Platte County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.7 | 34,609 people · 34th most distressed in Nebraska
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Platte County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.7 — 2599th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 34th of 93 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Platte County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 82.6 — worse than roughly 83% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 82.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 83
Housing Cost Burden 43.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 48
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 60
Economic Vitality 34.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 31
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 25.5
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 25
Structural Poverty 12.6
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 19
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Platte County
Platte County, NE 32.7 Healthy —
Stanton County, NE 36.9 Normal +4.2
Madison County, NE 34.8 Healthy +2.0
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy -1.5
Colfax County, NE 28.5 Healthy -4.3
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy -5.6
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy -5.9
Polk County, NE 19.5 Healthy -13.3
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy -17.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Platte County
Chaffee County, CO 32.8 Healthy +0.0
Ralls County, MO 32.8 Healthy +0.0
Carlton County, MN 32.8 Healthy +0.1
Morrow County, OR 32.7 Healthy -0.1
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Platte 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 Platte 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 Platte County, Nebraska?

    Platte County has a County Distress Index score of 32.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,599th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Platte County?

    The primary driver of distress in Platte County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 82.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Platte County compare to neighboring counties?

    Platte County (32.7) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Stanton County, NE (36.9); Madison County, NE (34.8); Merrick County, NE (31.3).

  • 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). Platte County's score of 32.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Platte 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 Platte County?

    Platte County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 34,609 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.