Nebraska Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 93 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Nebraska? See your options under Nebraska law →
Nebraska ranks #46 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Nebraska Compare to the National Average?
Nebraska is above the national average on 0 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 9.8% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 3.3%, and total debt per capita at $49,530.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Nebraska has risen 3.1pp and total household debt has grown 19.0%. Most metrics remain below the national baseline.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Nebraska
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Nebraska has eased from the 47th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 48th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score rose from 19.6 to 21.0 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. Nebraska's State Distress Index of 21.0 (low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Nebraska vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Nebraska vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Nebraska (#46) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.7% | 9.8% | +3.1pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.8% | 3.3% | +0.4pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.51% | 0.65% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $41,610 | $49,530 | +19.0% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,000 | $3,650 | +21.7% | $4,350 |
Nebraska Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Nebraska primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
Nebraska has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial foreclosure by trustee's sale under the Nebraska Trust Deeds Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 76-1001 to § 76-1018), for deeds of trust with a power of sale — the faster track; and (2) judicial foreclosure …
Full Nebraska foreclosure law guide →State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. Nebraska's credit card delinquency of 9.8% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. The state's Distress Index reads 21.0 (low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Nebraska on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Nebraska's 93 counties average 27.6 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thurston County | 53.0 | moderate county distress | Delinquency |
| Scotts Bluff County | 49.8 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Dawson County | 48.2 | moderate-low county distress | Labor |
| Hitchcock County | 42.0 | moderate-low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Johnson County | 41.8 | moderate-low county distress | Delinquency |
Thurston County ranks #1422 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar County | 10.9 | very low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Hamilton County | 11.8 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Saunders County | 13.4 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Holt County | 13.4 | very low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Boone County | 13.4 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
The gap between Nebraska's most and least distressed counties is 42.1 points — Thurston County (53.0, moderate county distress) vs. Cedar County (10.9, very low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 93 Nebraska counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Nebraska
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 1,206 mortgage complaints from Nebraska since 2012 — 61.0 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Nebraska ranks #45 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 74 | 87 | 58 | 65 | 70 | 79 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Nebraska
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Nebraska's filing rate is below the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Nebraska
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 10.7% of Nebraska residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 12.6% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 32.2% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Nebraska
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Nebraska
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. Nebraska scores 34.2 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #41 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Nebraska?
The credit card delinquency rate in Nebraska is 9.8% as of Q4 2025, ranking #42 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 6.7% in 2019.
How does Nebraska's household debt compare to the national average?
Nebraska residents carry $49,530 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 19.0% since 2019. Nebraska ranks #36 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Nebraska?
Auto loan delinquency in Nebraska stands at 3.3% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #42 nationally. The rate has risen from 2.8% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Nebraska use?
Nebraska primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full Nebraska foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Nebraska above or below the national average for financial distress?
Nebraska scores 21.0 on the State Distress Index (low state distress), ranking #46 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 29.0 points below the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Nebraska?
The CFPB has received 1,206 mortgage complaints from Nebraska since 2012, a rate of 61.0 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #45 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.4% of Nebraska complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Nebraska?
Nebraska had 2,796 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 141.3 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #27 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 65.2% and Chapter 13 for 33.7%. Filings changed +15.7% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Nebraska have debt in collections?
10.7% of individuals in Nebraska have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #34 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 12.6% of Nebraska residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Nebraska?
132,242 residents of Nebraska receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 6.6% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #43 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -12.0% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 7.8%.
How strong is Nebraska's financial safety net?
Nebraska scores 34.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #41 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (15.5% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (6.6%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Nebraska counties have the highest financial distress?
Thurston County is the most distressed county in Nebraska with a County Distress Index score of 53.0 · moderate county distress, ranking #1422 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Scotts Bluff County (49.8 · moderate-low county distress), Dawson County (48.2 · moderate-low county distress), Hitchcock County (42.0 · moderate-low county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Cedar County is the least distressed at 10.9 · very low county distress. See all 93 counties at /counties/nebraska/.
How long can foreclosure take in Nebraska?
Nebraska uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. Timeline varies by county and complexity. Homeowners have a right to cure: At least 30 days from the date the Notice of Default is filed with the register …. The homestead exemption is $60,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/nebraska/.
Where does Nebraska rank for financial distress?
Nebraska scores 21.0 on the State Distress Index (low state distress), ranking #46 of 51 jurisdictions. Most metrics fall below national averages. The highest SDI domain is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #41 (Weak).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Nebraska Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.