Antelope County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.8 | 6,302 people · 72nd most distressed in Nebraska
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Antelope County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.8 — 2937th 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 Nebraska, it ranks 72nd of 93 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. Antelope County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 28.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 28.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 27.6
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 65
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 5
Structural Poverty 26.7
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Housing Cost Burden 23.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 65
Homeownership Rate 44
Legal Distress 16.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Antelope County
Antelope County, NE 25.8 Healthy —
Madison County, NE 34.8 Healthy +9.0
Wheeler County, NE 27.3 Healthy +1.5
Pierce County, NE 24.5 Healthy -1.3
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy -2.5
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -8.0
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy -10.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Antelope County
Big Stone County, MN 25.8 Healthy +0.0
Bristol Bay Borough, AK 25.6 Healthy -0.1
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy -0.1
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy -0.2
Wayne County, UT 26.0 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Antelope 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 Antelope 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 Antelope County, Nebraska?

    Antelope County has a County Distress Index score of 25.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,937th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 72nd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Antelope County?

    The primary driver of distress in Antelope County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 28.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Antelope County compare to neighboring counties?

    Antelope County (25.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Madison County, NE (34.8); Wheeler County, NE (27.3); Pierce County, NE (24.5).

  • 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). Antelope County's score of 25.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Antelope 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 Antelope County?

    Antelope County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 6,302 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.