Dakota County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.8 | 21,268 people · 5th most distressed in Nebraska
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Dakota County, NE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.8 — 1661st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Nebraska, it ranks 5th of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dakota County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 55.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 55.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 68
Homeownership Rate 85
Consumer Credit Distress 51.5
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 42
Credit Card Delinquency 49
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 56
Legal Distress 45.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Economic Vitality 42.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 36
Structural Poverty 33.6
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 50
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 62
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dakota County
Dakota County, NE 48.8 Normal —
Thurston County, NE 54.5 Elevated +5.8
Woodbury County, IA 51.5 Elevated +2.8
Union County, SD 21.9 Healthy -26.8
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy -28.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dakota County
Morrow County, OH 48.7 Normal -0.0
Clatsop County, OR 48.8 Normal +0.1
Morgan County, CO 48.9 Normal +0.1
Madison County, AR 48.6 Normal -0.1
Alleghany County, NC 48.6 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dakota 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 Dakota 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 Dakota County, Nebraska?

    Dakota County has a County Distress Index score of 48.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,661st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 5th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dakota County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dakota County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 55.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Dakota County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dakota County (48.8) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Thurston County, NE (54.5); Woodbury County, IA (51.5); Union County, SD (21.9).

  • 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 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). Dakota County's score of 48.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Dakota 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 Dakota County?

    Dakota County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 21,268 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.