Washington County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.3 | 5,504 people · 100th most distressed in Kansas
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Washington County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.3 — 3045th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Kansas, it ranks 100th of 105 counties. It scores lower than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 44.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 44.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 35
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Structural Poverty 39.2
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 32
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Consumer Credit Distress 17.7
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 15
Housing Cost Burden 11.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 10
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 29
Legal Distress 11.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy —
Riley County, KS 50.0 Elevated +28.7
Marshall County, KS 39.1 Normal +17.8
Clay County, KS 38.9 Normal +17.6
Jefferson County, NE 38.1 Normal +16.8
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal +16.2
Cloud County, KS 36.5 Normal +15.2
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy +5.4
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy +4.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Clark County, SD 21.3 Healthy -0.0
Greeley County, NE 21.2 Healthy -0.1
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy +0.1
Rich County, UT 21.4 Healthy +0.1
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington County

Find an Attorney

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 Washington County residents at no cost.

Kansas Legal Services 1-800-723-6953

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Kansas →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 21.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,045th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 100th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 44.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (21.3) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Riley County, KS (50.0); Marshall County, KS (39.1); Clay County, KS (38.9).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 21.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Kansas has a population of approximately 5,504 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.