Hooker County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.4 | 679 people · 33rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Hooker County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.4 — 2567th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 33rd 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. Hooker County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 63.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 63.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 56
Business Formation Rate 11
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 59.6
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 17
Income vs. State Median 89
Child Poverty Rate 27
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 78
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Housing Cost Burden 26.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 93
Consumer Credit Distress 21.8
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 52
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hooker County
Hooker County, NE 33.4 Healthy —
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy -1.7
Arthur County, NE 31.4 Healthy -1.9
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy -2.8
McPherson County, NE 29.1 Healthy -4.3
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy -7.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hooker County
Pope County, IL 33.4 Healthy +0.0
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy -0.1
Adams County, IA 33.3 Healthy -0.1
Yakutat City and Borough, AK 33.5 Healthy +0.2
Pondera County, MT 33.5 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hooker 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 Hooker 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 Hooker County, Nebraska?

    Hooker County has a County Distress Index score of 33.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,567th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hooker County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hooker County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 63.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Hooker County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hooker County (33.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Cherry County, NE (31.6); Arthur County, NE (31.4); Thomas County, NE (30.6).

  • 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). Hooker County's score of 33.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hooker 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 Hooker County?

    Hooker County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 679 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.