CountyScore

Furnas County

Nebraska · NE

#77 in Nebraska
67.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Furnas County, Nebraska

Furnas outpaces national median by 34%

Furnas County's composite score of 67.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 67th percentile nationally. This above-average performance reflects a county where residents enjoy conditions measurably better than the typical American county.

Slightly below Nebraska's sweet spot

Furnas ranks in the middle tier of Nebraska's 93 counties with a score of 67.1, about 4 points below the state average of 71.2. The county holds its own in Nebraska's competitive livability landscape.

Affordability and health lead the way

Furnas County shines brightest in cost (83.1), with median home values of just $91,800 and rent at $805 per month—among Nebraska's most affordable. Health outcomes also score strongly at 72.6, suggesting residents enjoy solid wellness metrics.

Income growth lags significantly behind

The county's income score of just 23.0 is its weakest dimension, with a median household income of $60,625—well below state norms. Risk factors (48.1) also warrant attention, indicating economic or environmental exposures that could affect long-term stability.

Best for budget-conscious rural families

Furnas County suits families and retirees who prioritize affordable living and aren't dependent on high local incomes. Expect a tight-knit rural community where your dollar stretches further, though career advancement opportunities may require commuting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.5Cost83.1SafetyComing SoonHealth72.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome23Risk48.1WaterComing Soon
🏛61.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤72.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡48.1
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 Furnas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Elbert County
Georgia
67.1
Median income: $49,727
Wayne County
Illinois
67.1
Median income: $53,107
Monroe County
Indiana
67.1
Median income: $63,372
Warren County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $92,990
Webster County
Iowa
67.1
Median income: $68,054

Deep Dives

Furnas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Furnas County

via TaxByCounty

Furnas taxes rank low nationally

At 1.45%, Furnas County's effective tax rate sits well below the national median of 2.44%, placing it in the bottom half of U.S. counties for property tax burden. The median property tax here is just $1,330 annually—half the national median of $2,690—despite having homes valued well below the U.S. average.

Above average for Nebraska

Furnas County's 1.449% rate slightly exceeds Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, ranking it in the upper middle tier among the state's 93 counties. While homeowners here pay less than the state median of $1,972 annually, the effective rate reflects above-average tax pressure by statewide standards.

Higher than nearby counties

Furnas County taxes exceed those in neighboring Garden County (1.18%) and Grant County (0.749%), but fall short of Greeley County's 1.563% rate. Among the eight-county region examined, Furnas ranks solidly in the middle on effective tax rates.

What a typical home costs

A median home valued at $91,800 in Furnas County generates an estimated annual property tax of $1,330 for outright owners. With a mortgage, estimated taxes rise to $1,704 as lenders often require escrow payments.

Consider a property tax appeal

Many Nebraska homeowners across the region are assessed above fair market value and could recover money through formal appeals. If you believe your home's assessed value is too high, contact your county assessor's office—the process is free and requires no lawyer.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Furnas County

via CostByCounty

Furnas rents slightly higher than the nation

Furnas County residents spend 15.9% of their income on rent, slightly above the national average of 14.2%, stretching household budgets a bit tighter than typical American renters. The median household income here is $60,625—about 19% lower than the national median of $74,755—making that rent burden feel heavier.

Mid-range affordability in Nebraska

With a 15.9% rent-to-income ratio, Furnas County ranks in the middle tier of Nebraska counties for housing affordability. While not the most strained, it does exceed the state average of 14.2%, suggesting residents here face slightly tighter housing costs than their neighbors statewide.

Rents higher than nearby counties

Furnas County's median rent of $805 is noticeably higher than Greeley County ($643) to the north and approaches Gosper County ($797) to the south. This rent premium reflects Furnas's position as a slightly more developed regional hub, though incomes haven't kept pace with the higher housing costs.

Rent eats 15.9% of income here

At $60,625, the median household income supports a monthly rent of $805 and homeownership costs of $713 for a median home value of $91,800. Renters spend about $800 monthly—nearly 16% of gross income—while homeowners enjoy lower monthly costs, though purchasing requires managing that $91,800 entry price.

