Sheridan County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.3 | 4,928 people · 58th most distressed in Nebraska
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Sheridan County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.3 — 2837th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 58th of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sheridan County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 54.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 54.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 52.0
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 66
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Legal Distress 26.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 26
Housing Cost Burden 22.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 71
Consumer Credit Distress 19.5
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 77
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheridan County
Sheridan County, NE 28.3 Healthy —
Dawes County, NE 50.2 Elevated +21.9
Box Butte County, NE 44.1 Normal +15.8
Morrill County, NE 33.8 Healthy +5.5
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy +3.3
Garden County, NE 29.6 Healthy +1.3
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy -2.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheridan County
Burt County, NE 28.3 Healthy 0.0
Rawlins County, KS 28.3 Healthy -0.0
Haskell County, KS 28.4 Healthy +0.1
Clearwater County, MN 28.4 Healthy +0.1
Shelby County, MO 28.2 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sheridan 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 Sheridan 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 Sheridan County, Nebraska?

    Sheridan County has a County Distress Index score of 28.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,837th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 58th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sheridan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sheridan County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 54.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Sheridan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sheridan County (28.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Dawes County, NE (50.2); Box Butte County, NE (44.1); Morrill County, NE (33.8).

  • 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). Sheridan County's score of 28.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sheridan 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 Sheridan County?

    Sheridan County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 4,928 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.