Saline County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.9 | 14,555 people · 29th most distressed in Nebraska
American Default Research

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Saline County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.9 — 2484th 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 29th 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. Saline County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 38.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 38.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 24
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 54
Consumer Credit Distress 38.2
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 50
Credit Card Delinquency 43
Uninsured Rate 63
Subprime Credit Population 38
Legal Distress 30.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 31
Economic Vitality 27.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 88
Structural Poverty 24.8
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 20
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 25

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Saline County
Saline County, NE 34.9 Healthy —
Lancaster County, NE 39.7 Normal +4.8
Jefferson County, NE 38.1 Normal +3.2
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal +2.6
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy -4.0
Seward County, NE 26.2 Healthy -8.7
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy -9.2
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy -9.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Saline County
Inyo County, CA 34.9 Healthy +0.0
Adams County, IN 34.8 Healthy -0.0
Potter County, PA 34.9 Healthy +0.1
Madison County, NE 34.8 Healthy -0.1
Chippewa County, MN 35.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Saline 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 Saline 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 Saline County, Nebraska?

    Saline County has a County Distress Index score of 34.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,484th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Saline County?

    The primary driver of distress in Saline County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 38.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Saline County compare to neighboring counties?

    Saline County (34.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lancaster County, NE (39.7); Jefferson County, NE (38.1); Gage County, NE (37.5).

  • 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). Saline County's score of 34.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Saline 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 Saline County?

    Saline County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 14,555 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.