Stevens County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.9 | 5,077 people · 49th most distressed in Kansas
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Stevens County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.9 — 2365th 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 49th of 105 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

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

Legal Distress Primary driver 69.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 69
Consumer Credit Distress 46.8
Debt in Collections 21
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 87
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 94
Subprime Credit Population 27
Economic Vitality 26.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 12
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 20.6
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 11
Housing Cost Burden 19.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 14
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 32
Homeownership Rate 57

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stevens County
Stevens County, KS 36.9 Normal —
Seward County, KS 49.5 Normal +12.6
Texas County, OK 45.0 Normal +8.1
Grant County, KS 36.5 Normal -0.4
Morton County, KS 28.9 Healthy -8.0
Haskell County, KS 28.4 Healthy -8.6
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy -8.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stevens County
Swift County, MN 36.9 Normal 0.0
Stanton County, NE 36.9 Normal -0.0
Russell County, KS 36.9 Normal -0.0
Broadwater County, MT 36.9 Normal -0.1
Boyd County, NE 37.0 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stevens County

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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 Stevens County residents at no cost.

Kansas Legal Services 1-800-723-6953

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Stevens County has a County Distress Index score of 36.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,365th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stevens County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stevens 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 Stevens County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stevens County (36.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Seward County, KS (49.5); Texas County, OK (45.0); Grant County, KS (36.5).

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

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

    Stevens 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 Stevens County?

    Stevens County, Kansas has a population of approximately 5,077 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.