Harlan County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.7 | 3,045 people · 79th most distressed in Nebraska
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Harlan County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.7 — 2973rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Nebraska, it ranks 79th 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. Harlan County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 42.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 42.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 55
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 42
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 36.3
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 59
Transfer Income Dependency 37
Housing Cost Burden 25.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 25
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 18.6
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 53
Subprime Credit Population 29
Legal Distress 17.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Harlan County
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy —
Norton County, KS 40.9 Normal +16.2
Furnas County, NE 40.2 Normal +15.5
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy +4.2
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy +3.2
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy +0.9
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy -1.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Harlan County
Trego County, KS 24.7 Healthy -0.0
Emmons County, ND 24.7 Healthy +0.0
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy +0.1
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy -0.1
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Harlan 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 Harlan 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 Harlan County, Nebraska?

    Harlan County has a County Distress Index score of 24.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,973rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 79th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Harlan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Harlan County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 42.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Harlan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Harlan County (24.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Norton County, KS (40.9); Furnas County, NE (40.2); Phelps County, NE (28.9).

  • 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). Harlan County's score of 24.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Harlan 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 Harlan County?

    Harlan County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 3,045 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.