Richardson County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.3 | 7,689 people · 36th most distressed in Nebraska
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Richardson County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.3 — 2635th 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 36th of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Richardson County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 73.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 73.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 73
Economic Vitality 50.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 15
Structural Poverty 44.1
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 30
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 24
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Consumer Credit Distress 26.6
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 26
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 34
Housing Cost Burden 15.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 12
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 8
Homeownership Rate 50

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Richardson County
Richardson County, NE 32.3 Healthy —
Doniphan County, KS 42.0 Normal +9.8
Pawnee County, NE 35.8 Normal +3.5
Nemaha County, NE 34.3 Healthy +2.1
Brown County, KS 30.5 Healthy -1.8
Holt County, MO 29.6 Healthy -2.6
Nemaha County, KS 15.1 Healthy -17.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Richardson County
Piute County, UT 32.3 Healthy -0.0
Scotland County, MO 32.3 Healthy +0.0
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy +0.1
Coffey County, KS 32.2 Healthy -0.1
Kalawao County, HI 32.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Richardson 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 Richardson 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 Richardson County, Nebraska?

    Richardson County has a County Distress Index score of 32.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,635th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Richardson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Richardson County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 73.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Richardson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Richardson County (32.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Doniphan County, KS (42.0); Pawnee County, NE (35.8); Nemaha County, NE (34.3).

  • 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). Richardson County's score of 32.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Richardson 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 Richardson County?

    Richardson County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 7,689 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.