Nemaha County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.3 | 7,076 people · 31st most distressed in Nebraska
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Nemaha County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.3 — 2510th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Nebraska, it ranks 31st 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. Nemaha County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 44.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 44.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 39
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 68
Structural Poverty 40.6
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 23
Disability Rate 65
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Legal Distress 35.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36
Consumer Credit Distress 28.7
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 67
Subprime Credit Population 32
Economic Vitality 28.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 89

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nemaha County
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy —
Johnson County, NE 46.3 Normal +11.9
Pawnee County, NE 35.8 Normal +1.4
Richardson County, NE 32.3 Healthy -2.1
Holt County, MO 29.6 Healthy -4.7
Atchison County, MO 27.7 Healthy -6.6
Otoe County, NE 26.2 Healthy -8.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nemaha County
Washington County, CO 34.4 Healthy +0.0
Rooks County, KS 34.4 Healthy +0.1
Cheyenne County, KS 34.5 Healthy +0.1
Wallowa County, OR 34.2 Healthy -0.2
Clark County, ID 34.1 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Nemaha 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Nemaha 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 Nemaha County, Nebraska?

    Nemaha County has a County Distress Index score of 34.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,510th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nemaha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Nemaha County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 44.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Nemaha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Nemaha County (34.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Johnson County, NE (46.3); Pawnee County, NE (35.8); Richardson County, NE (32.3).

  • 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). Nemaha County's score of 34.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Nemaha 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 Nemaha County?

    Nemaha County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 7,076 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.