Washington County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.0 | 21,152 people · 78th most distressed in Nebraska
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Washington County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.0 — 2968th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 78th of 93 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 52.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 52.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 73
Housing Cost Burden 43.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 53
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 10
Legal Distress 43.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 13.5
Debt in Collections 3
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 7
Structural Poverty 7.0
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, NE 25.0 Healthy —
Pottawattamie County, IA 51.5 Elevated +26.4
Douglas County, NE 48.7 Normal +23.7
Dodge County, NE 37.6 Normal +12.6
Harrison County, IA 37.1 Normal +12.0
Burt County, NE 28.3 Healthy +3.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Morrison County, MN 25.1 Healthy +0.1
Moultrie County, IL 25.2 Healthy +0.2
LaGrange County, IN 25.3 Healthy +0.2
Dubois County, IN 24.8 Healthy -0.2
Lafayette County, WI 24.8 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County, Nebraska?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 25.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,968th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 78th in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 52.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (25.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pottawattamie County, IA (51.5); Douglas County, NE (48.7); 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). Washington County's score of 25.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 21,152 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.