Clay County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.8 | 6,116 people · 86th most distressed in Nebraska
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Clay County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.8 — 3057th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Nebraska, it ranks 86th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clay County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 27.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 27.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 89
Structural Poverty 25.1
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 17
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 26
Consumer Credit Distress 21.1
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 24
Legal Distress 17.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Housing Cost Burden 15.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy —
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal +25.1
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal +15.7
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy +10.1
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy +4.4
Nuckolls County, NE 25.1 Healthy +4.3
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy -2.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy +0.0
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy -0.0
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy -0.1
Daniels County, MT 20.9 Healthy +0.2
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

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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 Clay 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 Clay County, Nebraska?

    Clay County has a County Distress Index score of 20.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,057th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 86th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clay County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clay County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 27.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Clay County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clay County (20.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Adams County, NE (45.9); Webster County, NE (36.5); York County, NE (30.9).

  • 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). Clay County's score of 20.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Clay 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 Clay County?

    Clay County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 6,116 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.