Wabaunsee County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.9 | 7,057 people · 90th most distressed in Kansas
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Wabaunsee County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.9 — 2893rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Kansas, it ranks 90th of 105 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wabaunsee County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 59.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 59.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 48
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Legal Distress 28.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28
Structural Poverty 27.1
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 26
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Consumer Credit Distress 23.0
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 65
Subprime Credit Population 14
Housing Cost Burden 21.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 19
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wabaunsee County
Wabaunsee County, KS 26.9 Healthy —
Geary County, KS 66.4 Serious +39.5
Shawnee County, KS 57.1 Elevated +30.2
Lyon County, KS 54.8 Elevated +27.9
Riley County, KS 50.0 Elevated +23.1
Osage County, KS 45.4 Normal +18.5
Morris County, KS 35.5 Normal +8.6
Pottawatomie County, KS 21.0 Healthy -5.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wabaunsee County
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy -0.1
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy +0.2
Meagher County, MT 26.7 Healthy -0.2
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy -0.2
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Wabaunsee County has a County Distress Index score of 26.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,893rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 90th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wabaunsee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wabaunsee County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 59.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Wabaunsee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wabaunsee County (26.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Geary County, KS (66.4); Shawnee County, KS (57.1); Lyon County, KS (54.8).

  • 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). Wabaunsee County's score of 26.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wabaunsee 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 Wabaunsee County?

    Wabaunsee County, Kansas has a population of approximately 7,057 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.