CountyScore

Frontier County

Nebraska · NE

#35 in Nebraska
72.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Frontier County, Nebraska

Frontier scores solidly above the national bar

Frontier County's composite score of 72.8 is 46% higher than the national median of 50.0, marking it as a strong performer in the national livability landscape. This indicates balanced quality across multiple dimensions.

Above Nebraska's average, a solid performer

At 72.8, Frontier County ranks above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, making it one of the state's stronger county options. It performs consistently across the state hierarchy.

Affordability and low risk define the county

Frontier County excels with a cost score of 86.0—matching Dixon County—offering median rents at $605/month and median home values at $138,800. The risk score of 86.4 is among the best in this group, reflecting strong safety and stability, while health outcomes at 76.1 are solid.

Income and tax burden lag slightly behind

The income score of 27.9 with median household income of $68,207 is moderate but trails some peer counties. The tax score of 62.2 and effective rate of 1.426% are also on the higher end of this cohort, offering room for improvement.

A balanced choice for safety-minded families

Frontier County appeals to families prioritizing safety, affordability, and low-risk living over maximum income potential or minimal tax burden. It's a solid middle-ground option for those seeking rural stability and value.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.2Cost86SafetyComing SoonHealth76.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.9Risk86.4WaterComing Soon
🏛62.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.4
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 Frontier County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Alpine County
California
72.8
Median income: $110,781
Modoc County
California
72.8
Median income: $56,648
Chickasaw County
Iowa
72.8
Median income: $73,421
Leslie County
Kentucky
72.8
Median income: $40,176
Benzie County
Michigan
72.8
Median income: $72,603

Deep Dives

Frontier County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Frontier County

via TaxByCounty

Frontier taxes exceed national median

Frontier County's effective rate of 1.426% is well above the national median effective rate of approximately 0.89%, positioning residents in a higher-tax environment than most American homeowners. The median tax bill of $1,979 represents 74% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting above-average tax burden.

Above Nebraska average, mid-rank

Frontier's 1.426% effective rate exceeds Nebraska's state average of 1.281% by 11%, placing it in the higher-tax tier of state counties. The median property tax of $1,979 is just $7 below the state average of $1,972, making Frontier a representative Nebraska tax environment.

Moderate taxes among rural peers

At 1.426%, Frontier ranks above Fillmore (1.129%), Franklin (1.133%), and Dixon (1.212%), but below Deuel (1.497%) and Douglas (1.747%). This places Frontier in the middle tier of the region, reflecting its mid-sized rural character with modest service infrastructure demands.

Annual bills for typical homeowners

A Frontier County homeowner with the median property value of $138,800 pays approximately $1,979 yearly in property taxes. Mortgage-holders pay $2,231, while cash buyers pay $1,788—a $443 annual gap that reflects whether home equity is financed or owned outright.

Contest overassessments

Frontier County residents with properties assessed above recent market sales or independent appraisals should file a reassessment appeal with the county. The process is free and accessible; even a 5% overassessment reduction would save approximately $100 annually on the median property.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Frontier County

via CostByCounty

Frontier delivers exceptional rental affordability

Frontier County's 10.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among Nebraska's best and well below the national average, signaling strong housing affordability despite modest wages. With a median household income of $68,207 and median rent at just $605, Frontier residents devote significantly less of their earnings to housing than typical Americans. This county delivers genuine value in the rural Great Plains.

Frontier ranks Nebraska's second-best value

At 10.6%, Frontier's rent-to-income ratio trails only Fillmore (10.5%) among Nebraska counties, beating the state average of 14.2% by 3.6 percentage points. Median rent of $605 runs 22.7% below the state average of $783, while household income of $68,207 provides solid earning power for the region. Frontier combines affordability with reasonable wage potential.

Frontier rents sit among region's lowest

At $605 monthly, Frontier's median rent ranks second-lowest in this region, exceeding only Dundy's $588 by $17 while beating Deuel, Dodge, and Douglas by $222–$557. Frontier households earn $68,207, more than rural neighbors like Dundy and Franklin, creating favorable affordability ratios. Frontier delivers rural cost advantage with stronger wage potential than its most affordable peers.

