Sarpy County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.1 | 199,886 people · 38th most distressed in Nebraska
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Sarpy County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.1 — 2649th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Nebraska, it ranks 38th of 93 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sarpy County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 63.6 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 63.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Housing Cost Burden 57.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 68
Economic Vitality 50.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 59
House Price Change (YoY) 58
Consumer Credit Distress 19.5
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 23
Structural Poverty 5.5
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 3
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sarpy County
Sarpy County, NE 32.1 Healthy —
Pottawattamie County, IA 51.5 Elevated +19.4
Douglas County, NE 48.7 Normal +16.6
Mills County, IA 33.2 Healthy +1.1
Cass County, NE 27.3 Healthy -4.8
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy -11.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sarpy County
Allegan County, MI 32.0 Healthy -0.0
Chittenden County, VT 32.2 Healthy +0.2
Rockingham County, VA 32.2 Healthy +0.2
Chelan County, WA 32.3 Healthy +0.2
Carroll County, NH 32.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sarpy County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Sarpy County.

FAMILY HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICES, INCORPORATE
Bellevue
402-934-6750 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

See all counselors in Nebraska →

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 Sarpy County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of Nebraska 1-877-250-2016

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Nebraska →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Sarpy County, Nebraska?

    Sarpy County has a County Distress Index score of 32.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,649th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sarpy County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sarpy County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 63.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sarpy County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sarpy County (32.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pottawattamie County, IA (51.5); Douglas County, NE (48.7); Mills County, IA (33.2).

  • 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). Sarpy County's score of 32.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sarpy 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 Sarpy County?

    Sarpy County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 199,886 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.