Saunders County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.8 | 23,463 people · 85th most distressed in Nebraska
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Saunders County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.8 — 3055th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Nebraska, it ranks 85th of 93 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Saunders County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 44.6 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 44.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 3
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 74
Housing Cost Burden 40.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 68
Homeownership Rate 12
Legal Distress 37.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Structural Poverty 9.0
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 3
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 13
Consumer Credit Distress 7.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 4
Uninsured Rate 10
Subprime Credit Population 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Saunders County
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy —
Douglas County, NE 48.7 Normal +27.9
Lancaster County, NE 39.7 Normal +18.8
Dodge County, NE 37.6 Normal +16.7
Sarpy County, NE 32.1 Healthy +11.2
Cass County, NE 27.3 Healthy +6.5
Butler County, NE 26.8 Healthy +6.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Saunders County
Botetourt County, VA 20.9 Healthy +0.0
Pottawatomie County, KS 21.0 Healthy +0.2
Summit County, UT 20.6 Healthy -0.2
Woodford County, IL 21.1 Healthy +0.2
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Saunders 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 Saunders County, Nebraska?

    Saunders County has a County Distress Index score of 20.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,055th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 85th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Saunders County?

    The primary driver of distress in Saunders County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 44.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Saunders County compare to neighboring counties?

    Saunders County (20.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Douglas County, NE (48.7); Lancaster County, NE (39.7); Dodge County, NE (37.6).

  • 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). Saunders County's score of 20.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Saunders 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 Saunders County?

    Saunders County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 23,463 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.