Loup County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.6 | 592 people · 47th most distressed in Nebraska
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Loup County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.6 — 2729th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 47th 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. Loup County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 54.6 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 54.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 86
Rent-to-Income Ratio 25
Business Formation Rate 22
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 51.0
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 71
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 87
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 23.8
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 78
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 17.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 13
Homeownership Rate 81

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Loup County
Loup County, NE 30.6 Healthy —
Brown County, NE 42.2 Normal +11.6
Garfield County, NE 35.6 Normal +5.1
Blaine County, NE 28.4 Healthy -2.1
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy -3.3
Rock County, NE 25.3 Healthy -5.2
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -12.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Loup County
Kiowa County, KS 30.6 Healthy 0.0
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy -0.0
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy +0.0
Brown County, KS 30.5 Healthy -0.1
Ouray County, CO 30.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Loup 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 Loup 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 Loup County, Nebraska?

    Loup County has a County Distress Index score of 30.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,729th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Loup County?

    The primary driver of distress in Loup County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 54.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Loup County compare to neighboring counties?

    Loup County (30.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Brown County, NE (42.2); Garfield County, NE (35.6); Blaine County, NE (28.4).

  • 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). Loup County's score of 30.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Loup 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 Loup County?

    Loup County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 592 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.