Knox County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.3 | 8,298 people · 81st most distressed in Nebraska
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Knox County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.3 — 3007th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 81st of 93 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Knox County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 54.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 54.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 65
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 63
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Structural Poverty 49.0
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 69
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Consumer Credit Distress 17.0
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 15
Housing Cost Burden 14.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 26
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Knox County
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy —
Boyd County, NE 37.0 Normal +13.7
Charles Mix County, SD 29.4 Healthy +6.2
Antelope County, NE 25.8 Healthy +2.5
Pierce County, NE 24.5 Healthy +1.2
Yankton County, SD 23.9 Healthy +0.6
Bon Homme County, SD 19.4 Healthy -3.8
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -5.5
Cedar County, NE 17.3 Healthy -6.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Knox County
Perkins County, NE 23.3 Healthy -0.0
Humboldt County, IA 23.2 Healthy -0.0
Jerauld County, SD 23.2 Healthy -0.1
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy +0.1
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Knox County

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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 Knox 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 Knox County, Nebraska?

    Knox County has a County Distress Index score of 23.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,007th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 81st in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Knox County?

    The primary driver of distress in Knox County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 54.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Knox County compare to neighboring counties?

    Knox County (23.3) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Boyd County, NE (37.0); Charles Mix County, SD (29.4); Antelope County, NE (25.8).

  • 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). Knox County's score of 23.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Knox 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 Knox County?

    Knox County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 8,298 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.