Cuming County

Nebraska · NE

#63 in Nebraska
69.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Cuming County, Nebraska

Solidly above national livability norm

Cuming County's composite score of 69.9 towers 40 points above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 71st percentile nationally. It's a genuinely livable county by U.S. standards.

Nearly matches Nebraska's average

Cuming County's 69.9 score sits just 1.3 points below Nebraska's state average of 71.2, making it one of the state's more balanced performers. It ranks competitively among all 93 Nebraska counties.

Best-in-class tax benefits and affordability

Cuming County delivers Nebraska's lowest effective tax rate at just 1.038%, backed by the highest tax score of 73.1 in this cohort. Combined with a cost score of 82.0, monthly rent of $800, and solid health outcomes (73.1), it's remarkably tax-efficient.

Income potential and risk management

The income score of 29.5 with a median of $70,708 means wages are modest, potentially limiting long-term wealth building despite low costs. A risk score of 42.7 signals above-average exposure to loss or instability worth assessing.

Perfect for tax-averse, frugal households

Cuming County is tailor-made for retirees, fixed-income families, and those prioritizing tax minimization and affordability over high earnings. Its combination of ultra-low taxes and reasonable housing costs creates genuine financial breathing room.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.1Cost82SafetyComing SoonHealth73.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.5Risk42.7WaterComing Soon
🏛73.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠82
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼29.5
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
42.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Cuming County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cuming County

via TaxByCounty

Cuming offers the lowest regional tax burden

Cuming County's 1.038% effective rate ranks near the national median of 0.84%, placing it in roughly the 50th percentile across U.S. counties. This is genuinely competitive on a national scale, rivaling many lower-tax regions.

Nebraska's most tax-friendly in this survey

At 1.038%, Cuming County ranks among Nebraska's lowest effective rates, well below the statewide average of 1.281%. It stands out as one of the most affordable counties for property owners in the state.

Cuming's rate undercuts all regional peers

Cuming's 1.038% is the lowest across the eight-county survey, roughly one-third lower than Cheyenne (1.741%) and significantly below most neighbors. Only Colfax (1.252%) comes within striking distance.

Annual tax on median home runs $1,815

On Cuming's median home value of $174,900, homeowners face approximately $1,815 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages typically pay $2,177, while mortgage-free owners pay $1,619.

Low rates don't mean skip the appeal

Even in favorable tax environments like Cuming, overassessment occurs; some homeowners may find their property valued above recent market sales. Filing a simple appeal costs nothing and can lock in further savings.

Cost of Living in Cuming County

via CostByCounty

Cuming offers balanced housing costs

Cuming County residents spend 13.6% of their median household income on rent, matching Nebraska's state average of 14.2% and performing better than national norms. With a median income of $70,708 and rent of $800 monthly, housing costs remain firmly manageable compared to national and state benchmarks.

Right at Nebraska's affordability median

Cuming County's 13.6% rent-to-income ratio places it squarely in the middle of Nebraska's housing affordability spectrum. The county represents the statewide norm rather than an outlier, suggesting typical housing cost pressures for the region.

Moderate rent, strong home values

Cuming County's $800 monthly rent sits between Clay's bargain rates and Colfax's mid-range, but its median home value of $174,900 is the highest in this region. This suggests a vibrant homeownership market despite modest rental costs.

Ownership outpaces rental affordability

Monthly rent of $800 consumes 13.6% of the median income, while homeownership costs $791—surprisingly similar despite a much higher median home value of $174,900. This pricing suggests favorable mortgage rates and strong equity potential for Cuming homebuyers.

A solid middle-ground Nebraska county

Cuming County offers neither the bargain rents of Clay nor the premium incomes of Colfax, but delivers steady, predictable housing costs. If you seek stability and moderate affordability, this represents a balanced choice.

Income & Jobs in Cuming County

via IncomeByCounty

Cuming slightly below national average

Cuming County's median household income of $70,708 falls short of the national median of $74,755 by $4,047, or 5.4%. While below the U.S. norm, this positions Cuming in the middle range of American counties rather than at the bottom.

Mid-range Nebraska income county

Cuming County earns $70,708, slightly above Nebraska's state median of $66,880 by $3,828. The county ranks comfortably in the middle of the state's income distribution, reflecting stable if unremarkable economic performance.

Competitive with surrounding counties

Cuming's $70,708 income trails Colfax ($79,720) but outpaces Custer ($66,310), Dawson ($65,383), and Dakota ($71,655). The county's position reflects moderate economic stability in a mixed rural region.

Solid housing affordability metrics

Cuming's rent-to-income ratio of 13.6% sits well below the 30% affordability threshold, indicating renters spend just over one-eighth of income on housing. Combined with median income near the state average, households enjoy reasonable financial breathing room.

Build consistency into your plan

With solid affordability and middle-tier income, Cuming households benefit from disciplined, long-term wealth strategies: automatic retirement contributions, emergency savings of 3–6 months, and regular investment. Consistency matters more than heroic single actions when earnings are moderate.

Health in Cuming County

via HealthByCounty

Cuming County life span nears national average

Cuming County residents live 79.1 years on average—0.6 years above the U.S. average of 79.7 years. The county's 15.4% poor/fair health rate suggests manageable chronic disease prevalence for a rural Nebraska county.

Above Nebraska's health baseline

At 79.1 years, Cuming County exceeds Nebraska's state average life expectancy of 77.5 years by 1.6 years. Its 11.3% uninsured rate is notably higher than the state average of 8.1%, indicating coverage gaps.

Balanced provider access across the board

Cuming County offers 45 primary care providers per 100,000—solidly mid-range among its peers—and 90 mental health providers per 100,000, supporting both physical and behavioral care. This balance provides residents with reasonable access to most healthcare services.

Coverage gaps affect one in nine

One in nine Cuming County residents (11.3%) lacks health insurance, which can delay preventive care and increase emergency department reliance. For those with coverage, moderate provider density means most routine care is accessible locally.

Get insured, stay healthy

Cuming County's 11.3% uninsured rate means thousands of residents are one medical emergency away from financial hardship. Healthcare.gov and local navigators can help you find affordable coverage today.

Disaster Risk in Cuming County

via RiskByCounty

Cuming County's Elevated Risk Level

Cuming County carries a composite risk score of 57.28 with a Relatively Low rating, significantly exceeding the national average for natural disaster risk. Wildfire (86.39), tornado (71.41), and flood (49.20) risks all contribute substantially to this elevated profile.

One of Nebraska's Highest-Risk Counties

At 57.28, Cuming County's composite risk score is more than twice Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it among the state's most hazard-exposed counties. The county's wildfire risk (86.39) is the highest among all hazards recorded and far exceeds regional norms.

Notably Riskier Than Surrounding Areas

Cuming County (57.28) faces substantially higher composite risk than neighboring Colfax County (28.63) and Cheyenne County (27.80), driven primarily by its extreme wildfire exposure. Its tornado risk (71.41) is also among the most severe in the state.

Wildfire, Tornado, and Flood Threats

Cuming County faces three major disaster threats: wildfire risk of 86.39 (among the state's highest), tornado risk of 71.41, and flood risk of 49.20. This multi-hazard exposure requires comprehensive preparation across all three threat categories.

Comprehensive Multi-Hazard Coverage

Cuming County residents must secure coverage for wildfire, tornado/windstorm, and flood risks—a rarer combination requiring careful policy review. Create a defensible space around your home, ensure structural reinforcement against high winds, and consider flood insurance if near low-lying areas.

ByCounty Network

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