Nez Perce County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.2 | 42,987 people · 14th most distressed in Idaho
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Nez Perce County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.2 — 2179th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Idaho, it ranks 14th of 44 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Nez Perce County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 71.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 71.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 60
Homeownership Rate 61
Economic Vitality 58.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 48
Business Formation Rate 50
House Price Change (YoY) 81
Structural Poverty 39.3
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 39
Consumer Credit Distress 25.1
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 56
Subprime Credit Population 30
Legal Distress 20.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nez Perce County
Nez Perce County, ID 40.2 Normal —
Asotin County, WA 48.4 Normal +8.1
Whitman County, WA 41.1 Normal +0.9
Clearwater County, ID 40.5 Normal +0.3
Latah County, ID 36.7 Normal -3.6
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal -4.3
Wallowa County, OR 34.2 Healthy -6.1
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy -6.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nez Perce County
Dickinson County, MI 40.3 Normal +0.0
Dawson County, NE 40.2 Normal -0.0
Sevier County, UT 40.3 Normal +0.0
Menominee County, MI 40.3 Normal +0.0
Butte County, SD 40.2 Normal -0.0

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Nez Perce County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Nez Perce County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Nez Perce County.

IDAHO HOUSING AND FINANCE ASSOCIATION--LEWISTON BRANCH OFFICE
Lewiston
208-743-0251 Website
Foreclosure PreventionHomeless/DisplacementPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Idaho →

Find an Attorney

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 208-334-4500

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Nez Perce County residents at no cost.

Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. 208-336-8980
Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program 208-334-4500

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 Idaho →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Nez Perce County, Idaho?

    Nez Perce County has a County Distress Index score of 40.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,179th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nez Perce County?

    The primary driver of distress in Nez Perce County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 71.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Nez Perce County compare to neighboring counties?

    Nez Perce County (40.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Asotin County, WA (48.4); Whitman County, WA (41.1); Clearwater County, ID (40.5).

  • 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 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). Nez Perce County's score of 40.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Nez Perce County's CDI score?

    Nez Perce 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 Nez Perce County?

    Nez Perce County, Idaho has a population of approximately 42,987 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.