Boone County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 15.5 | 5,310 people · 93rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Boone County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 15.5 — 3129th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 93rd of 93 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Boone County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 42.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 42.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Economic Vitality 29.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 28
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 86
Structural Poverty 23.8
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 45
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 27
Housing Cost Burden 11.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 23
Consumer Credit Distress 8.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Boone County
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy —
Madison County, NE 34.8 Healthy +19.3
Platte County, NE 32.7 Healthy +17.2
Wheeler County, NE 27.3 Healthy +11.8
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy +11.7
Antelope County, NE 25.8 Healthy +10.3
Greeley County, NE 21.2 Healthy +5.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Boone County
Cavalier County, ND 15.7 Healthy +0.1
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy -0.2
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy +0.2
Gray County, KS 15.3 Healthy -0.2
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Boone 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 Boone 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 Boone County, Nebraska?

    Boone County has a County Distress Index score of 15.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,129th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 93rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Boone County?

    The primary driver of distress in Boone County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 42.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Boone County compare to neighboring counties?

    Boone County (15.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Madison County, NE (34.8); Platte County, NE (32.7); Wheeler County, NE (27.3).

  • 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). Boone County's score of 15.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Boone 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 Boone County?

    Boone County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 5,310 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.