CountyScore

Banner County

Nebraska · NE

#23 in Nebraska
73.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Banner County, Nebraska

Banner County Well Above National Standards

Banner County's composite score of 73.9 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 48%, positioning it firmly in the upper half of U.S. counties. Strong performance across housing, health, and economic resilience drives this competitive standing.

Above-Average Performance in Nebraska

At 73.9, Banner County ranks above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it among the state's stronger counties. Its balanced profile makes it a reliable choice within Nebraska's competitive landscape.

Highest Incomes and Exceptional Health

Banner County leads this group with the highest income score of 29.9 and a median household income of $71,250, supporting household financial health. Its health score of 88.1 and outstanding risk score of 99.2 indicate excellent healthcare access and exceptional economic stability.

Tax Burden Among the Highest

Banner County's tax score of 59.7 reflects an effective tax rate of 1.513%, the highest in this group and a potential concern for tax-sensitive households. This moderately higher burden may offset some of the county's income and health advantages for budget-focused residents.

Best for Income-Focused, Stability-Seeking Families

Banner County suits families with decent household incomes who value health outcomes and economic stability despite higher taxes. It's ideal for working professionals and retirees willing to pay for reliable services and a secure economic environment in rural Nebraska.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax59.7Cost78.7SafetyComing SoonHealth88.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.9Risk99.2WaterComing Soon
🏛59.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼29.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤88.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Banner County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Las Animas County
Colorado
73.9
Median income: $50,408
Phillips County
Colorado
73.9
Median income: $60,372
Blackford County
Indiana
73.9
Median income: $47,560
O'Brien County
Iowa
73.9
Median income: $68,216
Allen County
Kentucky
73.9
Median income: $59,029

Deep Dives

Banner County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Banner County

via TaxByCounty

Banner County taxes rank among highest

Banner County's effective tax rate of 1.513% exceeds the national median of 1.281%, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. The median property tax is $2,516, just below the national median of $2,690, despite homes valued 41% lower than the U.S. average.

Banner highest-taxed county in Nebraska

At 1.513%, Banner County carries Nebraska's highest effective tax rate, nearly 0.23 percentage points above the state average of 1.281%. The $2,516 median tax far exceeds Nebraska's $1,972 state median, costing families 27% more than the typical Nebraska homeowner.

Banner significantly outpaces regional peers

Banner County's 1.513% rate vastly exceeds Arthur County (0.834%), Box Butte County (1.488%), and all other neighboring counties. Only Box Butte approaches Banner's burden, but Banner still leads by 25 basis points, making it the region's highest-tax location.

Median home tax $2,516 per year

The typical Banner County home valued at $166,300 generates a $2,516 annual property tax bill. With a mortgage, this amount will be escrowed monthly, adding roughly $210 to your housing costs before insurance.

High-tax county, high appeal potential

Banner County's steep rates make property tax appeals especially worthwhile—savings compound faster at higher tax rates. If your assessed value hasn't been reviewed recently or seems out of line with comparable sales, requesting a reassessment could yield substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Banner County

via CostByCounty

Banner's rents rank among Nebraska's highest

Banner County's 16.4% rent-to-income ratio stands notably above both the national average and Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, placing it in the cost-burdened category. At $975 monthly, Banner rents are the region's steepest despite a median household income of $71,250—suggesting strong local demand or limited supply.

Nebraska's priciest rental market

Banner County leads Nebraska in rent burden with a 16.4% ratio and a median rent of $975—$192 above the state median. This outlier status suggests Banner's economy drives rental demand beyond what peers experience, making it Nebraska's least affordable county for renters.

Significantly pricier than surrounding areas

Banner County renters pay $975 monthly—roughly $130 more than Adams ($853), $225 more than Arthur ($850), and $325 more than Antelope ($746). This premium reflects either concentrated economic growth, tourism appeal, or supply constraints that distinguish Banner from the broader rural Nebraska rental landscape.

