Grant County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.1 | 565 people · 70th most distressed in Nebraska
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Grant County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.1 — 2925th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 70th of 93 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Grant County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 46.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 46.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 78
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Structural Poverty 33.5
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 33
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Consumer Credit Distress 22.0
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 16.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 76

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy —
Hooker County, NE 33.4 Healthy +7.2
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy +5.5
Arthur County, NE 31.4 Healthy +5.3
Garden County, NE 29.6 Healthy +3.4
Sheridan County, NE 28.3 Healthy +2.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy 0.0
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -0.1
Ellsworth County, KS 26.3 Healthy +0.1
Gosper County, NE 26.3 Healthy +0.1
Chase County, NE 26.0 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Grant County

Find an Attorney

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 Grant 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 Grant County, Nebraska?

    Grant County has a County Distress Index score of 26.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,925th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 70th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Grant County?

    The primary driver of distress in Grant County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 46.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Grant County compare to neighboring counties?

    Grant County (26.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Hooker County, NE (33.4); Cherry County, NE (31.6); Arthur County, NE (31.4).

  • 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). Grant County's score of 26.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Grant 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 Grant County?

    Grant County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 565 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.