Cherry County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.6 | 5,492 people · 41st most distressed in Nebraska
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Cherry County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.6 — 2666th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 41st of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 10 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cherry County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 56.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 56.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 79
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 19
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Structural Poverty 38.3
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Consumer Credit Distress 31.4
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 58
Credit Card Delinquency 36
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 11
Housing Cost Burden 24.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 59
Homeownership Rate 90
Legal Distress 11.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cherry County
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy —
Todd County, SD 59.6 Elevated +28.0
Bennett County, SD 44.2 Normal +12.6
Brown County, NE 42.2 Normal +10.6
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal +7.0
Hooker County, NE 33.4 Healthy +1.7
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy -1.1
Blaine County, NE 28.4 Healthy -3.2
Sheridan County, NE 28.3 Healthy -3.3
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy -3.7
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy -5.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cherry County
Edwards County, IL 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Wayne County, NE 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Daviess County, MO 31.6 Healthy -0.1
Sherman County, NE 31.7 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cherry 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 Cherry 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 Cherry County, Nebraska?

    Cherry County has a County Distress Index score of 31.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,666th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cherry County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cherry County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 56.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Cherry County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cherry County (31.6) can be compared to its 10 neighboring counties: Todd County, SD (59.6); Bennett County, SD (44.2); Brown County, NE (42.2).

  • 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 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). Cherry County's score of 31.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cherry 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 Cherry County?

    Cherry County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 5,492 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.