Arthur County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.4 | 412 people · 43rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Arthur County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.4 — 2679th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 43rd of 93 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Arthur County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 61.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 61.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 91
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 10
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 48.2
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 62
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 9
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 25.2
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 52
Subprime Credit Population 21
Housing Cost Burden 17.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 50

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Arthur County
Arthur County, NE 31.4 Healthy —
Keith County, NE 38.9 Normal +7.5
Hooker County, NE 33.4 Healthy +1.9
Garden County, NE 29.6 Healthy -1.8
McPherson County, NE 29.1 Healthy -2.3
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy -5.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Arthur County
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy 0.0
Garfield County, UT 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Knox County, MO 31.4 Healthy -0.0
Clark County, KS 31.4 Healthy -0.0
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Arthur County

Find an Attorney

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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Arthur 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 Arthur County, Nebraska?

    Arthur County has a County Distress Index score of 31.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,679th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 43rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Arthur County?

    The primary driver of distress in Arthur County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 61.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Arthur County compare to neighboring counties?

    Arthur County (31.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Keith County, NE (38.9); Hooker County, NE (33.4); Garden County, NE (29.6).

  • 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). Arthur County's score of 31.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Arthur 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 Arthur County?

    Arthur County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 412 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.