Wallace County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.9 | 1,509 people · 69th most distressed in Kansas
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Wallace County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.9 — 2654th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Kansas, it ranks 69th 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. Wallace County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 52.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 52.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Structural Poverty 45.2
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 55
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Economic Vitality 38.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 20
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Consumer Credit Distress 29.0
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 20.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 60

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wallace County
Wallace County, KS 31.9 Healthy —
Sherman County, KS 41.3 Normal +9.4
Kit Carson County, CO 38.5 Normal +6.6
Cheyenne County, CO 29.9 Healthy -2.0
Wichita County, KS 29.8 Healthy -2.2
Logan County, KS 27.9 Healthy -4.0
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy -6.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wallace County
Logan County, NE 31.9 Healthy +0.0
Brown County, IL 31.9 Healthy +0.0
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy -0.1
Sherman County, NE 31.7 Healthy -0.2
Pocahontas County, IA 32.1 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wallace 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

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Legal aid organizations serving Wallace 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 Wallace County, Kansas?

    Wallace County has a County Distress Index score of 31.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,654th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 69th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wallace County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wallace County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 52.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Wallace County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wallace County (31.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Sherman County, KS (41.3); Kit Carson County, CO (38.5); Cheyenne County, CO (29.9).

  • 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). Wallace County's score of 31.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wallace 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 Wallace County?

    Wallace County, Kansas has a population of approximately 1,509 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.