Rush County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.8 | 2,830 people · 63rd most distressed in Kansas
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Rush County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.8 — 2532nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Kansas, it ranks 63rd of 105 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rush County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 69.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 69.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 69
Structural Poverty 45.0
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Economic Vitality 42.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 27
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 10
Housing Cost Burden 27.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 21
Consumer Credit Distress 26.4
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 26

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rush County
Rush County, KS 33.8 Healthy —
Barton County, KS 45.6 Normal +11.8
Pawnee County, KS 41.3 Normal +7.4
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal +5.5
Russell County, KS 36.9 Normal +3.0
Ness County, KS 21.6 Healthy -12.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rush County
Sublette County, WY 33.8 Healthy -0.0
Morrill County, NE 33.8 Healthy -0.1
Emmet County, IA 33.9 Healthy +0.1
Dolores County, CO 33.7 Healthy -0.1
Chouteau County, MT 33.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rush County

Find an Attorney

Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Kansas Bar Association Lawyer Referral 785-234-5696

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Rush County residents at no cost.

Kansas Legal Services 1-800-723-6953

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Kansas →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Rush County has a County Distress Index score of 33.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,532nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rush County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rush County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 69.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Rush County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rush County (33.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Barton County, KS (45.6); Pawnee County, KS (41.3); Ellis County, KS (39.4).

  • 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). Rush County's score of 33.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Rush 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 Rush County?

    Rush County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,830 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.