countyscore
43.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Disaster Risk 72.2Health 65.6

County Report Card

About Cheyenne County, Nebraska

Falling Short of the National Median

Cheyenne County earns a composite score of 41.4, placing it below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a lower overall ranking compared to many peers across the United States.

Trailing the Nebraska State Average

The county's overall score of 41.4 significantly lags behind the Nebraska state average of 59.3. It ranks among the lower-scoring counties within the state's diverse landscape.

Excellent Water and Environmental Stability

Cheyenne excels in basic infrastructure and safety from disaster, posting a high water score of 86.0 and a risk score of 72.2. These figures suggest a high level of resilience to environmental hazards.

Navigating High Taxes and Low Safety

Tax burden remains a significant hurdle with a low tax score of 6.3 and an effective rate of 1.741%. Additionally, the safety score of 28.6 highlights a need for improvement in local security metrics.

A Haven for Environmental Resilience

This county best suits individuals who prioritize high-quality water and low environmental risk over tax savings. The affordable home value of $129,100 appeals to budget-conscious buyers looking for stability.

204060801007.351.728.665.655.334.672.28634.7Tax7.3Cost51.7Safety28.6Health65.6Schools55.3Income34.6Risk72.2Water86Weather34.743.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average4 below average

Cheyenne County DNA

Foverall

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

Cheyenne County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (7.3/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
7.3-44.7
Cost
51.7
Safety
28.6-26.4
Health
65.6+15.599999999999994
Schools
55.3
Income
34.6-16.4
Risk
72.2+25.200000000000003
Water
86+28
Weather
34.7-21.299999999999997
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Cheyenne County?

Many homeowners in Cheyenne 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

$139,700

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$821/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$139,700/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $60,348/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

10.6

per 100K

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

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Cheyenne County with Banks County →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Logan County
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37.3
Deuel County
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62.5
Sedgwick County
Colorado
62
Kimball County
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Morrill County
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Garden County
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Phillips County
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Banner County
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57.9

Deep Dives

Cheyenne County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cheyenne County

via TaxByCounty

Cheyenne's taxes run 35% higher than U.S. norm

At 1.741%, Cheyenne County's effective property tax rate sits well above the national median of 0.84%, placing it in roughly the 75th percentile nationally. This means homeowners here pay substantially more in property taxes than most Americans, even though home values are well below the national median.

Among the highest in Nebraska

Cheyenne ranks in the upper tier of Nebraska's 93 counties, with a 1.741% effective rate that exceeds the state average of 1.281% by nearly 36%. Only a handful of Nebraska counties impose higher property tax burdens on their residents.

Cheyenne taxes outpace most regional peers

Cheyenne's 1.741% rate towers over nearby Laramie County and other High Plains neighbors, which typically range from 0.8% to 1.3%. Among the eight-county region we tracked, only Dakota County (1.594%) comes close to Cheyenne's burden.

Expect $2,248 annually on median home

A typical Cheyenne County home valued at $129,100 generates a $2,248 annual property tax bill at the current rate. Owners with mortgages typically see $2,640 in total tax liability, while those without mortgages pay $1,858.

Many Cheyenne homeowners are overassessed

Property tax appeals in Cheyenne County have succeeded at meaningful rates, suggesting that some assessed values may exceed actual market value. If you believe your home is overvalued, filing an appeal with your county assessor's office could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cheyenne County

via IncomeByCounty

Cheyenne falls short of national income

Cheyenne County's median household income of $57,594 lags 23% behind the national median of $74,755. This places the county in the bottom tier nationally for household earnings, signaling economic challenges relative to most U.S. counties.

Bottom third in Nebraska earnings

Cheyenne County ranks among Nebraska's lower-income counties, falling $9,286 below the state median of $66,880. Only a handful of Nebraska counties earn less, making Cheyenne one of the state's most economically constrained regions.

Lagging rural Nebraska peers

Cheyenne's $57,594 income significantly trails adjacent Colfax County ($79,720) and Dawson County ($65,383). The gap suggests economic divergence across the panhandle, with Cheyenne facing steeper income headwinds than neighboring counties.

Housing remains affordable here

At 19.0%, Cheyenne's rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating renters spend less than one-fifth of income on housing. However, the county's lower median income means households have less discretionary spending for other essentials and savings.

Build financial security intentionally

With median incomes below state and national averages, Cheyenne households benefit most from disciplined budgeting and low-cost investment strategies like employer 401(k)s or index funds. Starting small—even $50 monthly—compounds significantly over time and builds resilience against economic volatility.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Cheyenne County

via CrimeByCounty

Cheyenne County Stays Below National Crime Levels

Cheyenne County’s total crime rate of 1,717.8 per 100,000 residents remains well below the national average of 2,385.5. This performance earns the county a robust safety score of 97.3 out of 100.

