Colfax County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.5 | 10,566 people · 55th most distressed in Nebraska
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Colfax County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.5 — 2825th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Nebraska, it ranks 55th 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. Colfax County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 52.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 52.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Economic Vitality 42.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Consumer Credit Distress 33.6
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 26
Uninsured Rate 73
Subprime Credit Population 38
Structural Poverty 16.9
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 31
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 11
Housing Cost Burden 10.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 41

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Colfax County
Colfax County, NE 28.5 Healthy —
Dodge County, NE 37.6 Normal +9.1
Stanton County, NE 36.9 Normal +8.4
Platte County, NE 32.7 Healthy +4.3
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy -1.6
Cuming County, NE 19.4 Healthy -9.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Colfax County
Madison County, IA 28.5 Healthy +0.0
Routt County, CO 28.5 Healthy +0.0
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy -0.1
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy -0.1
Lincoln County, ME 28.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Colfax 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 Colfax 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Colfax County has a County Distress Index score of 28.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,825th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 55th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Colfax County?

    The primary driver of distress in Colfax County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 52.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Colfax County compare to neighboring counties?

    Colfax County (28.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Dodge County, NE (37.6); Stanton County, NE (36.9); Platte County, NE (32.7).

  • 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). Colfax County's score of 28.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Colfax 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 Colfax County?

    Colfax County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 10,566 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.