CountyScore

Gage County

Nebraska · NE

#74 in Nebraska
68.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Gage County, Nebraska

Gage ranks in top third nationally

Gage County's score of 68.1 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 68th percentile across all U.S. counties. This strong showing reflects above-average livability across multiple dimensions.

Solid middle performance in Nebraska

Gage County scores 68.1, placing it slightly below Nebraska's state average of 71.2. The county ranks in the center of the state's 93 counties, performing consistently across most livability measures.

Affordable housing and reasonable health

Gage excels in cost (81.8) with median rent at $770 per month and homes averaging $167,100, keeping housing accessible. Health outcomes score a solid 73.4, and the effective tax rate of 1.44% remains competitive.

Income and risk deserve closer look

Income scores just 25.4 with a median household income of $64,426, limiting wealth-building potential relative to higher-earning regions. Risk factors (59.5) suggest moderate vulnerability to economic or environmental pressures.

Ideal for cost-conscious professionals

Gage County appeals to workers seeking modest living costs without sacrificing health and tax benefits. With median home values of $167,100, it offers more substantial housing stock than some rural peers, making it suitable for growing families.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.8Cost81.8SafetyComing SoonHealth73.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.4Risk59.5WaterComing Soon
🏛61.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠81.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤73.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡59.5
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 Gage County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Calhoun County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $55,826
Dallas County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $36,810
Houston County
Alabama
68.1
Median income: $57,531
Pope County
Arkansas
68.1
Median income: $54,606
Summit County
Colorado
68.1
Median income: $106,255

Deep Dives

Gage County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Gage County

via TaxByCounty

Gage taxes remain below national median

Gage County's effective rate of 1.44% undercuts the national median of 2.44%, placing it solidly in the lower-tax tier nationally. The median property tax of $2,406 falls substantially below the national median of $2,690, even though local homes are valued closer to the U.S. average.

Slightly above Nebraska average

At 1.44%, Gage County's effective rate exceeds Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, ranking it in the upper-middle portion of the state's 93 counties. Residents pay $2,406 in median annual taxes, above the state median of $1,972, reflecting Gage's higher property values.

Mid-range within the region

Gage County's 1.44% rate sits between lower-tax counties like Garden (1.18%) and higher-tax counties like Greeley (1.563%). Among the eight-county comparison area, Gage represents a moderate tax environment.

Your annual tax estimate

Owners of median-valued homes at $167,100 pay approximately $2,406 in annual property taxes without a mortgage. Those with mortgages face estimated taxes of $2,530 as lenders typically collect escrow amounts.

Challenge your assessment if needed

Many Gage County homeowners are overassessed and entitled to free appeals through the county assessor's office. Reviewing your assessed value against recent market sales may reveal opportunities to reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Gage County

via CostByCounty

Gage rents track closely with nation

Gage County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio nearly matches the national standard of 14.2%, signaling affordability in line with the rest of America. With a median household income of $64,426—about 14% below the national median—residents manage housing costs without extraordinary strain.

Gage achieves above-average Nebraska affordability

At 14.3%, Gage County's rent-to-income ratio slightly exceeds Nebraska's 14.2% state average, placing it among the state's more affordable counties. This near-parity with the state benchmark reflects balanced housing costs relative to local incomes.

Moderate rents in south-central Nebraska

Gage County's median rent of $770 sits just below the state average of $783 and undercuts neighbors like Furnas County ($805) and Grant County ($883). The more affordable rental market here makes Gage an attractive option within the region for renters seeking reasonable prices.

Housing costs split between renting and buying

Gage's median income of $64,426 supports monthly rents of $770 and homeownership costs of $843 for properties valued at $167,100. Renters spend about 14% of income on housing, while homeowners pay closer to 16%—a trade-off reflecting the county's higher median home value compared to surrounding areas.

