Perkins County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.3 | 2,795 people · 82nd most distressed in Nebraska
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Perkins County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.2 — 3008th 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 82nd 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. Perkins County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 27.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 27.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 49
Homeownership Rate 31
Economic Vitality 26.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 22.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 60
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 9
Legal Distress 20.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Structural Poverty 19.4
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Perkins County
Perkins County, NE 23.3 Healthy —
Sedgwick County, CO 57.0 Elevated +33.7
Lincoln County, NE 45.2 Normal +22.0
Keith County, NE 38.9 Normal +15.6
Deuel County, NE 32.1 Healthy +8.9
Phillips County, CO 28.1 Healthy +4.9
Hayes County, NE 28.0 Healthy +4.7
Chase County, NE 26.0 Healthy +2.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Perkins County
Humboldt County, IA 23.2 Healthy -0.0
Knox County, NE 23.3 Healthy +0.0
Jerauld County, SD 23.2 Healthy -0.1
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy +0.1
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Perkins 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 Perkins 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 Perkins County, Nebraska?

    Perkins County has a County Distress Index score of 23.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,008th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 82nd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Perkins County?

    The primary driver of distress in Perkins County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 27.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Perkins County compare to neighboring counties?

    Perkins County (23.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Sedgwick County, CO (57.0); Lincoln County, NE (45.2); Keith County, NE (38.9).

  • 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). Perkins County's score of 23.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Perkins 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 Perkins County?

    Perkins County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 2,795 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.