Local Crime Rates Exceed State Average

Despite being safer than the U.S. average, Cheyenne lags behind the typical Nebraska community. Its total crime rate is nearly triple the state average of 626.7 per 100,000 residents.

Comparing Safety Across Neighboring Counties

Cheyenne faces higher crime pressure than rural neighbors like Clay or Cuming counties. However, it maintains a significantly lower total crime rate than Dakota County's 2,266.7 per 100,000.

Violent vs Property Crime in Cheyenne

The local profile consists of 495.3 violent incidents and 1,222.5 property crimes per 100,000 people. While the violent rate exceeds the national mark of 369.8, property crimes remain considerably lower than the U.S. figure of 2,015.7.

Keeping Your Cheyenne County Home Secure

High safety scores offer peace of mind, but residents should still practice basic vigilance. Standard security measures help maintain the county's relative safety compared to national norms.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Cheyenne County

via WeatherByCounty

A Cool and Semiarid High Plains Climate

Cheyenne County maintains an annual average temperature of 49.0°F, which sits notably lower than the national median. The region is significantly drier than much of the country, recording only 18.3 inches of annual precipitation.

Cooler than the Nebraska Average

The county's 49.0°F average temperature falls below the Nebraska state average of 49.7°F. This reflects the higher elevation and western position of the county compared to the warmer eastern plains.

High Elevation Weather Patterns

Cheyenne County experiences a rugged climate with 35.1 inches of annual snowfall, which is significantly higher than counties further east. Its 18.3 inches of rain also makes it one of the drier agricultural zones in the state.

Sharp Seasonal Contrasts and High Heat

Despite a cool annual average, the county faces 42 extreme heat days over 90°F annually. Winters are chilly with a 28.5°F average, while summers peak with a July average of 74.0°F.

Prepare for Snow and Sun

Residents must maintain high-performance HVAC systems to handle 42 days of extreme summer heat. Heavy-duty snow removal equipment is also essential to manage the 35.1 inches of annual snowfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Cheyenne County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Loam and Mollisol Base

Cheyenne County is defined by Mollisols, the deep, dark soils typical of the American grasslands. Its dominant loam texture pairs with an average pH of 7.17, which is notably more alkaline than the national median of 6.5.

Sand-Heavy Loam for Easy Working

The soil mix contains 53.9% sand, 30.1% silt, and 14.0% clay. This high sand percentage ensures the soil is easy to work and allows for rapid water infiltration, though it holds less water than denser clay soils.

Moderate Fertility and Water Capacity

Organic matter sits at 1.80%, which falls below both the national average of 2.0% and the Nebraska state average of 3.32%. The available water capacity of 0.165 in/in suggests plants need consistent moisture management to thrive here.

Well Drained for Stable Foundations

Classified as well-drained, this soil belongs to hydrologic group C, indicating a moderate to high rate of runoff when saturated. These conditions are generally favorable for building and road construction but may require irrigation for thirsty crops.

Success in Zone 5b

Located in hardiness zone 5b, this soil is perfect for hardy grains and drought-tolerant perennials. Gardeners should focus on building up organic matter with compost to improve the current 1.80% level and support a wider variety of vegetables.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Cheyenne County

via LawnByCounty

A Challenging Climate for Cheyenne Lawns

Cheyenne County earns a lawn difficulty score of 34.9, which is significantly more difficult than the Nebraska state average of 54.2. Maintaining a lawn in this hardiness zone 5b environment requires significantly more effort than the national median score of 50.0.

Arid Conditions and Intense Summer Heat

The county receives just 18.3 inches of annual precipitation, falling well below the 30-50 inches ideal for most lawn grasses. With 42 extreme heat days over 90°F annually, your mowing schedule must adapt to high-stress summer peaks.

Working with Sandy Loam Soils

The soil is a well-drained loam with a high sand content of 53.9% and a slightly alkaline pH of 7.17. While the drainage is excellent, the soil pH sits just above the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, potentially requiring sulfur amendments to improve nutrient uptake.

Navigating a Year of Severe Drought

The county has spent all 53 weeks of the past year in drought, with 100% of the area currently in severe drought or worse. To conserve water, homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering cycles during the early morning hours.

Planting for Success in the Panhandle

Drought-tolerant species like Buffalograss or Fine Fescue are best suited for this arid 5b climate. Aim to start your lawn project after the last spring frost on May 9th to ensure your new grass establishes before the summer heat arrives.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Cheyenne County's county score?
Cheyenne County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 43.5 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 Cheyenne County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Cheyenne County ranks #81 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 Cheyenne County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Cheyenne County is $2,301, with an effective tax rate of 1.65%. This earns Cheyenne County a tax score of 7.3/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Cheyenne County?
The median household income in Cheyenne County, Nebraska is $60,348 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Cheyenne County earns an income score of 34.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Cheyenne County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Cheyenne County scores 43.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #81 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Cheyenne 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 Cheyenne County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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