Stafford County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 3,909 people · 66th most distressed in Kansas
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Stafford County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2574th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Kansas, it ranks 66th of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stafford County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 49.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 49.3
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Economic Vitality 37.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Legal Distress 37.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Consumer Credit Distress 35.7
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 93
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 10
Housing Cost Burden 14.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stafford County
Stafford County, KS 33.1 Healthy —
Reno County, KS 51.3 Elevated +18.1
Barton County, KS 45.6 Normal +12.5
Pawnee County, KS 41.3 Normal +8.1
Rice County, KS 35.6 Normal +2.5
Edwards County, KS 33.7 Healthy +0.6
Pratt County, KS 30.4 Healthy -2.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stafford County
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy -0.0
Sullivan County, PA 33.1 Healthy -0.0
Wibaux County, MT 33.1 Healthy -0.1
Adams County, IA 33.3 Healthy +0.1
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Stafford County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,574th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stafford County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stafford County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 49.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Stafford County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stafford County (33.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Reno County, KS (51.3); Barton County, KS (45.6); Pawnee County, KS (41.3).

  • 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). Stafford County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stafford 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 Stafford County?

    Stafford County, Kansas has a population of approximately 3,909 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.