Keya Paha County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.0 | 805 people · 59th most distressed in Nebraska
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Keya Paha County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.0 — 2849th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 59th of 93 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Keya Paha County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 62.8 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 62.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 59
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 54.6
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 75
Income vs. State Median 91
Child Poverty Rate 59
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 20.2
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 8.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 8
Homeownership Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Keya Paha County
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy —
Todd County, SD 59.6 Elevated +31.6
Brown County, NE 42.2 Normal +14.2
Tripp County, SD 38.6 Normal +10.7
Boyd County, NE 37.0 Normal +9.0
Gregory County, SD 36.4 Normal +8.4
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy +3.7
Rock County, NE 25.3 Healthy -2.6
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -10.2

Population Peers

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

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Keya Paha 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 Keya Paha 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 Keya Paha County, Nebraska?

    Keya Paha County has a County Distress Index score of 28.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,849th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Keya Paha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Keya Paha County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 62.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Keya Paha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Keya Paha County (28.0) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Todd County, SD (59.6); Brown County, NE (42.2); Tripp County, SD (38.6).

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

  • What data sources power Keya Paha County's CDI score?

    Keya Paha 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 Keya Paha County?

    Keya Paha County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 805 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.