CountyScore

Burt County

Nebraska · NE

#66 in Nebraska
69.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Burt County, Nebraska

Burt County solidly above national livability

Burt County's 69.8 composite score places it 40% above the national median of 50.0, ranking it in the upper third of American counties. This strong performance is built on exceptional affordability and solid health outcomes.

Just below Nebraska's state average

Burt County scores 69.8 against Nebraska's 71.2 average, placing it in the middle of the state's county rankings. While competitive statewide, it trails both Cedar and Butler counties among this group.

Exceptional housing affordability dominates

Burt County's cost score of 83.5 is among the highest in Nebraska, with median rent at just $688/month and homes averaging $125,400. Its risk score of 79.4 also reflects solid stability, making it an exceptionally secure and affordable place to live.

Income opportunities remain limited

Like other rural counties in this group, Burt County's income score of 20.8 reflects limited earnings potential, with median household income at $57,303. Residents seeking significant income growth may need to look toward county seats or larger metros.

Ideal for cost-conscious families and retirees

Burt County delivers exceptional value for families or retirees with modest incomes or savings they want to stretch. It's perfect for those willing to trade earning potential for housing security and small-town stability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.4Cost83.5SafetyComing SoonHealth73.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.8Risk79.4WaterComing Soon
🏛61.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡79.4
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 Burt County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Arkansas
69.8
Median income: $48,500
Liberty County
Florida
69.8
Median income: $53,824
McDuffie County
Georgia
69.8
Median income: $54,058
Webster County
Kentucky
69.8
Median income: $58,786
Evangeline Parish
Louisiana
69.8
Median income: $42,273

Deep Dives

Burt County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Burt County

via TaxByCounty

Burt taxes exceed U.S. average

Burt County's effective tax rate of 1.454% runs above the national median, with residents paying $1,824 annually versus the national median of $2,690. While the absolute dollar amount is lower due to smaller home values, the rate places Burt in the higher-tax tier nationally.

Second-highest rate in Nebraska

Burt County's effective rate of 1.454% ranks among Nebraska's steepest, exceeding the state average of 1.281% by nearly 2 percentage points. Only a handful of Nebraska counties levy higher tax rates than Burt.

Steeper than most regional peers

Burt County's 1.454% rate outpaces nearby Cedar County (1.041%) and Butler County (1.171%), placing it among the region's most tax-heavy counties. Only Buffalo County (1.451%) comes close in the immediate area.

Median home costs $1,824 annually

A typical Burt County home valued at $125,400 generates $1,824 in yearly property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay $1,915, while those without pay $1,715.

Assessment appeals could yield savings

Given Burt County's elevated tax rate, reviewing your assessment for errors is especially valuable. The county assessor's office accepts appeals at no cost—many homeowners discover overassessments that could reduce their annual bill by hundreds of dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Burt County

via CostByCounty

Burt County beats national affordability

Burt County's 14.4% rent-to-income ratio tracks nearly perfectly with Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, while remaining significantly better than struggling rural counties nationwide. Though median incomes run $17,450 below the national average at $57,303, Burt County's low rents keep overall affordability manageable.

Nebraska affordability leader

Burt County ranks among Nebraska's most affordable counties, with a rent-to-income ratio just 0.2 percentage points above the state average. The county's combination of low rents and moderate incomes creates genuine opportunity for budget-conscious renters.

Cheapest rents in the region

At $688 monthly, Burt County offers the lowest median rent among its neighbors—26% cheaper than Buffalo County ($911) and 21% cheaper than Cherry County ($873). This rental advantage makes Burt County particularly attractive for cost-conscious movers.

Burt County housing reality

A typical Burt County renter earning $57,303 pays approximately $8,256 annually in housing costs—right at the healthy threshold. Homeowners spend 17.3% of income on ownership, making Burt County accessible across both rental and ownership markets.

