Deuel County

Nebraska · NE

#40 in Nebraska
72.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Deuel County, Nebraska

Deuel outpaces the national median

Deuel County scores 72.4 out of 100 on the CountyScore composite index, well above the national median of 50.0. This performance places the county in the upper half of U.S. counties overall, signaling solid livability across multiple dimensions.

Slightly ahead of Nebraska average

With a score of 72.4, Deuel County ranks slightly above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, positioning it as a stable performer within the state. The county holds its own in a competitive Nebraska landscape.

Affordability and stability are standout wins

Deuel County excels in cost (83.3) and risk management (96.0), with median home values at just $97,200 and rents at $827/month. Health outcomes are also robust at 78.5, reflecting good overall wellness in the community.

Income growth lags behind state peers

The county's income score of 23.5 is notably low, with median household income at $61,438—below state averages for many comparable counties. Tax burden, while moderate at 1.497%, offers room for improvement compared to lower-taxed rural neighbors.

Home for cost-conscious, stability-seeking families

Deuel County suits families prioritizing affordability and low-risk living over high earning potential. It's ideal for retirees, remote workers, and those seeking rural stability without a premium price tag.

Score breakdown

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

Tax60.2Cost83.3SafetyComing SoonHealth78.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.5Risk96WaterComing Soon
🏛60.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠83.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼23.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
78.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
96
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

Deuel County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Deuel County

via TaxByCounty

Deuel's tax rate beats national norm

Deuel County homeowners pay an effective rate of 1.497%, well below the national median effective rate of around 0.89% based on national median tax and home values. This places Deuel in the lower-tax tier nationally, meaning residents keep more of their home equity compared to typical American homeowners.

Above average for Nebraska

At 1.497% effective rate, Deuel ranks above Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, placing it in the higher-tax counties statewide. However, the median property tax of $1,455 remains $517 below the state average of $1,972, reflecting Deuel's lower median home values.

Moderate taxes among rural peers

Deuel's 1.497% rate sits between Dundy County's lowest-in-state 0.822% and Frontier County's 1.426%. Compared to Fillmore County's 1.129% and Franklin County's 1.133%, Deuel residents pay slightly more per dollar of home value, though absolute tax bills remain modest due to lower home prices.

Annual taxes on typical home

A homeowner with a median-valued property of $97,200 pays approximately $1,455 annually in property taxes. With a mortgage, that bill rises to $1,661, but without one it drops to $1,322—a meaningful difference for retirees and cash buyers.

Check your assessment today

Many property owners across Nebraska are assessed above fair market value and could recover thousands by filing an appeal. Deuel County residents should request a reassessment if their recent home sale or appraisal suggests overvaluation—the process is free and straightforward.

Cost of Living in Deuel County

via CostByCounty

Deuel's rent burden exceeds national norms

Renters in Deuel County spend 16.1% of their income on rent, outpacing the national average and indicating tighter affordability. While median household income here is $61,438—about 18% below the national median of $74,755—monthly rent at $827 remains relatively steep for local wages. This gap suggests housing costs are consuming a larger share of household budgets than typical across America.

Deuel ranks among Nebraska's pricier rentals

At a 16.1% rent-to-income ratio, Deuel County exceeds Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, placing it in the upper half of unaffordability among the state's counties. Median rent at $827 is also 5.6% higher than the state average of $783, reflecting pressures in a county where incomes lag slightly behind state norms. Renters here face notably tighter affordability than most Nebraska neighbors.

Deuel rents climb above surrounding counties

Deuel's $827 monthly rent sits significantly higher than nearby Dundy County ($588) and Franklin County ($613), though below Dodge County's $985. When paired with a lower median income than several neighbors, Deuel renters face the steepest affordability challenge in this cluster. Homebuying offers modest relief: median home values at $97,200 are lower than most regional peers.

Housing eats 16% of Deuel household budgets

A typical Deuel household earning $61,438 annually ($5,120/month) spends $827 on rent—leaving just 84% of income for all other expenses. For homeowners, the $674 monthly mortgage payment is more manageable at 13.2% of income, though property taxes and insurance add to that burden. The gap reveals that renting carries a steeper affordability penalty than homeownership in this county.

