Wayne County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.6 | 9,874 people · 42nd most distressed in Nebraska
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Wayne County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.6 — 2670th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Nebraska, it ranks 42nd of 93 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wayne County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 71.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 71.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 86
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 80
Homeownership Rate 77
Economic Vitality 53.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 55
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 26.6
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Legal Distress 19.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Consumer Credit Distress 12.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wayne County
Wayne County, NE 31.6 Healthy —
Thurston County, NE 54.5 Elevated +22.9
Stanton County, NE 36.9 Normal +5.3
Madison County, NE 34.8 Healthy +3.2
Pierce County, NE 24.5 Healthy -7.1
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy -10.9
Cuming County, NE 19.4 Healthy -12.2
Cedar County, NE 17.3 Healthy -14.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wayne County
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy +0.0
Daviess County, MO 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Edwards County, IL 31.6 Healthy +0.0
Wrangell City and Borough, AK 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County, Nebraska?

    Wayne County has a County Distress Index score of 31.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,670th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wayne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wayne County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 71.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Wayne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wayne County (31.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Thurston County, NE (54.5); Stanton County, NE (36.9); Madison County, NE (34.8).

  • 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). Wayne County's score of 31.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wayne 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 Wayne County?

    Wayne County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 9,874 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.