Niobrara County, Wyoming

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.1 | 2,354 people · 4th most distressed in Wyoming
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Niobrara County, WY falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.1 — 1704th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Wyoming, it ranks 4th of 23 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Niobrara County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 69.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 69.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 84
Rent-to-Income Ratio 81
Business Formation Rate 27
House Price Change (YoY) 48
Structural Poverty 64.9
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 91
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Housing Cost Burden 64.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 92
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 84
Consumer Credit Distress 37.8
Debt in Collections 36
Medical Debt 89
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 29
Legal Distress 6.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Niobrara County
Niobrara County, WY 48.1 Normal —
Fall River County, SD 54.4 Elevated +6.3
Goshen County, WY 41.1 Normal -7.0
Converse County, WY 34.1 Healthy -14.1
Sioux County, NE 30.4 Healthy -17.7
Platte County, WY 28.6 Healthy -19.5
Weston County, WY 25.5 Healthy -22.7
Custer County, SD 19.9 Healthy -28.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Niobrara County
McLean County, KY 48.1 Normal -0.0
Elk County, KS 48.0 Normal -0.1
Mahnomen County, MN 48.0 Normal -0.1
Parmer County, TX 48.3 Normal +0.1
Bailey County, TX 48.3 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Niobrara County

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Wyoming State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Wyoming State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 307-632-9061

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Niobrara County residents at no cost.

Wyoming Legal Services 1-877-432-9955
Legal Aid of Wyoming, Inc. (307) 432-0807

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Niobrara County, Wyoming?

    Niobrara County has a County Distress Index score of 48.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,704th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Wyoming out of 23 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Niobrara County?

    The primary driver of distress in Niobrara County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 69.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Niobrara County compare to neighboring counties?

    Niobrara County (48.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Fall River County, SD (54.4); Goshen County, WY (41.1); Converse County, WY (34.1).

  • 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 Normal 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). Niobrara County's score of 48.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Niobrara 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 Niobrara County?

    Niobrara County, Wyoming has a population of approximately 2,354 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.