Rawlins County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.3 | 2,463 people · 85th most distressed in Kansas
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Rawlins County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.3 — 2838th 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 85th of 105 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rawlins County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 37.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 37.2
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 28
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 81
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Legal Distress 36.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Consumer Credit Distress 29.1
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 44
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 5
Economic Vitality 27.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 19
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 18.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 76

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rawlins County
Rawlins County, KS 28.3 Healthy —
Red Willow County, NE 46.3 Normal +18.0
Sherman County, KS 41.3 Normal +13.0
Thomas County, KS 38.3 Normal +10.0
Hitchcock County, NE 37.4 Normal +9.1
Decatur County, KS 35.9 Normal +7.7
Cheyenne County, KS 34.5 Healthy +6.2
Dundy County, NE 21.8 Healthy -6.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rawlins County
Burt County, NE 28.3 Healthy +0.0
Sheridan County, NE 28.3 Healthy +0.0
Haskell County, KS 28.4 Healthy +0.1
Shelby County, MO 28.2 Healthy -0.1
Phillips County, CO 28.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Rawlins County has a County Distress Index score of 28.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,838th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 85th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rawlins County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rawlins County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 37.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Rawlins County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rawlins County (28.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Red Willow County, NE (46.3); Sherman County, KS (41.3); Thomas County, KS (38.3).

  • 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). Rawlins County's score of 28.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Rawlins 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 Rawlins County?

    Rawlins County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,463 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.