottawatomie County's score of 21.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Pottawatomie 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 Pottawatomie County?

    Pottawatomie County, Kansas has a population of approximately 26,382 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.