Butler County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.8 | 8,459 people · 66th most distressed in Nebraska
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Butler County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.8 — 2899th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 66th of 93 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Butler County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 72.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 72.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Housing Cost Burden 27.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 11
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 50
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 25
Homeownership Rate 18
Economic Vitality 25.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 15
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 18
Consumer Credit Distress 22.4
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 26
Structural Poverty 17.4
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 22
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy —
Lancaster County, NE 39.7 Normal +12.8
Dodge County, NE 37.6 Normal +10.7
Platte County, NE 32.7 Healthy +5.9
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy +4.0
Colfax County, NE 28.5 Healthy +1.6
Seward County, NE 26.2 Healthy -0.7
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy -6.0
Polk County, NE 19.5 Healthy -7.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Wabaunsee County, KS 26.9 Healthy +0.1
Meagher County, MT 26.7 Healthy -0.1
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy -0.1
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy -0.1
McCone County, MT 26.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Butler 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 Butler 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 Butler County, Nebraska?

    Butler County has a County Distress Index score of 26.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,899th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Butler County?

    The primary driver of distress in Butler County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 72.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Butler County compare to neighboring counties?

    Butler County (26.8) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Lancaster County, NE (39.7); Dodge County, NE (37.6); Platte County, NE (32.7).

  • 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). Butler County's score of 26.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Butler 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 Butler County?

    Butler County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 8,459 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.