Howard County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.4 | 6,527 people · 35th most distressed in Nebraska
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Howard County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.4 — 2628th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 35th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Howard County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 56.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 56.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 22
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Consumer Credit Distress 32.1
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 64
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 14
Legal Distress 31.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32
Housing Cost Burden 27.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 52
Structural Poverty 25.7
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 37
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 34
Transfer Income Dependency 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Howard County
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy —
Hall County, NE 53.3 Elevated +21.0
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal +5.0
Sherman County, NE 31.7 Healthy -0.6
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy -1.1
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy -5.2
Greeley County, NE 21.2 Healthy -11.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Howard County
Kalawao County, HI 32.4 Healthy +0.0
Scotland County, MO 32.3 Healthy -0.0
Copper River Census Area, AK 32.4 Healthy +0.1
Kingman County, KS 32.4 Healthy +0.1
Richardson County, NE 32.3 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Howard 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 Howard 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 Howard County, Nebraska?

    Howard County has a County Distress Index score of 32.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,628th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Howard County?

    The primary driver of distress in Howard County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 56.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Howard County compare to neighboring counties?

    Howard County (32.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hall County, NE (53.3); Buffalo County, NE (37.3); Sherman County, NE (31.7).

  • 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). Howard County's score of 32.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Howard 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 Howard County?

    Howard County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 6,527 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.