Sheridan County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.4 | 2,423 people · 97th most distressed in Kansas
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Sheridan County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.4 — 3003rd 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 97th 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. Sheridan County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 30.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 30.3
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Consumer Credit Distress 30.2
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 7
Economic Vitality 21.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 11.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 45
Legal Distress 6.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheridan County
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy —
Norton County, KS 40.9 Normal +17.5
Thomas County, KS 38.3 Normal +14.9
Decatur County, KS 35.9 Normal +12.5
Graham County, KS 30.3 Healthy +6.9
Gove County, KS 19.9 Healthy -3.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheridan County
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy +0.0
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy -0.0
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy -0.1
Calhoun County, IA 23.6 Healthy +0.2
Perkins County, NE 23.3 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sheridan County

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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 Sheridan County, Kansas?

    Sheridan County has a County Distress Index score of 23.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,003rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 97th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sheridan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sheridan County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 30.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Sheridan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sheridan County (23.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Norton County, KS (40.9); Thomas County, KS (38.3); Decatur County, KS (35.9).

  • 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). Sheridan County's score of 23.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sheridan 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 Sheridan County?

    Sheridan County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,423 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.