Greeley County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.2 | 2,219 people · 84th most distressed in Nebraska
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Greeley County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.2 — 3047th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 84th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Greeley County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 46.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 46.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 31
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 39.8
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 26
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Legal Distress 31.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 31
Housing Cost Burden 13.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 24
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 6
Homeownership Rate 10
Consumer Credit Distress 13.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Greeley County
Greeley County, NE 21.2 Healthy —
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy +11.2
Sherman County, NE 31.7 Healthy +10.6
Valley County, NE 29.6 Healthy +8.5
Wheeler County, NE 27.3 Healthy +6.1
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy +6.0
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy -5.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Greeley County
Clark County, SD 21.3 Healthy +0.1
Johnson County, WY 21.1 Healthy -0.1
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy +0.1
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy -0.2
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Greeley 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

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Legal aid organizations serving Greeley 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 Greeley County, Nebraska?

    Greeley County has a County Distress Index score of 21.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,047th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 84th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Greeley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Greeley County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 46.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Greeley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Greeley County (21.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Howard County, NE (32.4); Sherman County, NE (31.7); Valley County, NE (29.6).

  • 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). Greeley County's score of 21.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Greeley 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 Greeley County?

    Greeley County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 2,219 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.