CountyScore

Garden County

Nebraska · NE

#32 in Nebraska
73.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Garden County, Nebraska

Garden ranks in top third nationwide

Garden County's composite score of 73.1 far exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 73rd percentile across all U.S. counties. This strong national standing reflects meaningful livability advantages.

Above average in Nebraska rankings

Garden County scores 73.1, placing it above Nebraska's state average of 71.2. The county ranks in the upper third of Nebraska's 93 counties, signaling better-than-typical state performance.

Tax efficiency and rare low-risk profile

Garden County stands out for its exceptionally low effective tax rate of 1.18% (score: 69.1) and exceptional risk management with a score of 97.2—among the state's best. Housing affordability also scores high at 87.5, with median rent at just $675 per month.

Income growth remains the weak link

Garden's income score of just 12.6 is one of Nebraska's lowest, with a median household income of only $44,777. This significant income lag means limited opportunities for wealth accumulation despite affordability advantages.

Perfect for minimal-expense retirees

Garden County is ideal for retirees and remote workers with fixed income who want maximum purchasing power and minimal financial risk. The combination of ultra-low taxes, rock-bottom housing costs, and exceptional risk mitigation makes it a haven for those whose income won't grow locally.

Score breakdown

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

Tax69.1Cost87.5SafetyComing SoonHealth70.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.6Risk97.2WaterComing Soon
🏛69.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡97.2
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 Garden County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Moffat County
Colorado
73.1
Median income: $70,975
Twiggs County
Georgia
73.1
Median income: $55,439
Benton County
Indiana
73.1
Median income: $61,811
Kiowa County
Kansas
73.1
Median income: $73,214
Owen County
Kentucky
73.1
Median income: $59,706

Deep Dives

Garden County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Garden County

via TaxByCounty

Garden has one of nation's lowest rates

Garden County's effective tax rate of 1.18% ranks among America's lowest, dramatically undercutting the national median of 2.44%. The median property tax of just $1,127 annually places Garden in the bottom quintile nationally for tax burden.

Below Nebraska's state average

At 1.18%, Garden County's effective rate falls below Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, placing it among the state's lower-tax counties. The median tax of $1,127 is substantially below the state median of $1,972, reflecting Garden's rural character and lower property values.

Among the lowest in the region

Garden County's 1.18% rate is the second-lowest among the eight counties examined, exceeded only by Grant County's 0.749%. This positions Garden as a tax-friendly environment compared to higher-rate neighbors like Greeley (1.563%) and Furnas (1.449%).

Minimal annual tax burden

A median home valued at $95,500 in Garden County generates an estimated annual property tax of just $1,127 for owners without mortgages. Even with a mortgage, estimated taxes remain modest at $1,159.

Appeal if assessed too high

Even in lower-tax Garden County, some homeowners face inflated assessments and can pursue free appeals through the assessor's office. A careful review of your assessed value against comparable sales may reveal opportunities to lower your tax bill further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Garden County

via CostByCounty

Garden County faces serious affordability pressure

Garden County's 18.1% rent-to-income ratio is the highest in this region and substantially exceeds the national average of 14.2%, placing severe stress on resident households. The median income of just $44,777—40% below the national median—makes Garden the most economically constrained county in this group.

Garden County ranks among Nebraska's least affordable

With an 18.1% rent-to-income ratio far above Nebraska's 14.2% state average, Garden County represents one of the state's most affordability-challenged areas. The combination of low incomes and relatively modest rental costs reveals an underlying wage issue rather than inflated housing prices.

Cheapest rents, lowest incomes in the region

Garden County offers the region's lowest median rent at $675, undercutting even Garfield County ($519), yet its $44,777 median income is dramatically lower than all neighbors. This creates a paradox where the cheapest rents consume the largest share of household budgets due to depressed wages.

Low rents offset by very low incomes

At $44,777 annually, the median household income in Garden County is strained by $675 in monthly rent and $583 in homeownership costs for properties valued at $95,500. Even with the region's lowest rents, housing consumes 18% of gross income—well above the sustainable threshold—due to the severe income deficit.

