Boone County's composite score of 73.2 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, ranking it well above the typical U.S. county. Strong fundamentals in housing, taxes, and income create a solid foundation for residents.
2 / 5
Slightly Above Nebraska's State Average
At 73.2, Boone County ranks marginally above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, positioning it among the state's competitive mid-to-upper tier. Its balanced profile reflects steady management across key livability dimensions.
3 / 5
Best-in-Group Tax Rate and Income
Boone County boasts the lowest effective tax rate at 1.016% and ties for the highest income score of 30.0, with a median household income of $71,367. Its cost score of 84.0 and reasonable home values of $164,700 combine to support strong household financial health.
4 / 5
Risk Profile Requires Attention
Boone County's risk score of 56.7 is notably lower than other counties in this group, suggesting some exposure to economic or environmental volatility. This is the most significant livability concern and warrants scrutiny from residents evaluating long-term stability.
5 / 5
Excellent for Tax-Conscious, Earning Households
Boone County suits working families and professionals seeking favorable tax treatment, decent incomes, and affordable housing in a rural setting. Its combination of low taxes and above-average income potential makes it particularly attractive to entrepreneurial households, though economic uncertainty merits consideration.
Boone County's composite score of 73.2 significantly outperforms the national median of 50.0, ranking it well above the typical U.S. county. Strong fundamentals in housing, taxes, and income create a solid foundation for residents.
Slightly Above Nebraska's State Average
At 73.2, Boone County ranks marginally above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, positioning it among the state's competitive mid-to-upper tier. Its balanced profile reflects steady management across key livability dimensions.
Best-in-Group Tax Rate and Income
Boone County boasts the lowest effective tax rate at 1.016% and ties for the highest income score of 30.0, with a median household income of $71,367. Its cost score of 84.0 and reasonable home values of $164,700 combine to support strong household financial health.
Risk Profile Requires Attention
Boone County's risk score of 56.7 is notably lower than other counties in this group, suggesting some exposure to economic or environmental volatility. This is the most significant livability concern and warrants scrutiny from residents evaluating long-term stability.
Excellent for Tax-Conscious, Earning Households
Boone County suits working families and professionals seeking favorable tax treatment, decent incomes, and affordable housing in a rural setting. Its combination of low taxes and above-average income potential makes it particularly attractive to entrepreneurial households, though economic uncertainty merits consideration.
Score breakdown
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🏛73.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Boone County's effective tax rate of 1.016% ranks in the 30th percentile nationally, well below the 1.281% national median. The median property tax of $1,673 sits 38% below the national median of $2,690, reflecting both lower local rates and home values ($164,700 vs. the national $281,900).
Boone among lowest-taxing in state
Boone County's 1.016% effective rate ranks in the bottom quartile statewide, running 0.265 percentage points below Nebraska's 1.281% average. The $1,673 median tax is 15% below the state median of $1,972.
Boone's low rate matches Arthur's advantage
Boone County (1.016% rate) ranks second-lowest in its region, trailing only Arthur County (0.834%) and beating all other neighbors. Boone's rate rivals some of Nebraska's most tax-friendly counties, offering rural homeowners genuine relief.
Median home tax $1,673 per year
The typical Boone County home worth $164,700 generates a property tax of roughly $1,673 annually. This translates to approximately $139 monthly in escrow for mortgaged properties, well below state and national norms.
Even in low-tax Boone, appeals matter
Boone County's already-favorable rates don't guarantee individual assessments are fair—every property deserves scrutiny. Requesting a reassessment if your home's assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales could save you hundreds over time.
Boone County's 12.3% rent-to-income ratio beats both the national average and Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, making it the most affordable county in this peer group. With a median household income of $71,367 and rent at just $734 monthly, Boone renters enjoy genuine affordability cushion.
Top-tier affordability across Nebraska
Boone County ranks among Nebraska's least expensive rental markets, with a 12.3% rent-to-income ratio that sets it apart statewide. At $734 monthly rent—$49 below the state median—and above-median income of $71,367, Boone delivers the best housing value among comparable counties.
