Rock County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.3 | 1,271 people · 75th most distressed in Nebraska
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Rock County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.3 — 2955th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 75th of 93 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rock County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 46.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 46.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 42
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Structural Poverty 41.5
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 80
Child Poverty Rate 56
Disability Rate 19
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Consumer Credit Distress 20.3
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 11.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 43

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rock County
Rock County, NE 25.3 Healthy —
Brown County, NE 42.2 Normal +16.9
Boyd County, NE 37.0 Normal +11.7
Loup County, NE 30.6 Healthy +5.2
Keya Paha County, NE 28.0 Healthy +2.6
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -7.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rock County
Daggett County, UT 25.3 Healthy -0.0
Sheridan County, ND 25.4 Healthy +0.0
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy +0.1
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy +0.1
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rock 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 Rock 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 Rock County, Nebraska?

    Rock County has a County Distress Index score of 25.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,955th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 75th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rock County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rock County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 46.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Rock County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rock County (25.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Brown County, NE (42.2); Boyd County, NE (37.0); Loup County, NE (30.6).

  • 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). Rock County's score of 25.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Rock 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 Rock County?

    Rock County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 1,271 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.