countyscore
68
County Score
Safety 97.5Disaster Risk 80.6Health 80.3

County Report Card

About Antelope County, Nebraska

Outperforming the National Median

Antelope County boasts a strong composite score of 67.5, easily surpassing the national median of 50.0. This high ranking places it among the more desirable rural counties in the country.

Leading the Nebraska Average

The county's score of 67.5 is significantly higher than the Nebraska state average of 59.3. It stands out as a top performer within the state's rural landscape.

Safety and Environmental Resilience

Exceptional safety and risk scores of 97.5 and 80.6 define the county's appeal. Residents enjoy peace of mind and low exposure to environmental hazards in this secure community.

Tax Burdens and Water Quality

Lower scores in tax (24.8) and water quality (17.1) indicate areas for local focus. While the property tax rate is 1.220%, water infrastructure scores lag behind other local metrics.

Ideal for Families Seeking Security

Antelope County is perfect for families and retirees prioritizing safety and affordability. With a median home value of $116,900, it offers a secure and low-cost lifestyle.

204060801002277.397.580.366.451.480.617.147.1Tax22Cost77.3Safety97.5Health80.3Schools66.4Income51.4Risk80.6Water17.1Weather47.168/100
This county
National avg
5 above average2 below average

Antelope County DNA

C-overall

How Antelope County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Antelope County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (97.5/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (17.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
22-30
Cost
77.3+29.299999999999997
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
80.3+30.299999999999997
Schools
66.4+12.400000000000006
Income
51.4
Risk
80.6+33.599999999999994
Water
17.1-40.9
Weather
47.1-8.899999999999999
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Think property taxes are too high in Antelope County?

Many homeowners in Antelope County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$130,300

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$692/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$130,300/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$27,680/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $66,105/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Deep Dives

Antelope County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Antelope County

via TaxByCounty

Antelope taxes slightly below national average

Antelope County's effective tax rate of 1.220% sits just below the national median of 1.281%, putting it near the 45th percentile across the U.S. The median property tax here is $1,426, well below the national median of $2,690, because homes average $116,900 versus the national $281,900.

Below-average taxes for Nebraska

Antelope County's effective rate of 1.220% runs 0.06 percentage points below Nebraska's 1.281% average, ranking it in the middle-lower tier statewide. The county's median tax of $1,426 falls notably short of the state median of $1,972.

Similar to Boyd, higher than Blaine

Antelope County (1.220% rate) closely mirrors neighboring Boyd County (1.219% rate), but both exceed Blaine County's 1.186% rate. Antelope homes are more valuable than Blaine's, explaining why median taxes are higher despite nearly identical rates.

Median home tax bill under $1,500 yearly

A typical Antelope County home valued at $116,900 generates a property tax of roughly $1,426 per year. Mortgaged homes will see this amount escrow monthly, adding approximately $151 to housing costs when combined with insurance.

Even modest homes deserve tax review

Antelope County's lower home values don't mean assessments are always accurate—rural properties often face valuation errors. Requesting a reassessment if your home's assessed value drifts above comparable recent sales could yield tax savings.

Income & Jobs in Antelope County

via IncomeByCounty

Antelope earns well below national median

Antelope County's median household income of $63,750 lags the national median of $74,755 by over $11,000. This represents a meaningful gap that reflects the economic realities of rural Nebraska.

Among Nebraska's lower-earning counties

At $63,750, Antelope County ranks below the state average of $66,880, placing it in the lower tier of Nebraska counties. Its per capita income of $34,013 also trails the state average of $36,101.

Less competitive than nearby counties

Antelope County earns notably less than Adams ($65,680), Arthur ($67,500), and Box Butte ($68,778), though it slightly edges Boyd ($58,984). The county faces tighter income pressure than most adjacent counties.

Housing affordability is a strength

Antelope County's low rent-to-income ratio of 14.0% is among the best in the state, well below the 30% threshold. Median home values of $116,900 are particularly affordable relative to local incomes.

Leverage low housing costs strategically

Antelope County households can take advantage of their exceptional housing affordability to build savings and invest. Even modest income growth, paired with disciplined saving, creates meaningful wealth accumulation over time.

Safety in Antelope County

via CrimeByCounty

Antelope County Achieves Perfect Safety Score

Antelope County earns a perfect 100.0 safety score, reporting zero crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022. This exceptional data point places it far below the national average crime rate of 2,385.5.