The region's affordable leader
Boone County's $734 rent undercuts all neighbors except Antelope ($746) and Boyd ($650), while its income of $71,367 exceeds most peers. This combination—strong wages plus low rent—positions Boone as the region's affordability champion for both stability and cost control.
Balanced, comfortable housing economics
Renters and homeowners alike spend nearly equal monthly amounts ($734 rent vs. $740 mortgage), with each consuming just 12.3-12.4% of the $71,367 median income. This exceptional alignment and low burden ratio leave substantial breathing room for savings, education, and quality of life.
Your top choice for rural affordability
Boone County stands out: strong incomes, low rents, and balanced ownership costs create genuine financial flexibility for relocating households. Whether you're renting or buying, Boone delivers the best cost-of-living profile in rural Nebraska—a compelling draw for families and workers seeking stability.
Boone County's median household income of $71,367 trails the national median of $74,755 by just $3,388. The county ranks among Nebraska's strongest income performers.
Top tier in Nebraska earnings
At $71,367, Boone County surpasses the state average of $66,880 by over $4,400, placing it among the state's highest-earning counties. Its per capita income of $36,659 also exceeds the state average.
Leads the regional income race
Boone County edges out Banner County ($71,250) as the highest earner in this cohort by just $117. The county's diversified economy supports strong and stable household incomes.
Best housing affordability ratio
Boone County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.3% is the lowest in this group, meaning residents spend minimal income on housing. Median home values of $164,700 are very manageable relative to local earnings.
Maximize wealth-building capacity
Boone County households earning $71,367 with a 12.3% housing burden have exceptional capacity for wealth building. Aggressive saving, investment diversification, and long-term financial planning create substantial generational wealth.
At 79.4 years, Boone County residents live nearly 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing the county in the health elite. Despite 15.2% reporting poor or fair health, the county's strong longevity suggests successful management of chronic disease in later years.
Top-tier longevity within Nebraska
Boone County's 79.4-year life expectancy ranks in Nebraska's top tier, outpacing the state average of 77.5 years by nearly 2 years. The county achieves this performance with solid primary care infrastructure: 149 providers per 100,000 residents, suggesting well-coordinated preventive and chronic disease care.
Second-best longevity in the region
Boone County's 79.4-year life expectancy trails only Antelope County's exceptional 79.8 years, but substantially outpaces Adams County (76.8) and Boyd County (75.4). The county's 149 primary care providers per 100,000 rank among the highest regionally, likely supporting its superior outcomes.
Strong primary care, lean mental health
Boone County's 149 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank above state and regional peers, providing robust access to preventive screening and chronic disease management. At 6.1% uninsured—the lowest in the region—nearly all residents have coverage, though mental health providers (94 per 100,000) are relatively sparse compared to physical health capacity.
Keep coverage universal and strong
Boone County's 6.1% uninsured rate is exceptional, but protecting that achievement requires continuous outreach during open enrollment at healthcare.gov. With neighbors already living longer, ensuring complete coverage means all can access the preventive care and provider density that drives the county's longevity advantage.
With a composite risk score of 43.35, Boone County rates as relatively low nationally but well above Nebraska's state average of 25.80. Tornadoes (51.97) and flooding (32.03) combine to elevate the county's overall profile.
Moderate tornado and flood threat
Boone County's composite score of 43.35 places it mid-range for Nebraska; its tornado risk of 51.97 is above-average statewide, and flood risk of 32.03 is a notable secondary concern. Together, these hazards outpace the county's wildfire and earthquake risks.
Riskier than western county neighbors
Boone County's score of 43.35 is substantially higher than Arthur County (0.29), Banner County (0.80), and Blaine County (0.45), reflecting its eastern location in Nebraska's more active weather zone. It ranks somewhat below Adams County (64.31).
Tornadoes and flooding top concerns
Tornadoes (51.97) present the greatest risk, followed closely by flooding (32.03)—both hazards frequently strike central Nebraska. Wildfire (43.10) and earthquake (12.95) threats are comparatively minor.
Ensure comprehensive storm coverage
Comprehensive homeowners insurance with tornado, wind, and hail riders is essential for Boone County residents. Consider flood insurance separately through the National Flood Insurance Program if you're in or near a floodplain; standard policies exclude flood damage entirely.