Wheeler County, Nebraska

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.3 | 775 people · 63rd most distressed in Nebraska
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Wheeler County, NE ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.3 — 2879th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Nebraska, it ranks 63rd of 93 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wheeler County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 52.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 52.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 44
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 44.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Structural Poverty 40.6
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 44
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Consumer Credit Distress 22.4
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 22
Housing Cost Burden 13.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wheeler County
Wheeler County, NE 27.3 Healthy —
Garfield County, NE 35.6 Normal +8.3
Valley County, NE 29.6 Healthy +2.4
Antelope County, NE 25.8 Healthy -1.5
Greeley County, NE 21.2 Healthy -6.1
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -9.5
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy -11.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wheeler County
Meade County, KS 27.3 Healthy +0.0
Camas County, ID 27.2 Healthy -0.1
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy -0.1
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy +0.1
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wheeler 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 Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, Nebraska?

    Wheeler County has a County Distress Index score of 27.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,879th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Nebraska out of 93 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wheeler County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wheeler County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 52.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Wheeler County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wheeler County (27.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Garfield County, NE (35.6); Valley County, NE (29.6); Antelope County, NE (25.8).

  • 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). Wheeler County's score of 27.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wheeler 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 Wheeler County?

    Wheeler County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 775 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.