Leading the Pack in Nebraska

The county's zero-crime report surpasses the Nebraska state average safety score of 99.0. It stands as a model of security compared to the average state crime rate of 626.7 per 100,000 people.

Regional Lows in Antelope County

Neighboring Boone County reports a low rate of 166.8, but Antelope remains even quieter with four reporting agencies documenting no incidents. This high level of safety is a hallmark of the immediate area.

Understanding the Zero Crime Rate

In 2022, Antelope County reported zero violent and property crimes, indicating an extremely peaceful year for law enforcement. While this reflects a very safe community, it is always wise to maintain standard security awareness.

Preserving a Safe Community

Maintaining a 100.0 safety score requires active community engagement and simple home vigilance. Even in the safest areas, locking doors and participating in neighborhood watch programs helps keep crime rates at zero.

Weather & Climate in Antelope County

via WeatherByCounty

Cooler and Wetter Than Most

At 48.0°F, Antelope County is significantly cooler than the national median temperature. It receives a healthy 28.1 inches of annual precipitation, keeping the landscape greener than counties to the west.

Below the State Average

The county stays cooler than the Nebraska average of 49.7°F. Despite the cooler temps, it exceeds the state's 25.9-inch average precipitation by over two inches.

A Mild Summer Retreat

Antelope experiences only 17 extreme heat days, nearly half the number seen in southern counties like Adams. However, its 21.6°F January average makes it one of the chillier spots in the region.

Snowy Winters and Mild Summers

The county sees a substantial 35.0 inches of annual snowfall during the cold winter months. Summers are relatively comfortable, with a June-August average of 71.0°F.

Winter Gear is Essential

Invest in a reliable snowblower for the 35 inches of annual snow. Since extreme heat is rare at only 17 days a year, focus your home energy budget on heating rather than cooling.

Soil Quality in Antelope County

via SoilByCounty

Rich Prairie Mollisols Support Growth

Antelope County features sandy loam Mollisols, which are classic, fertile grassland soils. The 6.66 pH is slightly more alkaline than the 6.5 national median but remains very close to the state average.

Sandy Loam for Superior Airflow

The composition is 53.9% sand, 30.5% silt, and 14.1% clay. This sandy mix allows for excellent root respiration and prevents the soil from becoming overly compacted.

Solid Organic Foundation

The soil holds 2.64% organic matter, which is higher than the national average but below the Nebraska state average of 3.32%. Available water capacity sits at 0.158 in/in, slightly trailing the state benchmark of 0.172.

Reliable Drainage for Farming

The county's land is well drained and falls into hydrologic group B. This combination offers a perfect middle ground for moderate infiltration and reliable runoff management for local builders.

Cooler Growing in Zone 5a

In hardiness zone 5a, gardeners can find great success with cool-season crops and native prairie perennials. The county's 58.1 soil score suggests a reliable environment for consistent harvests.

Lawn Care in Antelope County

via LawnByCounty

Stable growing in Antelope County

Antelope County earns a 56.5 lawn difficulty score, placing it just above the Nebraska state average. This zone 5a climate offers a reliable environment for those willing to manage seasonal dry spells.

Mild summers but shorter seasons

The county averages only 17 extreme heat days, which is half the state average of 34. While 28.1 inches of rain supports growth, the lower 2,869 growing degree days mean a slightly slower growth rate than southern neighbors.

Well-drained sandy loam base

The soil is comprised of 53.9% sand, creating a well-drained sandy loam texture that prevents waterlogging. With an ideal pH of 6.66, the soil is chemical-ready for most standard turfgrass varieties without heavy lime or sulfur treatments.

Facing severe drought pressure

Over 73% of the county currently experiences severe drought, following a year with 39 weeks of water scarcity. Grasses enter dormancy quickly here, so keep mowing heights tall to shade the soil and preserve moisture.

Planting for the 5a zone

Fine fescues are excellent choices for the cooler 5a hardiness zone found here. Plan your seeding projects after May 4 to avoid late spring frosts and ensure the lawn is established before October 9.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Antelope County's county score?
Antelope County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 68 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Antelope County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Antelope County ranks #18 among all counties in Nebraska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Antelope County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Antelope County is $1,608, with an effective tax rate of 1.23%. This earns Antelope County a tax score of 22/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Antelope County?
The median household income in Antelope County, Nebraska is $66,105 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Antelope County earns an income score of 51.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Antelope County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Antelope County scores 68/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Antelope County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Antelope County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.