CountyScore

Douglas County

Nebraska · NE

#93 in Nebraska
56.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Douglas County, Nebraska

Douglas ranks above the national median

Douglas County's composite score of 56.8 exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it solidly in the upper half of U.S. counties. However, it faces meaningful livability challenges compared to peer Nebraska counties and the national context.

Significantly below Nebraska's county average

At 56.8, Douglas County lags Nebraska's state average of 71.2 by a substantial margin—nearly 15 points—making it one of the state's lower performers. This gap reflects structural livability challenges not seen in rural peer counties.

Highest incomes anchor the county's profile

Douglas County's income score of 35.0 is the highest among all eight counties surveyed, with median household income of $79,081 supporting strong earning potential. Health outcomes at 74.9 are also respectable, indicating adequate healthcare access and wellness.

Risk and affordability pose serious concerns

The risk score of 4.1 is alarmingly low, reflecting significant vulnerability to natural disasters or other hazards—the worst in this cohort. Housing affordability is also strained, with median rents at $1,162 and home values at $245,800, among the highest regionally, combined with the highest effective tax rate at 1.747%.

For high-earners comfortable with higher costs

Douglas County (home to Omaha's metro) suits affluent professionals and families with substantial incomes willing to navigate higher housing costs and elevated risk exposure. It's not the choice for budget-conscious relocators or those seeking low-risk rural living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax53.1Cost64.5SafetyComing SoonHealth74.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome35Risk4.1WaterComing Soon
🏛53.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠64.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼35
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡4.1
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 Douglas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Champaign County
Illinois
56.8
Median income: $63,091
Wyandotte County
Kansas
56.8
Median income: $60,582
Sullivan County
New York
56.8
Median income: $69,826
Maverick County
Texas
56.8
Median income: $51,270
Uvalde County
Texas
56.8
Median income: $57,849

Deep Dives

Douglas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Douglas County

via TaxByCounty

Douglas County leads national tax ranking

Douglas County's effective rate of 1.747% significantly exceeds the national median effective rate of approximately 0.89%, placing it in the top tier of American counties for property tax burden. The median tax bill of $4,295 towers over the national median of $2,690, reflecting both higher values and higher rates.

Highest taxes in all of Nebraska

Douglas County's 1.747% effective rate is the highest among all Nebraska counties, exceeding the state average of 1.281% by 36%. The median property tax of $4,295 is more than double the state average of $1,972, a direct result of Omaha's strong real estate market and the county's urban tax base.

Significantly higher than surrounding counties

Douglas's 1.747% rate dwarfs all regional peers: Dodge County (1.377%), Frontier County (1.426%), Deuel County (1.497%), and others in the survey. This reflects Douglas's status as Nebraska's population center and home to Omaha, where property values and municipal service demands drive higher assessments.

Omaha-area homeowners pay premium rates

The median Douglas County home valued at $245,800 carries an annual property tax bill of $4,295. Mortgage-holders pay $4,429, while cash buyers pay $3,980—a $449 gap that accumulates significantly over a homeownership lifetime.

Appeal potential in high-value market

Even in fast-appreciating Douglas County, assessment errors occur—properties are sometimes valued above actual market conditions. Omaha-area homeowners should obtain a recent appraisal or review comparable sales; if your assessed value exceeds fair market value, an appeal could save thousands annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Douglas County

via CostByCounty

Douglas faces highest affordability strain

Douglas County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among Nebraska counties and well above both the national average and state average of 14.2%, reflecting Omaha's metro pressures. Despite the highest median household income in this group at $79,081—above the national median of $74,755—renters still spend $1,162 monthly on housing, outpacing wage growth. Douglas stands as Nebraska's affordability challenge, even for relatively well-compensated households.

Douglas County: Nebraska's costliest market

Douglas ranks last among Nebraska counties for rental affordability, with a 17.6% rent-to-income ratio and median rents of $1,162—48.4% above the state average. Higher wages ($79,081) provide some cushion that smaller counties lack, but housing cost growth has clearly outpaced income growth in the Omaha metro. Douglas renters face the steepest affordability wall in the state.

Douglas dominates regional housing costs

Douglas's $1,162 monthly rent towers over all neighboring counties: nearly $200 more than Deuel, over $500 more than Dixon, and $177 more than Dodge County. Even Douglas County's higher household incomes ($79,081) cannot fully offset the rent premium, and the gap widens further when comparing homeownership costs. Douglas represents Omaha's metro price reality—substantially costlier than rural and small-town Nebraska.