Rent affordability hotspot

Burt County delivers some of Nebraska's cheapest rents without sacrificing income stability, making it ideal for renters prioritizing low housing costs. If affordability is your primary concern, Burt County's $688 median rent deserves serious consideration.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Burt County

via IncomeByCounty

Burt County trails national median

Burt County's median household income of $57,303 falls 23% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting the income challenges facing rural Nebraska counties. Despite this gap, Burt County outperforms many agricultural communities by maintaining relative economic stability. The county's per capita income of $35,034 shows how earnings concentrate among fewer households compared to national patterns.

Middle-of-pack Nebraska county

Burt County earns $9,577 below Nebraska's state median household income of $66,880, placing it slightly below the state average. Among Nebraska's 93 counties, this positions Burt County in the lower-middle range, where many rural northeastern counties cluster. However, the county keeps pace with regional peers better than its national standing suggests.

Comparable to nearby counties

Burt County's $57,303 income positions it between Brown County ($51,538) and Cedar County ($73,977) in the regional income hierarchy. As part of northeastern Nebraska's agricultural corridor, Burt County shares economic pressures with peers like Brown and Cherry counties. Cedar County's $16,674 income advantage demonstrates how proximity to population centers drives earnings differences.

Housing remains affordable

Burt County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, meaning housing costs consume a modest share of household budgets. Median home values of $125,400 remain well within reach for families earning $57,303 annually. This affordability advantage offsets lower income relative to national figures.

Small steps build financial security

Burt County residents earning $57,303 can build wealth through consistent savings habits and employer-sponsored retirement plans available through local businesses. Starting with automatic transfers of even $50 monthly to savings accounts creates meaningful security over time. Local banks and credit unions offer financial literacy programs to help residents optimize household finances.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Burt County

via HealthByCounty

Burt County faces significant health gaps

At 75.4 years, Burt County residents live 3.5 years less than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 15.2% poor or fair health rate mirrors the national struggle, yet the shorter life expectancy signals deeper health equity issues.

One of Nebraska's lowest life expectancies

Burt County's 75.4-year life expectancy ranks among the lowest in Nebraska, trailing the state average of 77.5 years by more than 2 years. This persistent gap suggests chronic health stressors requiring targeted community intervention.

Neighboring counties significantly healthier

Cedar County to the east reaches 80.2 years while Butler County to the north achieves 79.1 years—both far outpacing Burt's 75.4-year mark. The disparity grows starker in provider density: Burt offers just 30 primary care providers per 100,000 residents versus Cedar's higher access levels.

Severe provider shortage limits access

Burt County residents struggle with just 30 primary care providers and 15 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the lowest ratios statewide. With an uninsured rate of 8.1% (matching Nebraska's average), those without insurance face especially long waits and limited options for preventive care.

Healthcare access starts with coverage

In a county with limited providers, having insurance is critical to securing timely care. Visit healthcare.gov today to enroll in Medicaid or a marketplace plan—enrollment assistance is available by phone at 1-800-318-2596.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Burt County

via RiskByCounty

Burt County maintains very low overall risk

With a composite risk score of 20.67 and a Very Low rating, Burt County is safer than the national average. The county's risk profile reflects manageable hazard exposure across most natural disaster categories.

Below Nebraska's average risk level

Burt County's score of 20.67 falls below Nebraska's state average of 25.80, positioning it as one of the safer counties statewide. This below-average risk makes it a relatively secure place to live within the state context.

Comparable to surrounding communities

Burt County's score of 20.67 aligns closely with Cedar County (21.69) and Butler County (24.46), indicating consistent risk profiles across this region. All three counties maintain protective ratings relative to state averages.

Wildfire risk dominates local hazards

Wildfire risk at 78.40 is notably high and represents Burt County's primary concern, though the county's overall composite score remains low. Tornado risk (46.63) is moderate and warrants standard storm shelter planning.

Prioritize wildfire protection measures

Burt County residents should ensure homeowners policies include robust wildfire and windstorm coverage given local conditions. Creating defensible space around structures and maintaining clear gutters are practical steps to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

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.