Cass County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.3 | 27,446 people · 62nd most distressed in Nebraska
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Cass County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.3 — 2875th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 62nd of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cass County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 63.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 63.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Legal Distress 60.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Housing Cost Burden 31.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 16.7
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 11
Structural Poverty 14.7
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 3
Income vs. State Median 12
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 32
Transfer Income Dependency 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
Cass County, NE 27.3 Healthy —
Lancaster County, NE 39.7 Normal +12.3
Mills County, IA 33.2 Healthy +5.9
Sarpy County, NE 32.1 Healthy +4.8
Fremont County, IA 26.5 Healthy -0.8
Otoe County, NE 26.2 Healthy -1.1
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy -6.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
Davison County, SD 27.3 Healthy -0.0
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy -0.0
Jefferson County, WA 27.2 Healthy -0.1
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy +0.1
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cass 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Cass 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 Cass County, Nebraska?

    Cass County has a County Distress Index score of 27.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,875th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cass County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cass County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 63.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Cass County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cass County (27.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lancaster County, NE (39.7); Mills County, IA (33.2); Sarpy County, NE (32.1).

  • 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). Cass County's score of 27.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cass 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 Cass County?

    Cass County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 27,446 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.