Dawson County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.2 | 24,085 people · 15th most distressed in Nebraska
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Dawson County, NE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.2 — 2181st 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 15th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dawson County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 49.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 49.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 85
Consumer Credit Distress 43.1
Debt in Collections 32
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 48
Credit Card Delinquency 40
Uninsured Rate 74
Subprime Credit Population 42
Economic Vitality 39.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 87
Structural Poverty 27.6
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Legal Distress 17.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dawson County
Dawson County, NE 40.2 Normal —
Lincoln County, NE 45.2 Normal +5.0
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal -2.9
Frontier County, NE 30.9 Healthy -9.4
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy -11.3
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy -13.0
Gosper County, NE 26.3 Healthy -14.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dawson County
Nez Perce County, ID 40.2 Normal +0.0
Dickinson County, MI 40.3 Normal +0.0
Butte County, SD 40.2 Normal -0.0
Sevier County, UT 40.3 Normal +0.0
Menominee County, MI 40.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dawson 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 Dawson 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 Dawson County, Nebraska?

    Dawson County has a County Distress Index score of 40.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,181st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dawson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dawson County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 49.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Dawson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dawson County (40.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lincoln County, NE (45.2); Buffalo County, NE (37.3); Frontier 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 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). Dawson County's score of 40.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Dawson 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 Dawson County?

    Dawson County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 24,085 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.