Cheyenne County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.2 | 9,541 people · 14th most distressed in Nebraska
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Cheyenne County, NE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.2 — 2113th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Nebraska, it ranks 14th of 93 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cheyenne County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 68.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 68.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 56
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 93
Housing Cost Burden 58.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 80
Structural Poverty 46.7
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 69
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 34
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Legal Distress 43.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 25.9
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 48

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cheyenne County
Cheyenne County, NE 41.2 Normal —
Sedgwick County, CO 57.0 Elevated +15.8
Kimball County, NE 47.2 Normal +5.9
Logan County, CO 44.4 Normal +3.2
Morrill County, NE 33.8 Healthy -7.4
Deuel County, NE 32.1 Healthy -9.1
Garden County, NE 29.6 Healthy -11.6
Banner County, NE 29.4 Healthy -11.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cheyenne County
Aleutians West Census Area, AK 41.2 Normal +0.0
Borden County, TX 41.2 Normal +0.0
San Juan County, CO 41.3 Normal +0.0
Monona County, IA 41.3 Normal +0.0
Catron County, NM 41.2 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County, Nebraska?

    Cheyenne County has a County Distress Index score of 41.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,113th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cheyenne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cheyenne County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 68.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Cheyenne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cheyenne County (41.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Sedgwick County, CO (57.0); Kimball County, NE (47.2); Logan County, CO (44.4).

  • 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). Cheyenne County's score of 41.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County?

    Cheyenne County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 9,541 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.