Woodson County, Kansas

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.6 | 3,115 people · 31st most distressed in Kansas
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Woodson County, KS falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.6 — 1923rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Kansas, it ranks 31st of 105 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Woodson County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 74.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 74.3
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 53
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 58
Disability Rate 88
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Economic Vitality 65.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 41
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Housing Cost Burden 41.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 50
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 19
Homeownership Rate 6
Consumer Credit Distress 39.7
Debt in Collections 40
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 39
Credit Card Delinquency 80
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 26
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Woodson County
Woodson County, KS 44.6 Normal —
Neosho County, KS 56.0 Elevated +11.4
Allen County, KS 49.4 Normal +4.8
Greenwood County, KS 48.8 Normal +4.2
Anderson County, KS 41.8 Normal -2.8
Wilson County, KS 40.0 Normal -4.6
Coffey County, KS 32.2 Healthy -12.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Woodson County
Dade County, MO 44.6 Normal 0.0
Coke County, TX 44.7 Normal +0.1
Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK 44.5 Normal -0.1
Presidio County, TX 44.7 Normal +0.1
Prince of Wales-Hyder Census Area, AK 44.7 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Woodson County has a County Distress Index score of 44.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,923rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Kansas out of 105 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Woodson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Woodson County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 74.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Woodson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Woodson County (44.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Neosho County, KS (56.0); Allen County, KS (49.4); Greenwood County, KS (48.8).

  • 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 Normal 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). Woodson County's score of 44.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Woodson 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 Woodson County?

    Woodson County, Kansas has a population of approximately 3,115 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.