Franklin County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.9 | 2,825 people · 61st most distressed in Nebraska
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Franklin County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.9 — 2851st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Nebraska, it ranks 61st of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Franklin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 54.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 54.2
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 42
Income vs. State Median 75
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 75
Transfer Income Dependency 59
Economic Vitality 53.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 72
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 35
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Consumer Credit Distress 25.6
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 18
Housing Cost Burden 13.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 21
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Franklin County
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy —
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal +8.6
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy +5.3
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy +1.0
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy -2.4
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy -3.2
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy -5.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Franklin County
Logan County, KS 27.9 Healthy -0.0
Phillips County, MT 27.9 Healthy -0.0
Hayes County, NE 28.0 Healthy +0.0
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy +0.0
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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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 Franklin 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 Franklin County, Nebraska?

    Franklin County has a County Distress Index score of 27.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,851st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Franklin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Franklin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 54.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Franklin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Franklin County (27.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Webster County, NE (36.5); Smith County, KS (33.3); Phelps County, NE (28.9).

  • 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 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). Franklin County's score of 27.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Franklin 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 Franklin County?

    Franklin County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 2,825 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.