Douglas housing consumes one-fifth of income

A Douglas household earning $79,081 annually ($6,591/month) devotes $1,162 to rent—17.6% of gross income—leaving 82.4% for utilities, food, transportation, and savings. For homeowners, the burden is steeper: $1,495 monthly represents 22.7% of income, making the median home value of $245,800 a substantial commitment. Douglas renters face tighter affordability than homeowners, a reversal of patterns in smaller counties.

Douglas offers metro opportunities, metro costs

Relocating to Douglas County (Omaha area) means accepting Nebraska's highest housing costs: $1,162 for rent or $1,495 for ownership, consuming 18–23% of income. The trade-off includes stronger job markets, urban services, and higher wages ($79,081) compared to rural counties. Compare Douglas carefully against lower-cost alternatives like Dixon or Fillmore if housing affordability is your priority; choose Douglas if urban opportunity justifies the premium.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Douglas County

via IncomeByCounty

Douglas leads Nebraska counties nationally

Douglas County's median household income of $79,081 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about $4,300, ranking it in the upper-income tier nationally. Home to Omaha, the county anchors Nebraska's most economically robust region.

Highest income in Nebraska

At $79,081, Douglas County's median household income significantly outpaces Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by roughly $12,200. The county ranks first among Nebraska's 93 counties in household earnings.

Douglas dominates regional income

Douglas's $79,081 median household income far exceeds surrounding rural and mid-sized counties, reflecting Omaha's role as a major employment hub. The county's per capita income of $45,178 is the highest across Nebraska's counties.

Higher incomes support higher costs

Douglas County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% reflects the trade-off of higher urban incomes with higher housing costs. The median home value of $245,800 is significantly above rural counterparts, though still affordable for the county's above-average earners.

Diversify wealth beyond homeownership

Douglas County's higher incomes create prime opportunities for investment diversification across stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts. Omaha residents should work with financial advisors to build multi-layered wealth strategies and take full advantage of tax-deferred savings options.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Douglas County

via HealthByCounty

Douglas County matches U.S. health trends

Douglas County's 77.7-year life expectancy sits 0.4 years below the U.S. average of 78.1 years, reflecting near-national performance. With 15.6% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county aligns closely with national health burden patterns.

Omaha area slightly above state average

Douglas County's 77.7-year life expectancy sits 0.2 years above Nebraska's 77.5-year state average, giving it a slight edge. As home to Nebraska's largest urban center, the county offers extensive health resources reflected in its moderate performance.

Urban advantage in metro Omaha

Douglas County's 77.7-year life expectancy outpaces nearby Dodge County (76.2) significantly, demonstrating the health benefits of urban infrastructure and provider density. The 8.0% uninsured rate approaches state average, lower than most rural neighbors.

Omaha's rich health infrastructure

Douglas County leads the state with 109 primary care providers and 529 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—3 to 5 times higher than rural counties. The 8.0% uninsured rate is nearly at state average, with strong access to care for those with coverage.

Use Omaha's health care advantage

Douglas County's exceptional provider network means nearly everyone with insurance can access care quickly, but 8% remain uninsured. Visit healthcare.gov or contact local health centers to secure affordable coverage and capitalize on this region's outstanding health resources.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Douglas County

via RiskByCounty

Douglas County faces highest disaster risk

Douglas County's composite risk score of 95.87 ranks it among the nation's most hazard-prone counties with a Relatively High rating. Residents face natural disaster exposure substantially above the national average across multiple threat categories.

Nebraska's riskiest county by far

Douglas County scores 95.87—nearly four times Nebraska's average of 25.80—making it the state's highest-risk county. This exceptional exposure reflects the county's location in a major metropolitan area along the Platte River in a severe weather corridor.

Dramatically higher risk than surrounding areas

Douglas County's score of 95.87 dwarfs neighboring counties, reflecting its urban density and riverine geography. No comparable county in the region approaches Douglas's risk level across the board.

Tornadoes and floods dominate the threat landscape

Tornadoes score 99.40 and flooding reaches 95.07 in Douglas County—among the highest hazard exposures in the nation. Wildfire risk (88.80) and earthquake risk (52.74) round out a comprehensive hazard portfolio that requires serious attention.

Multi-hazard insurance is non-negotiable

Douglas County's tornado score of 99.40 and flood risk of 95.07 demand that homeowners carry comprehensive coverage for all major hazards. Consider a FEMA-approved safe room, purchase separate flood insurance immediately, and review your policy quarterly given the county's extreme exposure.

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.