Nuckolls County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.1 | 4,095 people · 77th most distressed in Nebraska
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Nuckolls County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.1 — 2967th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 77th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Nuckolls County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 54.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 54.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 48
House Price Change (YoY) 63
Structural Poverty 41.3
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 73
Child Poverty Rate 36
Disability Rate 37
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Legal Distress 35.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Consumer Credit Distress 22.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 32
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 20
Housing Cost Burden 6.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nuckolls County
Nuckolls County, NE 25.1 Healthy —
Webster County, NE 36.5 Normal +11.4
Jewell County, KS 28.4 Healthy +3.4
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy +1.7
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy +0.6
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy +0.2
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy -4.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nuckolls County
Jackson County, CO 25.1 Healthy +0.1
Rio Blanco County, CO 25.2 Healthy +0.1
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy +0.2
Daggett County, UT 25.3 Healthy +0.3
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Nuckolls 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 Nuckolls 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 Nuckolls County, Nebraska?

    Nuckolls County has a County Distress Index score of 25.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,967th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 77th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nuckolls County?

    The primary driver of distress in Nuckolls County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 54.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Nuckolls County compare to neighboring counties?

    Nuckolls County (25.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Webster County, NE (36.5); Jewell County, KS (28.4); Republic County, KS (26.7).

  • 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). Nuckolls County's score of 25.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Nuckolls 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 Nuckolls County?

    Nuckolls County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 4,095 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.