Trego County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.7 | 2,731 people · 95th most distressed in Kansas
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Trego County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.7 — 2974th 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 95th of 105 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Trego County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 38.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 38.9
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Economic Vitality 36.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 44
Rent-to-Income Ratio 26
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 35.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 30
Consumer Credit Distress 16.4
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 10
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Trego County
Trego County, KS 24.7 Healthy —
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal +14.7
Rooks County, KS 34.4 Healthy +9.7
Graham County, KS 30.3 Healthy +5.6
Ness County, KS 21.6 Healthy -3.1
Gove County, KS 19.9 Healthy -4.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Trego County
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy +0.0
Emmons County, ND 24.7 Healthy +0.1
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy -0.1
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy +0.1
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Trego County has a County Distress Index score of 24.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,974th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 95th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Trego County?

    The primary driver of distress in Trego County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 38.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Trego County compare to neighboring counties?

    Trego County (24.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Ellis County, KS (39.4); Rooks County, KS (34.4); Graham County, KS (30.3).

  • 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). Trego County's score of 24.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Trego 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 Trego County?

    Trego County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,731 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.