Merrick County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.3 | 7,755 people · 44th most distressed in Nebraska
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Merrick County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.3 — 2687th 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 44th of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Merrick County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 65.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 65.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Housing Cost Burden 33.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 16
Consumer Credit Distress 28.4
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 19
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 26
Structural Poverty 26.1
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 27
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Economic Vitality 21.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 76
House Price Change (YoY) 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Merrick County
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy —
Hall County, NE 53.3 Elevated +22.1
Platte County, NE 32.7 Healthy +1.5
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy +1.1
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy -4.1
Polk County, NE 19.5 Healthy -11.8
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy -13.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Merrick County
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy 0.0
Walworth County, SD 31.3 Healthy -0.0
Rappahannock County, VA 31.3 Healthy +0.0
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy +0.1
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Merrick 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 Merrick 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 Merrick County, Nebraska?

    Merrick County has a County Distress Index score of 31.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,687th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 44th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Merrick County?

    The primary driver of distress in Merrick County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 65.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Merrick County compare to neighboring counties?

    Merrick County (31.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hall County, NE (53.3); Platte County, NE (32.7); Howard County, NE (32.4).

  • 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). Merrick County's score of 31.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Merrick 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 Merrick County?

    Merrick County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 7,755 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.