Hamilton County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 17.9 | 9,537 people · 90th most distressed in Nebraska
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Hamilton County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 17.9 — 3106th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 90th of 93 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hamilton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 33.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 33.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 33
Housing Cost Burden 29.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 66
Homeownership Rate 7
Economic Vitality 16.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 12.8
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 22
Structural Poverty 9.2
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 11
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamilton County
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy —
Hall County, NE 53.3 Elevated +35.4
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal +28.0
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy +13.3
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy +12.9
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy +2.8
Polk County, NE 19.5 Healthy +1.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamilton County
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy +0.0
Oliver County, ND 18.0 Healthy +0.0
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy +0.1
Spink County, SD 17.6 Healthy -0.4
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hamilton 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, Nebraska?

    Hamilton County has a County Distress Index score of 17.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,106th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 90th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hamilton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hamilton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 33.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Hamilton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hamilton County (17.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hall County, NE (53.3); Adams County, NE (45.9); Merrick County, NE (31.3).

  • 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). Hamilton County's score of 17.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?

    Hamilton County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 9,537 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.