Jefferson County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.1 | 7,054 people · 19th most distressed in Nebraska
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Jefferson County, NE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.1 — 2307th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 19th of 93 counties. It scores higher 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. Jefferson County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 71.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 71.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 71
Economic Vitality 47.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 88
Structural Poverty 46.8
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 56
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 86
Transfer Income Dependency 47
Housing Cost Burden 42.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 44
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 71
Homeownership Rate 61
Consumer Credit Distress 26.8
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 43
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Jefferson County, NE 38.1 Normal —
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal -0.6
Saline County, NE 34.9 Healthy -3.2
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy -11.4
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy -12.5
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy -12.9
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy -16.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Wirt County, WV 38.1 Normal +0.0
Keokuk County, IA 38.0 Normal -0.1
Hot Springs County, WY 38.0 Normal -0.1
Hancock County, KY 38.3 Normal +0.2
Sitka City and Borough, AK 37.9 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jefferson County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Jefferson County.

BLUE VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP
Fairbury
402-729-2278
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair HousingPre-Lease/Pre-Purchase

See all counselors in Nebraska →

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 Jefferson County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of Nebraska 1-877-250-2016

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Jefferson County, Nebraska?

    Jefferson County has a County Distress Index score of 38.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,307th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jefferson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jefferson County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 71.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Jefferson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jefferson County (38.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Gage County, NE (37.5); Saline County, NE (34.9); Republic County, KS (26.7).

  • 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 Normal 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). Jefferson County's score of 38.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?

    Jefferson County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 7,054 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.