Otoe County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.2 | 16,335 people · 68th most distressed in Nebraska
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Otoe County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.2 — 2922nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 68th of 93 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Otoe County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 41.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 41.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Economic Vitality 32.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 28
Consumer Credit Distress 28.9
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 28
Structural Poverty 20.3
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 20
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Housing Cost Burden 16.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Otoe County
Otoe County, NE 26.2 Healthy —
Johnson County, NE 46.3 Normal +20.1
Lancaster County, NE 39.7 Normal +13.4
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal +11.3
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy +8.1
Atchison County, MO 27.7 Healthy +1.5
Cass County, NE 27.3 Healthy +1.1
Fremont County, IA 26.5 Healthy +0.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Otoe County
Shelby County, IL 26.2 Healthy -0.0
Seward County, NE 26.2 Healthy -0.1
Piatt County, IL 26.3 Healthy +0.1
Jefferson County, ID 26.1 Healthy -0.1
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Otoe 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 Otoe 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 Otoe County, Nebraska?

    Otoe County has a County Distress Index score of 26.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,922nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Otoe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Otoe County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 41.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Otoe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Otoe County (26.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Johnson County, NE (46.3); Lancaster County, NE (39.7); Gage County, NE (37.5).

  • 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). Otoe County's score of 26.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Otoe 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 Otoe County?

    Otoe County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 16,335 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.