Adams County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.9 | 30,899 people · 10th most distressed in Nebraska
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Adams County, NE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.9 — 1852nd 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 Nebraska, it ranks 10th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Adams County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 79.8 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 79.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 84
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 32
Homeownership Rate 75
Legal Distress 78.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 79
Economic Vitality 35.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 23
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 46
Consumer Credit Distress 31.4
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 34
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 40
Structural Poverty 30.3
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 37
Income vs. State Median 44
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal —
Hall County, NE 53.3 Elevated +7.4
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal -8.6
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal -9.4
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy -20.3
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy -25.1
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy -28.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Lancaster County, VA 45.8 Normal -0.1
Gladwin County, MI 46.0 Normal +0.1
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal -0.1
Waldo County, ME 46.1 Normal +0.2
Middlesex County, VA 45.7 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

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

Nebraska State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 402-475-7091

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Legal aid organizations serving Adams County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of Nebraska 1-877-250-2016

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Adams County, Nebraska?

    Adams County has a County Distress Index score of 45.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,852nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 10th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Adams County?

    The primary driver of distress in Adams County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 79.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Adams County compare to neighboring counties?

    Adams County (45.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hall County, NE (53.3); Buffalo County, NE (37.3); Webster County, NE (36.5).

  • 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). Adams County's score of 45.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Adams 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 Adams County?

    Adams County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 30,899 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.