Buffalo County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.3 | 50,697 people · 23rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Buffalo County, NE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.3 — 2352nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Nebraska, it ranks 23rd of 93 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Buffalo County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 62.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 62.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 48
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 62
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 86
Homeownership Rate 84
Legal Distress 41.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Economic Vitality 36.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 72
Consumer Credit Distress 31.9
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 68
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 28
Structural Poverty 12.7
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 19
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 27
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Buffalo County
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal —
Hall County, NE 53.3 Elevated +16.0
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal +8.6
Dawson County, NE 40.2 Normal +2.9
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy -5.0
Sherman County, NE 31.7 Healthy -5.6
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy -8.4
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy -10.1
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy -11.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Buffalo County
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal -0.0
Frederick County, VA 37.4 Normal +0.1
Adams County, PA 37.5 Normal +0.2
Kauai County, HI 37.5 Normal +0.2
Franklin County, VA 37.5 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Buffalo County

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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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, Nebraska?

    Buffalo County has a County Distress Index score of 37.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,352nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Buffalo County?

    The primary driver of distress in Buffalo County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 62.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Buffalo County compare to neighboring counties?

    Buffalo County (37.3) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Hall County, NE (53.3); Adams County, NE (45.9); Dawson County, NE (40.2).

  • 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). Buffalo County's score of 37.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Buffalo 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 Buffalo County?

    Buffalo County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 50,697 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.