Thayer County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.6 | 4,829 people · 73rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Thayer County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.6 — 2942nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Nebraska, it ranks 73rd of 93 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Thayer County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 81.5 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 81.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 81
Economic Vitality 32.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 62
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 31.9
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 19
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Housing Cost Burden 18.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 16.9
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Thayer County
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy —
Jefferson County, NE 38.1 Normal +12.5
Saline County, NE 34.9 Healthy +9.2
Republic County, KS 26.7 Healthy +1.1
Fillmore County, NE 25.2 Healthy -0.4
Nuckolls County, NE 25.1 Healthy -0.6
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy -4.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Thayer County
Bristol Bay Borough, AK 25.6 Healthy +0.0
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy -0.1
Chugach Census Area, AK 25.5 Healthy -0.1
Teton County, MT 25.5 Healthy -0.1
Antelope County, NE 25.8 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Thayer County

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 Thayer 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 Thayer County, Nebraska?

    Thayer County has a County Distress Index score of 25.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,942nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 73rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Thayer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Thayer County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 81.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Thayer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Thayer County (25.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, NE (38.1); Saline County, NE (34.9); Republic County, KS (26.7).

  • 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). Thayer County's score of 25.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Thayer 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 Thayer County?

    Thayer County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 4,829 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.