Rent dominates household budgets

Renters spend $975 monthly while homeowners invest $793, creating a stark 16.4% rent burden against the $71,250 median income. This imbalance—where renters pay significantly more than mortgage-holders—suggests either high demand for rentals or ownership advantages that skew the housing market toward buyers.

Budget carefully if Banner is your target

Banner County's $975 rent is a serious consideration: even at the county's $71,250 median income, renters consume 16%+ of earnings on housing. If Banner's economy or amenities draw you, ensure your income exceeds local medians; otherwise, neighboring counties offer equivalent opportunity at lower cost.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Banner County

via IncomeByCounty

Banner closes the income gap well

Banner County's median household income of $71,250 stands just $3,505 below the national median of $74,755, making it one of Nebraska's strongest earners. The county rivals many urban areas in income performance.

Top earner in Nebraska

At $71,250, Banner County surpasses the state average of $66,880 by over $4,300, ranking among Nebraska's highest-earning counties. Its per capita income of $36,650 also exceeds the state average.

Leads most neighboring counties

Banner County outearns all peers in this cohort except Boone ($71,367), which edges it by just $117. The county's strong wage base reflects robust agricultural and small-business sectors.

Housing costs are elevated here

Banner County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.4% is slightly higher than peers, though still well below the 30% benchmark. Median home values of $166,300 remain accessible for local wage earners.

Invest aggressively, plan ahead

Banner County households earning $71,250 have strong capacity for diversified investments and retirement contributions. Consider working with a financial advisor to maximize 401(k) matches, HSAs, and investment accounts while maintaining local real estate gains.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Banner County

via HealthByCounty

Banner County's health profile incomplete

Life expectancy for Banner County is not available, preventing direct comparison to the U.S. average of 76.4 years. However, 13.3% of residents report poor or fair health—notably better than U.S. norms—suggesting a relatively healthy population despite data gaps.

Strong health outcomes in sparse county

Banner County's 13.3% poor/fair health rate ranks among the best observed in Nebraska, sitting well below the state's 77.5-year life expectancy proxy and outperforming many larger counties. The 6.4% uninsured rate trails the state average of 8.1%, indicating superior health insurance coverage.

Healthiest outcomes in the region

Banner County's 13.3% poor/fair health rate beats nearby Arthur County (14.8%) and Blaine County (16.0%), signaling better chronic disease management or baseline health status across the sparsely populated northwest. The 6.4% uninsured rate is the lowest in the immediate region, reflecting strong community health infrastructure.

Excellent coverage, unknown provider access

Banner County's 6.4% uninsured rate is a standout strength, meaning most residents have insurance for preventive care and treatment. Primary care and mental health provider data are unavailable, so actual care accessibility in this remote area remains uncertain despite strong coverage levels.

Sustain your uninsured rate advantage

At 6.4% uninsured, Banner County leads Nebraska in coverage—a rare achievement in rural America that residents should protect during annual open enrollment. Visit healthcare.gov or contact your local health department to renew plans and help neighbors find affordable coverage, keeping this advantage strong.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Banner County

via RiskByCounty

Banner County is one of the safest

With a composite risk score of 0.80, Banner County ranks as very low nationally and well below Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Natural disaster risk is exceptionally mild across all hazard categories.

Second-lowest composite risk in state

Banner County's score of 0.80 places it among Nebraska's safest counties, just slightly above Arthur County (0.29). The county's hazard profile is balanced and minimal across the board.

Safe corner of northwestern Nebraska

Banner County's score of 0.80 is lower than Box Butte County (20.96) and comparable to Arthur County (0.29) and Blaine County (0.45). The region consistently demonstrates exceptionally low natural disaster risk.

Wildfire is the primary consideration

Wildfire risk (42.14) is Banner County's most notable hazard, though still moderate nationally. Tornado (7.57), flood (0.89), and earthquake (3.12) risks remain negligible.

Basic coverage meets your needs

Banner County's minimal natural disaster risk means standard homeowners insurance is sufficient for most properties. Landowners with significant vegetation should confirm wildfire coverage is included; otherwise, Banner County residents face genuinely low protection costs.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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