Dundy County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.8 | 1,561 people · 83rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Dundy County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.8 — 3037th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Nebraska, it ranks 83rd of 93 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dundy County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 46.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 46.1
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 26
Economic Vitality 37.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 29
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 41
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 16.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Consumer Credit Distress 15.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 16
Housing Cost Burden 14.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dundy County
Dundy County, NE 21.8 Healthy —
Hitchcock County, NE 37.4 Normal +15.6
Cheyenne County, KS 34.5 Healthy +12.7
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy +11.9
Rawlins County, KS 28.3 Healthy +6.5
Hayes County, NE 28.0 Healthy +6.2
Chase County, NE 26.0 Healthy +4.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dundy County
Ness County, KS 21.6 Healthy -0.2
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy -0.2
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy +0.2
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy -0.2
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dundy 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 Dundy 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 Dundy County, Nebraska?

    Dundy County has a County Distress Index score of 21.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,037th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dundy County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dundy County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 46.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Dundy County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dundy County (21.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hitchcock County, NE (37.4); Cheyenne County, KS (34.5); Yuma County, CO (33.7).

  • 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). Dundy County's score of 21.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Dundy 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 Dundy County?

    Dundy County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 1,561 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.