Republic County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.7 | 4,627 people · 91st most distressed in Kansas
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Republic County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.7 — 2904th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 91st of 105 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Republic County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 53.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 53.5
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 37
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 63
Economic Vitality 49.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 58
Rent-to-Income Ratio 29
Business Formation Rate 62
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Legal Distress 40.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 20.1
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 10
Housing Cost Burden 10.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 40

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Republic County
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy —
Jefferson County, NE 38.1 Normal +11.4
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal +9.8
Jewell County, KS 28.4 Healthy +1.7
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy -1.1
Nuckolls County, NE 25.1 Healthy -1.7
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy -5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Republic County
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy 0.0
McCone County, MT 26.7 Healthy -0.0
Meagher County, MT 26.7 Healthy +0.0
Custer County, CO 26.7 Healthy -0.0
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Republic County

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Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 785-234-5696

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Kansas Legal Services 1-800-723-6953

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Republic County has a County Distress Index score of 26.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,904th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 91st in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Republic County?

    The primary driver of distress in Republic County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 53.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Republic County compare to neighboring counties?

    Republic County (26.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, NE (38.1); Cloud County, KS (36.5); Jewell County, KS (28.4).

  • 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). Republic County's score of 26.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Republic 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 Republic County?

    Republic County, Kansas has a population of approximately 4,627 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.