Hall County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.3 | 62,197 people · 3rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Hall County, NE registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.3 — 1380th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Nebraska, it ranks 3rd of 93 counties. It scores higher 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. Hall County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 60.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 60.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 70
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 88
Economic Vitality 58.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 65
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 62
Consumer Credit Distress 57.9
Debt in Collections 61
Medical Debt 93
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 79
Subprime Credit Population 53
Legal Distress 45.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Structural Poverty 27.0
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 34
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hall County
Hall County, NE 53.3 Elevated —
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal -7.4
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal -16.0
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy -21.0
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy -22.1
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy -35.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hall County
Rockwall County, TX 53.3 Elevated +0.0
Humboldt County, CA 53.3 Elevated -0.0
Morgan County, IN 53.4 Elevated +0.1
Davidson County, NC 53.5 Elevated +0.1
Umatilla County, OR 53.5 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hall 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 Hall 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 Hall County, Nebraska?

    Hall County has a County Distress Index score of 53.3 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,380th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hall County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hall County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 60.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Hall County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hall County (53.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Adams County, NE (45.9); Buffalo County, NE (37.3); Howard County, NE (32.4).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Hall County's score of 53.3 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Hall 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 Hall County?

    Hall County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 62,197 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.