Chase County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.0 | 3,724 people · 71st most distressed in Nebraska
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Chase County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.0 — 2931st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Nebraska, it ranks 71st of 93 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Chase County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 53.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 53.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Economic Vitality 28.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 57
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Consumer Credit Distress 24.1
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 61
Subprime Credit Population 12
Structural Poverty 23.0
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 42
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 23
Housing Cost Burden 21.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 16
Homeownership Rate 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Chase County
Chase County, NE 26.0 Healthy —
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy +7.7
Phillips County, CO 28.1 Healthy +2.1
Hayes County, NE 28.0 Healthy +1.9
Perkins County, NE 23.3 Healthy -2.8
Dundy County, NE 21.8 Healthy -4.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Chase County
Wayne County, UT 26.0 Healthy -0.0
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy +0.0
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Ellsworth County, KS 26.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Chase 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 Chase County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of Nebraska 1-877-250-2016

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Nebraska →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Chase County, Nebraska?

    Chase County has a County Distress Index score of 26.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,931st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 71st in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Chase County?

    The primary driver of distress in Chase County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 53.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Chase County compare to neighboring counties?

    Chase County (26.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Yuma County, CO (33.7); Phillips County, CO (28.1); Hayes County, NE (28.0).

  • 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). Chase County's score of 26.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Chase 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 Chase County?

    Chase County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 3,724 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.