Deuel offers modest home values, moderate rents

If you're relocating to Nebraska and prioritize affordable homeownership, Deuel's median home value of $97,200 and monthly owner costs of $674 are accessible entry points. Renters should weigh Deuel's 16.1% burden against nearby Dundy or Franklin Counties, where rent-to-income ratios dip below 13%. Both options require careful budgeting, but Deuel's lower home prices may appeal to owner-occupied households.

Income & Jobs in Deuel County

via IncomeByCounty

Deuel lags behind national income mark

Deuel County's median household income of $61,438 falls about $13,300 short of the national median of $74,755. This places the county in the lower-income tier nationally, though it reflects broader rural economic patterns across the Great Plains.

Below-average income within Nebraska

At $61,438, Deuel's median household income trails Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by roughly $5,400. The county ranks in the lower half of Nebraska's 93 counties by household earnings.

County incomes vary across the region

Deuel's $61,438 median sits below neighboring Cheyenne County and comparable rural areas, though it exceeds some of the state's most economically challenged counties in the northwest. Per capita income of $40,271 reflects agricultural and small-town employment patterns.

Housing remains affordable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 16.1%, Deuel County residents spend a relatively modest share of earnings on housing—well below the national stress threshold of 30%. The median home value of $97,200 is highly accessible on local incomes.

Building financial security matters here

Deuel's lower median income makes consistent saving and investing even more critical for long-term wealth building. Consider working with a local financial advisor to establish an emergency fund and explore low-cost investment options suited to modest but stable farm and business incomes.

Health in Deuel County

via HealthByCounty

Deuel County outlives the nation

At 79.9 years, Deuel County residents live nearly 2 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.1 years—a significant health advantage. Only 14.4% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 17%, signaling strong overall wellness in this rural community.

Nebraska's healthiest counties

Deuel County ranks among Nebraska's top performers, with a life expectancy of 79.9 years compared to the state average of 77.5 years. This 2.4-year edge reflects consistent access to preventive care and healthy behaviors across the county.

Rural Nebraska life expectancy varies

Deuel County's 79.9-year life expectancy outpaces nearby Frontier County (79.6) and Fillmore County (79.1), making it one of the region's longevity leaders. The county's 14.4% poor/fair health rate ranks better than most neighboring rural counties in the state.

Strong health, limited provider data

Deuel County's uninsured rate of 7.2% sits below Nebraska's 8.1% state average, meaning most residents have health coverage. While specific provider counts aren't available for this rural area, residents maintain strong health outcomes through effective care management.

Keep Deuel County healthy

With 7.2% of residents uninsured, there's room to connect everyone to coverage. Visit healthcare.gov or contact Nebraska's health department to explore affordable insurance options and protect your family's health.

Disaster Risk in Deuel County

via RiskByCounty

Deuel ranks among safest counties nationally

With a composite risk score of 4.04, Deuel County sits well below the national average and carries a Very Low risk rating. This means residents face significantly fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties.

One of Nebraska's lowest-risk counties

Deuel's score of 4.04 ranks it among the safest counties in Nebraska, where the state average sits at 25.80. This protective position reflects the county's geography and relative isolation from major hazard corridors.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Deuel County's risk score of 4.04 is notably lower than neighboring Cheyenne County and similar rural counties across the panhandle. Its low profile holds steady across most hazard categories, making it one of the region's more secure areas.

Wildfire remains the primary threat

Wildfire risk scores 38.42 in Deuel County, representing the most significant natural hazard residents face. While tornado risk (17.40) and earthquake risk (8.84) exist, they remain substantially lower than the county's wildfire exposure.

Focus wildfire coverage for peace of mind

Even in low-risk Deuel County, homeowners should verify that their insurance policies adequately cover wildfire damage, given the county's elevated wildfire score of 38.42. Review your policy annually and maintain defensible space around your property.

ByCounty Network

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