Dodge County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.6 | 37,187 people · 20th most distressed in Nebraska
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Dodge County, NE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.6 — 2334th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 20th of 93 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dodge County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 67.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 67.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Economic Vitality 45.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 42
Business Formation Rate 52
House Price Change (YoY) 18
Housing Cost Burden 43.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 80
Consumer Credit Distress 31.4
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 46
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 29
Structural Poverty 28.1
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 43
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 28

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dodge County
Dodge County, NE 37.6 Normal —
Douglas County, NE 48.7 Normal +11.1
Colfax County, NE 28.5 Healthy -9.1
Burt County, NE 28.3 Healthy -9.3
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy -10.7
Washington County, NE 25.0 Healthy -12.6
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy -16.7
Cuming County, NE 19.4 Healthy -18.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dodge County
Hardin County, IA 37.6 Normal 0.0
Douglas County, WI 37.5 Normal -0.0
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal -0.1
Houghton County, MI 37.5 Normal -0.1
Union County, IA 37.7 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dodge 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Dodge 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 Dodge County, Nebraska?

    Dodge County has a County Distress Index score of 37.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,334th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 20th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dodge County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dodge County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 67.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Dodge County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dodge County (37.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Douglas County, NE (48.7); Colfax County, NE (28.5); Burt County, NE (28.3).

  • 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). Dodge County's score of 37.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Dodge 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 Dodge County?

    Dodge County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 37,187 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.