Frontier renters retain 89.4% for other needs

A Frontier household earning $68,207 annually ($5,684/month) devotes just $605 to rent—10.6%—preserving 89.4% for all other expenses. Homeowners face a steeper burden: $772 monthly represents 13.6% of income, though the median home value of $138,800 remains accessible for local wage-earners. Frontier's affordability advantage favors renters particularly strongly.

Frontier: affordable rents, solid rural wages

Relocating to Frontier County delivers affordable rents ($605/month) paired with reasonable rural wages ($68,207), making housing consume just 10.6% of income. Homebuyers will find median values of $138,800 with monthly costs of $772, accessible for local earners. Frontier ranks among Nebraska's best options for those seeking rural affordability with economic stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Frontier County

via IncomeByCounty

Frontier keeps near national average

Frontier County's median household income of $68,207 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $6,550, placing it in the middle-income range nationally. The county performs reasonably well for a rural, agricultural area.

Slightly below Nebraska's average

At $68,207, Frontier's median household income is just $2,673 below Nebraska's state average of $66,880, aligning closely with the state norm. The county ranks in the middle tier of Nebraska's 93 counties.

Competitive income for the Panhandle

Frontier's $68,207 median household income compares favorably to neighboring Panhandle counties, supported by ranching and agricultural operations. The per capita income of $32,184 reflects the concentration of wealth in larger operations.

Housing remarkably affordable

Frontier County's rent-to-income ratio of just 10.6% is among the lowest in Nebraska, indicating exceptional housing affordability. With a median home value of $138,800, residents benefit from stable home values and manageable ownership costs.

Leverage affordability for savings

Frontier County's low housing costs create meaningful opportunities to redirect earnings toward retirement savings and investments. Residents should prioritize tax-advantaged accounts and consider how agricultural income stabilization strategies complement personal financial planning.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Frontier County

via HealthByCounty

Frontier County adds years to life

At 79.6 years, Frontier County residents live 1.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 78.1 years—a notable health advantage. With 16.1% reporting poor or fair health, residents face moderate chronic disease burden despite their strong life expectancy gains.

Among Nebraska's longest-living counties

Frontier County's 79.6-year life expectancy exceeds Nebraska's 77.5-year state average by 2.1 years, ranking it in the state's top tier. This rural county demonstrates that small size need not limit health outcomes when community health practices are strong.

Western Nebraska's longevity leader

Frontier County's 79.6-year life expectancy ranks second only to Deuel County (79.9) in Nebraska, making it a regional longevity standout. The 16.1% poor/fair health rate slightly exceeds the state baseline but aligns with other rural southwestern counties.

Limited data masks strong outcomes

Frontier County's 7.8% uninsured rate sits below Nebraska's 8.1% state average, with 39 mental health providers per 100,000 residents available. Primary care provider data isn't available, but the county's strong life expectancy suggests residents access necessary care effectively.

Keep Frontier County thriving

Frontier County's excellent life expectancy reflects strong community health, and ensuring full insurance coverage will protect those gains. If you're among the 7.8% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov to explore affordable options and secure your family's access to care.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Frontier County

via RiskByCounty

Frontier's risk ranks well below national average

Frontier County's composite risk score of 13.68 falls well below the national average with a Very Low rating. Residents enjoy significantly lower natural disaster exposure than most American counties.

Well below Nebraska's risk average

Frontier County scores 13.68, substantially below Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it among the state's safer counties. This protective position reflects the county's remote panhandle location with moderate hazard exposure.

Among the safer counties in western Nebraska

Frontier County's score of 13.68 ranks it as one of the safer counties in the western panhandle region. Most neighboring counties show comparable or elevated risk levels.

Wildfire is the primary concern

Wildfire risk scores 41.76 in Frontier County, representing the dominant natural hazard residents face. Tornado risk (29.23) and earthquake risk (10.11) pose secondary concerns, while flood risk (7.44) remains minimal.

Prioritize wildfire protection and coverage

Frontier County homeowners should focus on wildfire preparedness given the county's 41.76 wildfire risk score. Verify your insurance includes wildfire damage, create defensible space around your home, and review coverage annually.

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.