Phelps County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.9 | 9,057 people · 54th most distressed in Nebraska
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Phelps County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.9 — 2807th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Nebraska, it ranks 54th of 93 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Phelps County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 63.1 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 63.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 65
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 45
Homeownership Rate 71
Legal Distress 47.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Structural Poverty 19.3
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 27
Consumer Credit Distress 15.5
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 25
Economic Vitality 14.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 8
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 56

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Phelps County
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy —
Dawson County, NE 40.2 Normal +11.3
Furnas County, NE 40.2 Normal +11.3
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal +8.4
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy -1.0
Gosper County, NE 26.3 Healthy -2.6
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy -3.3
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy -4.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Phelps County
Beaver County, OK 28.9 Healthy -0.0
Morton County, KS 28.9 Healthy +0.0
Lake of the Woods County, MN 28.8 Healthy -0.1
Lipscomb County, TX 29.0 Healthy +0.1
Baraga County, MI 28.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Phelps 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 Phelps 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 Phelps County, Nebraska?

    Phelps County has a County Distress Index score of 28.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,807th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Phelps County?

    The primary driver of distress in Phelps County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 63.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Phelps County compare to neighboring counties?

    Phelps County (28.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Dawson County, NE (40.2); Furnas County, NE (40.2); Buffalo County, NE (37.3).

  • 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). Phelps County's score of 28.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Phelps 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 Phelps County?

    Phelps County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 9,057 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.