Gage balances affordability with home values

Relocators seeking a balance between affordable rents and real estate appreciation will find Gage County compelling—median home values reach $167,100, the highest in this region. The modest 14.3% rent burden and reasonable ownership costs make it accessible for both renters and first-time buyers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Gage County

via IncomeByCounty

Gage earns modestly below national benchmark

Gage County's median household income of $64,426 sits $10,329 below the national median of $74,755, representing a 13.8% shortfall. While this gap is smaller than many rural counties, Gage still falls short of national earning levels, reflecting typical patterns in agricultural and small-town Nebraska economies.

Slightly below Nebraska's average earnings

Gage County's $64,426 median household income trails Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by $2,454. The county's per capita income of $35,827 similarly falls just short of the state's $36,101 average, suggesting fairly typical earnings for a rural Nebraska county.

Middle-of-the-pack among nearby counties

Gage County's $64,426 income positions it in the middle range of its regional peers—ahead of Furnas County ($60,625) and Greeley County ($58,894), but behind Garfield County ($68,611) and Gosper County ($79,145). The county's $167,100 median home value is the second-highest in the cluster, reflecting local real estate strength.

Housing affordability is strong

Gage County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% is among the most favorable in its regional cluster, well below the 28–30% threshold indicating housing stress. The modest 14.3% burden means residents retain substantial income for other essential expenses and savings.

Leverage stable housing to build wealth

With strong housing affordability and a $167,100 median home value, Gage County residents can confidently pursue homeownership as a wealth-building strategy. Fixed-rate mortgages combined with modest property taxes create a stable platform for long-term financial growth alongside regular retirement contributions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Gage County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy trails national average

Gage County residents live to 76.3 years on average, about 2.6 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years. With 16.5% reporting poor or fair health, the county faces above-average chronic disease burden.

Among the lowest life expectancy in state

Gage County's 76.3-year life expectancy ranks near the bottom of Nebraska counties, trailing the state average of 77.5 years by 1.2 years. This gap signals persistent health challenges that demand attention.

Health outcomes lag nearby Furnas County

Gage County's 76.3-year life expectancy falls below neighboring Furnas County (77.0) and trails the stronger performance of Greeley County (81.2). However, Gage excels in mental health provider access with 190 per 100K, nearly triple the state median.

Better uninsured rate, but fewer doctors

Gage County's 7.4% uninsured rate beats the state average of 8.1%, a positive sign for healthcare access. Yet primary care is stretched thin at just 74 providers per 100K—far below Furnas County's 109.

Secure coverage to improve health outcomes

Most Gage County residents have insurance, but the uninsured still face barriers to preventive care. Explore options at Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to find a plan that works for you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Gage County

via RiskByCounty

Gage's risk remains well below national norms

Gage County's composite risk score of 40.55 places it in the very low category nationally, despite running 57% higher than Nebraska's state average of 25.80. This southeastern county avoids the extreme hazard concentrations seen in more disaster-prone U.S. regions.

Safest in its region among Nebraska peers

Gage ranks as one of Nebraska's safer counties overall, though its tornado and wildfire scores are notable within the state context. Its very low rating reflects relatively balanced risk distribution without any single dominant natural hazard.

Moderate hazards in a stable region

Gage sits alongside similarly low-risk neighbors like Johnson and Otoe counties in southeastern Nebraska. Its 40.55 score is slightly elevated by wildfire (78.94) and tornado exposure (78.40), both above state averages but manageable with proper preparation.

Wildfire and tornado demand attention

Wildfire risk (78.94) and tornado risk (78.40) are your primary concerns, both significantly elevated compared to the state baseline. Flood risk (32.44) rounds out your exposure profile, making this a county where diverse hazard awareness is important.

Cover tornadoes, wildfires, and floods

Your homeowner's policy should include wind damage coverage for tornadoes and a separate flood insurance policy to manage inundation risk. Defensible space around your home—clearing brush and dead trees—reduces wildfire vulnerability even in lower-ignition-frequency areas.

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.