Russell County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.9 | 6,723 people · 50th most distressed in Kansas
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Russell County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.9 — 2372nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 50th of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Russell County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 57.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 57.7
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 47
Income vs. State Median 77
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 74
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Legal Distress 46.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Economic Vitality 45.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 42
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 31.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 26
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 39
Consumer Credit Distress 30.6
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Russell County
Russell County, KS 36.9 Normal —
Barton County, KS 45.6 Normal +8.7
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal +2.5
Osborne County, KS 37.4 Normal +0.5
Lincoln County, KS 37.2 Normal +0.3
Rush County, KS 33.8 Healthy -3.0
Ellsworth County, KS 26.3 Healthy -10.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Russell County
Broadwater County, MT 36.9 Normal -0.0
Stanton County, NE 36.9 Normal +0.0
Stevens County, KS 36.9 Normal +0.0
Swift County, MN 36.9 Normal +0.0
Worth County, MO 36.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Russell County has a County Distress Index score of 36.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,372nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 50th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Russell County?

    The primary driver of distress in Russell County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 57.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Russell County compare to neighboring counties?

    Russell County (36.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Barton County, KS (45.6); Ellis County, KS (39.4); Osborne County, KS (37.4).

  • 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 Normal 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). Russell County's score of 36.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Russell 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 Russell County?

    Russell County, Kansas has a population of approximately 6,723 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.