Smith County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.3 | 3,590 people · 65th most distressed in Kansas
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Smith County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.3 — 2568th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 65th 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. Smith County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 52.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 52.5
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 37
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 59
Economic Vitality 51.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Legal Distress 41.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Consumer Credit Distress 27.4
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 63
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 6
Housing Cost Burden 23.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Smith County
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy —
Osborne County, KS 37.4 Normal +4.1
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal +3.2
Rooks County, KS 34.4 Healthy +1.1
Jewell County, KS 28.4 Healthy -4.8
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy -5.3
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy -10.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Smith County
Adams County, IA 33.3 Healthy -0.0
Hooker County, NE 33.4 Healthy +0.1
Pope County, IL 33.4 Healthy +0.1
Stafford County, KS 33.1 Healthy -0.1
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Smith County has a County Distress Index score of 33.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,568th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 65th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Smith County?

    The primary driver of distress in Smith County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 52.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Smith County compare to neighboring counties?

    Smith County (33.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Osborne County, KS (37.4); Webster County, NE (36.5); Rooks County, KS (34.4).

  • 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). Smith County's score of 33.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Smith 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 Smith County?

    Smith County, Kansas has a population of approximately 3,590 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.