Garden offers rock-bottom costs, limited opportunity

Garden County appeals to retirees or remote workers seeking minimal housing expenses—rents and home values are the lowest in the region—but local employment prospects are severely limited. Consider Garden only if your income is portable or you're seeking maximum real estate affordability despite broader economic challenges.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Garden County

via IncomeByCounty

Garden faces significant income gap

Garden County's median household income of just $44,777 ranks far below the national median of $74,755—a troubling $30,000 gap representing 40% shortfall. This is among the lowest income levels in Nebraska, placing Garden in the national bottom tier for earning power and economic opportunity.

Lowest income county in this survey

At $44,777, Garden County ranks as the lowest-income county in this eight-county cluster, nearly $22,000 below Nebraska's state average of $66,880. The county's per capita income of $31,288 is the lowest in the group, indicating pervasive economic challenges across the population.

Significantly behind all neighboring counties

Garden County's $44,777 median household income trails every other county in its regional cluster, with the next-lowest being Greeley County at $58,894—a $14,000 gap. This isolation at the bottom suggests local economic headwinds including population loss, limited job diversity, and reduced earning opportunities.

Housing stress signals broader challenges

Garden County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.1% is the highest in the region, indicating that residents dedicate nearly one-fifth of income to housing alone. This elevated burden leaves limited resources for healthcare, food, savings, and other essentials, signaling economic vulnerability in the county.

Focus on income growth and cost control

Garden County households face real constraints at $44,777 median income, making aggressive cost control and income diversification critical strategies. Even small monthly savings, combined with exploring higher-wage job opportunities or skill-building programs, can gradually improve financial security and create pathways to wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Garden County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy below U.S. average

Garden County residents live to 76.6 years, about 2.3 years shorter than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. Nearly 1 in 5 residents (19.5%) report poor or fair health, the highest rate among these eight counties.

Highest poor health rate in state sample

Garden County's 19.5% poor/fair health rate stands well above Nebraska's median, signaling significant health challenges. The county's 76.6-year life expectancy also trails the state average of 77.5 years.

Struggling more than surrounding area

Garden County's 19.5% poor health rate far exceeds Furnas County (17.0%) and Gosper County (14.5%) nearby. Data on primary care providers is limited, but the county's 56 mental health providers per 100K trails better-resourced neighbors.

Limited provider data, but access concerns

Garden County's 8.4% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 8.1%, affecting healthcare access for roughly 280 residents. Primary care provider data is unavailable, but the high poor-health rate suggests residents may struggle to access needed care.

Health coverage can start your recovery

If you're uninsured in Garden County, comprehensive health insurance can connect you to preventive care and treatment. Visit Healthcare.gov or call a local health department to explore Medicaid and Marketplace options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Garden County

via RiskByCounty

Garden County is exceptionally safe

Garden County's composite risk score of 2.83 ranks among the lowest in the nation and is just 11% of Nebraska's state average of 25.80. This northwestern county enjoys minimal exposure to major natural disasters compared to almost every U.S. county.

One of Nebraska's safest counties overall

Garden ranks among the very safest counties in Nebraska, with a score well below even the state's low-risk average. Its minimal composite risk reflects low exposure across all major hazard categories from flooding to earthquakes.

Nearly tied with Grant for lowest risk

Garden County's risk profile mirrors neighboring Grant County (0.19) to the north, both occupying the safest tier in the state. This panhandle region experiences remarkably uniform low-hazard conditions across a broad area.

Wildfire is your only notable exposure

Wildfire risk (62.44) is your sole significant hazard, though even this reflects moderate rather than high danger. All other risks—flooding, tornadoes, and earthquakes—remain near negligible levels.

Focus on wildfire preparedness

While Garden County's overall risk is very low, maintaining defensible space around your home and ensuring standard homeowner's coverage will address your primary exposure. Most residents here face minimal need for specialized flood or earthquake insurance.

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.