Garden County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.6 | 1,794 people · 51st most distressed in Nebraska
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Garden County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.6 — 2780th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Nebraska, it ranks 51st of 93 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Garden County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 76.7 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 76.7
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 74
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 84
Economic Vitality 57.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 11
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Consumer Credit Distress 22.9
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 7
Legal Distress 12.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12
Housing Cost Burden 9.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Garden County
Garden County, NE 29.6 Healthy —
Cheyenne County, NE 41.2 Normal +11.6
Keith County, NE 38.9 Normal +9.3
Morrill County, NE 33.8 Healthy +4.2
Deuel County, NE 32.1 Healthy +2.6
Arthur County, NE 31.4 Healthy +1.8
Sheridan County, NE 28.3 Healthy -1.3
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy -3.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Garden County
Taylor County, IA 29.6 Healthy -0.0
San Miguel County, CO 29.6 Healthy +0.1
Holt County, MO 29.6 Healthy +0.1
Scott County, KS 29.5 Healthy -0.1
Liberty County, MT 29.6 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Garden 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 Garden 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 Garden County, Nebraska?

    Garden County has a County Distress Index score of 29.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,780th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Garden County?

    The primary driver of distress in Garden County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 76.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Garden County compare to neighboring counties?

    Garden County (29.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Cheyenne County, NE (41.2); Keith County, NE (38.9); Morrill County, NE (33.8).

  • 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). Garden County's score of 29.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Garden 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 Garden County?

    Garden County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 1,794 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.