Wichita County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.8 | 2,082 people · 79th most distressed in Kansas
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Wichita County, KS ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.8 — 2772nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where debt and delinquency rates remain below the national norm. Within Kansas, it ranks 79th 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. Wichita County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 34.4 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 34.4
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 49
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 51
Subprime Credit Population 16
Legal Distress 34.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Structural Poverty 32.6
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 15
Economic Vitality 32.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 15.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wichita County
Wichita County, KS 29.8 Healthy —
Kearny County, KS 35.2 Normal +5.4
Wallace County, KS 31.9 Healthy +2.2
Scott County, KS 29.5 Healthy -0.2
Logan County, KS 27.9 Healthy -1.8
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy -4.4
Hamilton County, KS 23.6 Healthy -6.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wichita County
Judith Basin County, MT 29.7 Healthy -0.0
Pierce County, ND 29.8 Healthy +0.0
Liberty County, MT 29.6 Healthy -0.1
Treasure County, MT 29.9 Healthy +0.1
Valley County, NE 29.6 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Wichita County has a County Distress Index score of 29.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,772nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 79th in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wichita County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wichita County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 34.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Wichita County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wichita County (29.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Kearny County, KS (35.2); Wallace County, KS (31.9); Scott County, KS (29.5).

  • 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 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). Wichita County's score of 29.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wichita 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 Wichita County?

    Wichita County, Kansas has a population of approximately 2,082 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.