Thomas County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.6 | 677 people · 48th most distressed in Nebraska
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Thomas County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.6 — 2731st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 48th 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. Thomas County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 59.6 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 59.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 42
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Structural Poverty 51.6
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 80
Child Poverty Rate 72
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 32
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Consumer Credit Distress 23.7
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 29
Housing Cost Burden 15.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 8
Homeownership Rate 71

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Thomas County
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy —
Hooker County, NE 33.4 Healthy +2.8
Logan County, NE 31.9 Healthy +1.4
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy +1.1
McPherson County, NE 29.1 Healthy -1.4
Blaine County, NE 28.4 Healthy -2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Thomas County
Kiowa County, KS 30.6 Healthy +0.0
Loup County, NE 30.6 Healthy +0.0
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy +0.0
Brown County, KS 30.5 Healthy -0.1
Ouray County, CO 30.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Thomas 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 Thomas 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 Thomas County, Nebraska?

    Thomas County has a County Distress Index score of 30.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,731st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Thomas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Thomas County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 59.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Thomas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Thomas County (30.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Hooker County, NE (33.4); Logan County, NE (31.9); Cherry County, NE (31.6).

  • 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). Thomas County's score of 30.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Thomas 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 Thomas County?

    Thomas County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 677 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.