Kearney County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.6 | 6,770 people · 74th most distressed in Nebraska
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Kearney County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.6 — 2944th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 74th 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. Kearney County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 37.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 37.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Economic Vitality 35.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 7
Consumer Credit Distress 28.1
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 66
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 12
Housing Cost Burden 21.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 17
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 87
Homeownership Rate 27
Structural Poverty 9.4
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 18
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kearney County
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy —
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal +20.3
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal +11.8
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal +10.9
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy +3.3
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy +2.4
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy -0.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kearney County
Chugach Census Area, AK 25.5 Healthy -0.0
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy +0.1
Bristol Bay Borough, AK 25.6 Healthy +0.1
Teton County, MT 25.5 Healthy -0.1
Weston County, WY 25.5 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kearney 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 Kearney 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 Kearney County, Nebraska?

    Kearney County has a County Distress Index score of 25.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,944th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 74th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kearney County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kearney County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 37.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Kearney County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kearney County (25.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Adams County, NE (45.9); Buffalo County, NE (37.3); Webster County, NE (36.5).

  • 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). Kearney County's score of 25.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Kearney 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 Kearney County?

    Kearney County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 6,770 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.