Rooks County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.4 | 4,778 people · 62nd most distressed in Kansas
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Rooks County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.4 — 2505th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Kansas, it ranks 62nd 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. Rooks County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 49.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 49.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50
Structural Poverty 49.1
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 57
Transfer Income Dependency 66
Consumer Credit Distress 37.1
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 71
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 35
Economic Vitality 34.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 8
Housing Cost Burden 14.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 51

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rooks County
Rooks County, KS 34.4 Healthy —
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal +5.0
Osborne County, KS 37.4 Normal +3.0
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy -1.1
Graham County, KS 30.3 Healthy -4.1
Trego County, KS 24.7 Healthy -9.7
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy -11.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rooks County
Washington County, CO 34.4 Healthy -0.0
Cheyenne County, KS 34.5 Healthy +0.1
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy -0.1
Wallowa County, OR 34.2 Healthy -0.3
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

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Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 785-234-5696

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Rooks County has a County Distress Index score of 34.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,505th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rooks County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rooks County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 49.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Rooks County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rooks County (34.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ellis County, KS (39.4); Osborne County, KS (37.4); 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). Rooks County's score of 34.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Rooks 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 Rooks County?

    Rooks County, Kansas has a population of approximately 4,778 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.