Sherman County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.7 | 2,983 people · 40th most distressed in Nebraska
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Sherman County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.7 — 2660th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Nebraska, it ranks 40th of 93 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sherman County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 66.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 66.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 78
Rent-to-Income Ratio 40
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 53.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Structural Poverty 47.0
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 78
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 36
Transfer Income Dependency 50
Housing Cost Burden 30.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 45
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 39
Consumer Credit Distress 17.8
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sherman County
Sherman County, NE 31.7 Healthy —
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal +5.6
Howard County, NE 32.4 Healthy +0.6
Valley County, NE 29.6 Healthy -2.1
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy -4.5
Greeley County, NE 21.2 Healthy -10.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sherman County
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy -0.1
Edwards County, IL 31.6 Healthy -0.1
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy -0.1
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy +0.1
Wayne County, NE 31.6 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sherman 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 Sherman 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 Sherman County, Nebraska?

    Sherman County has a County Distress Index score of 31.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,660th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 40th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sherman County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sherman County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 66.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Sherman County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sherman County (31.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Buffalo County, NE (37.3); Howard County, NE (32.4); Valley County, NE (29.6).

  • 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). Sherman County's score of 31.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sherman 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 Sherman County?

    Sherman County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 2,983 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.