Blaine County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.4 | 436 people · 56th most distressed in Nebraska
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Blaine County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.4 — 2828th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Nebraska, it ranks 56th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Blaine County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.4
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 69
Income vs. State Median 90
Child Poverty Rate 83
Disability Rate 83
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Economic Vitality 46.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 19.7
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 15.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 8
Homeownership Rate 65

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Blaine County
Blaine County, NE 28.4 Healthy —
Brown County, NE 42.2 Normal +13.8
Logan County, NE 31.9 Healthy +3.5
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy +3.2
Loup County, NE 30.6 Healthy +2.1
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy +2.1
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy -1.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Blaine County
Jewell County, KS 28.4 Healthy 0.0
Clearwater County, MN 28.4 Healthy -0.0
Madison County, MT 28.5 Healthy +0.0
Haskell County, KS 28.4 Healthy -0.1
Burt County, NE 28.3 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Blaine 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 Blaine 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 Blaine County, Nebraska?

    Blaine County has a County Distress Index score of 28.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,828th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 56th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Blaine County?

    The primary driver of distress in Blaine County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Blaine County compare to neighboring counties?

    Blaine County (28.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Brown County, NE (42.2); Logan County, NE (31.9); Cherry County, NE (31.6).

  • 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). Blaine County's score of 28.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Blaine 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 Blaine County?

    Blaine County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 436 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.