Hayes County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.0 | 846 people · 60th most distressed in Nebraska
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Hayes County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.0 — 2850th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Nebraska, it ranks 60th of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hayes County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 66.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 66.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 80
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Structural Poverty 39.4
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 50
Disability Rate 38
Transfer Income Dependency 7
Consumer Credit Distress 20.0
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 7
Housing Cost Burden 16.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 25
Homeownership Rate 66

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hayes County
Hayes County, NE 28.0 Healthy —
Lincoln County, NE 45.2 Normal +17.3
Hitchcock County, NE 37.4 Normal +9.4
Frontier County, NE 30.9 Healthy +2.9
Chase County, NE 26.0 Healthy -1.9
Perkins County, NE 23.3 Healthy -4.7
Dundy County, NE 21.8 Healthy -6.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hayes County
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy +0.0
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy -0.0
Logan County, KS 27.9 Healthy -0.0
Phillips County, MT 27.9 Healthy -0.0
Stanton County, KS 28.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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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 Hayes 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 Hayes County, Nebraska?

    Hayes County has a County Distress Index score of 28.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,850th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 60th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hayes County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hayes County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 66.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Hayes County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hayes County (28.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lincoln County, NE (45.2); Hitchcock County, NE (37.4); Frontier County, NE (30.9).

  • 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). Hayes County's score of 28.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hayes 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 Hayes County?

    Hayes County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 846 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.