Consider Furnas for balanced rural living

If you're weighing rural Nebraska counties, Furnas offers moderate rent prices and affordable home values compared to larger state hubs, though incomes run 19% below the national average. Homebuyers will find reasonable ownership costs ($713/month), making it an option for those prioritizing affordable property over high earning potential.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Furnas County

via IncomeByCounty

Furnas lags behind national earning power

Furnas County's median household income of $60,625 falls $14,130 short of the national median of $74,755, placing the county in the lower half of U.S. earning benchmarks. This 19% gap reflects the economic realities of rural Nebraska, where agricultural and small-town employment often yields modest household earnings compared to national averages.

Below-average income for Nebraska

At $60,625, Furnas County ranks below Nebraska's state median of $66,880, trailing by about $6,255. The county's per capita income of $33,112 also falls short of the state average of $36,101, indicating modest earning potential across the population.

Struggling among regional peers

Furnas County's $60,625 median income is the second-lowest in its regional cluster, ahead only of Garden County ($44,777) but trailing Garfield County ($68,611) and Gosper County ($79,145). The county's income struggles are particularly apparent when compared to Gosper County, which earns nearly $19,000 more per household annually.

Housing costs remain manageable here

With a rent-to-income ratio of 15.9%, Furnas County residents spend a reasonable share of earnings on housing—below the national concern threshold of 28–30%. The median home value of $91,800 is affordable relative to median income, making homeownership achievable for many households.

Building financial security takes planning

In Furnas County, where median household income is $60,625, establishing an emergency fund and exploring retirement savings options early is essential. Even modest monthly contributions to a savings or investment account can compound significantly over time, helping households bridge the income gap and build long-term financial resilience.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Furnas County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy slightly below national norm

Furnas County residents live to an average of 77.0 years, slightly trailing the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 17.0% of the population reporting poor or fair health, the county mirrors national rates of chronic health challenges.

Middle of the pack within Nebraska

At 77.0 years, Furnas County trails Nebraska's state average of 77.5 years by half a year. The county ranks mid-state on health outcomes, with room for improvement in preventive care and chronic disease management.

Similar health to surrounding counties

Furnas County's life expectancy of 77.0 years closely matches Gage County (76.3) and Harlan County in the region. The county's primary care provider density of 109 per 100K is notably higher than Garden County (N/A) and Gosper County (55 per 100K).

Slightly higher uninsured rate concerns

At 8.5% uninsured, Furnas County edges slightly above Nebraska's 8.1% average, meaning roughly 1 in 12 residents lack health coverage. The county has solid primary care access with 109 providers per 100K, but mental health services remain limited at 66 per 100K.

Take action on health insurance now

If you're among Furnas County's uninsured residents, health coverage is within reach. Visit Healthcare.gov or contact a local navigator to explore Medicaid and Marketplace plans that fit your budget.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Furnas County

via RiskByCounty

Furnas sits above the national average

With a composite risk score of 51.88, Furnas County faces higher natural disaster risk than most U.S. counties and nearly double Nebraska's state average of 25.80. This relatively low rating reflects moderate exposure across multiple hazard types rather than dominance by any single threat.

Mid-range risk among Nebraska counties

Furnas ranks in the middle tier of Nebraska's 93 counties for composite risk. While it faces greater threats than the state median, it's significantly safer than Hall County and other east-central regions hit hardest by tornadoes and floods.

Riskier than western neighbors, safer than eastern

Furnas sits between low-risk Garden and Gosper counties to the west and higher-risk Harlan County to the east. Its 51.88 score reflects a transition zone where tornado and wildfire exposure begin rising compared to the panhandle.

Tornadoes and wildfires are your main threats

Tornado risk (37.18) is your leading hazard—well above the state baseline—followed by wildfire exposure (19.88). Flooding presents a secondary but notable concern at 18.83, so attention to both severe weather alerts and seasonal fire conditions is critical.

Prioritize wind and flood coverage

Given Furnas County's tornado risk, ensure your homeowner's policy includes comprehensive wind damage coverage and consider a separate flood policy for properties in flood-prone areas. A safe room or basement shelter will strengthen protection during severe thunderstorms.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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