Hitchcock County's composite score of 72.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 46%, demonstrating solid livability across rural America's standards. This strong showing reflects balanced performance in affordability and risk management.
2 / 5
Above-average performer statewide
At 72.9, Hitchcock County ranks in the upper third of Nebraska's 93 counties, posting 1.7 points above the state average of 71.2. The county maintains consistent performance across its available livability measures.
3 / 5
Outstanding housing costs and strong risk profile
Hitchcock County delivers impressive affordability with an 86.1 cost score, median rent of $715 per month, and median homes at $88,800. The county also demonstrates strong risk resilience (93.2), indicating solid protection against economic and environmental volatility.
4 / 5
Incomes and health care present real concerns
Hitchcock County's income score of just 17.3 reflects a median household income of only $52,016—the lowest in this group—severely limiting economic opportunity. Health outcomes also lag at 72.8, suggesting potential gaps in health care access or population wellness.
5 / 5
Best for fixed-income households seeking value
Hitchcock County suits retirees with stable pensions, remote workers, and families seeking maximum purchasing power in a low-stress rural setting. However, those concerned about local health care quality or needing solid employment opportunities should look elsewhere.
Hitchcock County's composite score of 72.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 46%, demonstrating solid livability across rural America's standards. This strong showing reflects balanced performance in affordability and risk management.
Above-average performer statewide
At 72.9, Hitchcock County ranks in the upper third of Nebraska's 93 counties, posting 1.7 points above the state average of 71.2. The county maintains consistent performance across its available livability measures.
Outstanding housing costs and strong risk profile
Hitchcock County delivers impressive affordability with an 86.1 cost score, median rent of $715 per month, and median homes at $88,800. The county also demonstrates strong risk resilience (93.2), indicating solid protection against economic and environmental volatility.
Incomes and health care present real concerns
Hitchcock County's income score of just 17.3 reflects a median household income of only $52,016—the lowest in this group—severely limiting economic opportunity. Health outcomes also lag at 72.8, suggesting potential gaps in health care access or population wellness.
Best for fixed-income households seeking value
Hitchcock County suits retirees with stable pensions, remote workers, and families seeking maximum purchasing power in a low-stress rural setting. However, those concerned about local health care quality or needing solid employment opportunities should look elsewhere.
Score breakdown
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🏛67.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
With an effective tax rate of 1.244%, Hitchcock County sits near the national median of 1.1%, around the 58th percentile. The median property tax of $1,105 represents less than half the national median of $2,690, largely due to lower rural property values.
Nebraska average, slight variation
Hitchcock County's 1.244% effective rate runs just below Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 93 counties. This represents a fairly typical tax burden for a rural Nebraska community.
Part of tightly clustered regional rates
Hitchcock County's 1.244% sits squarely within the regional pattern alongside Hayes County (1.267%), Harlan County (1.148%), and Holt County (1.139%). All four neighboring counties maintain rates within 0.13%, indicating consistent regional assessment standards.
Median home taxes $1,105 per year
On a median home value of $88,800, Hitchcock County homeowners pay approximately $1,105 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages face $1,379 due to how mortgage exemptions affect calculations.
Reassess your property's assessed value
Overassessment is common even in low-tax counties, particularly in rural areas where comparables are sparse. Filing an appeal is free and could identify significant assessment errors saving you hundreds.
Hitchcock County renters spend 16.5% of their income on housing—above both the national median household income baseline and Nebraska's state average of 14.2%. With the lowest median income in this county group at $52,016, housing costs put real pressure on household budgets.
One of Nebraska's least affordable counties
At 16.5%, Hitchcock County ranks among Nebraska's least affordable counties for renters, trailing the state average by 2.3 percentage points. Despite a median rent of $715—comparable to other rural counties—the combination of lower incomes and higher rents makes housing burdensome.
Pricier and less affordable than neighbors
Hitchcock County renters pay more ($715 per month) than those in Hooker County ($581) and face worse affordability than any neighboring county in this group. The 16.5% rent-to-income ratio significantly exceeds nearby Harlan (12.0%) and Hayes (8.3%), making it the region's most challenged market.
Housing costs strain Hitchcock incomes
A typical Hitchcock County renter earning $52,016 annually pays $715 per month in rent—a hefty 16.5% of their income. Homeowners face similar pressure with median monthly costs of $626 for properties worth $88,800, leaving limited financial flexibility.
Hitchcock County requires careful budgeting
If you're considering Hitchcock County, understand that housing costs consume a larger share of household income than most Nebraska counties. Compare this profile carefully with nearby Hayes, Hooker, and Harlan counties, which offer significantly better affordability and housing cost relief.
At $52,016, Hitchcock County's median household income trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $22,739—a stark 30.4 percent shortfall. This represents one of the steepest income gaps among rural Nebraska communities.
Among Nebraska's lowest-earning counties
Hitchcock County ranks in the bottom tier of Nebraska's 93 counties, with a median household income $14,864 below the state average of $66,880. The county's 22.2 percent deficit versus state norms reflects long-term economic headwinds in the rural southwest.
Slightly ahead of Hooker County only
Hitchcock County's $52,016 income exceeds only Hooker County ($45,854) among nearby counties, leaving it $8,297 behind the next-closest neighbor, Hayes County ($60,313). This positions Hitchcock among the region's most economically challenged communities.
Housing strain remains despite low home values
Hitchcock County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.5 percent sits notably above the national affordability threshold, meaning residents devote a sixth of income to housing costs. Though median home values of $88,800 seem low, they consume proportionally more of the county's modest household earnings.
Wealth building requires strategic planning
Hitchcock County residents must be intentional about financial growth despite income constraints; consider seeking free or low-cost financial counseling from USDA or nonprofit agencies. Focus on eliminating high-interest debt first, then building small emergency reserves before attempting investment.
Hitchcock County life expectancy significantly lags
At 75.6 years, Hitchcock County residents live nearly a year less than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, ranking among America's lowest life expectancies. With 16.6% reporting poor or fair health—well above the national 13.9%—the county faces serious health burdens.
Nebraska's lowest life expectancy county
Hitchcock County's 75.6-year life expectancy ranks as one of Nebraska's lowest, trailing the state average of 77.5 years by nearly two years. The county's 16.6% poor/fair health rate is among the state's worst, signaling concentrated health challenges.
Significantly behind all surrounding counties
Hitchcock County's 75.6-year life expectancy trails Hamilton County (78.9 years) by over three years and trails Harlan County (76.8 years) by more than a year. With only 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the region—access to healthcare is severely limited.
Limited doctors, critical uninsured gaps
At 7.3%, Hitchcock County's uninsured rate matches the state average but is below some neighbors—yet with only 39 primary care providers per 100K, even insured residents struggle to find care. The combination of provider scarcity and health burden creates a crisis of access.
Insurance alone isn't enough—get connected
While 92.7% of Hitchcock residents have insurance, that coverage means little without accessible providers. If you're uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov immediately; if insured, seek care early and ask about telehealth options to overcome geographic barriers.
Hitchcock County scores 6.84 on the composite risk scale, placing it far below the national median and in the Very Low risk category. All major hazards remain modest: tornado (24.55), wildfire (31.36), flood (5.69), and earthquake (4.58) each fall well short of the dangerous thresholds. This safety profile reflects the county's southern Nebraska location with favorable geography.
Among Nebraska's lowest-risk counties
Hitchcock County ranks in the safest quartile of Nebraska's 93 counties, with a composite score of just 6.84—less than one-quarter the state average of 25.80. Tornado risk of 24.55 is the highest exposure here, but remains below state average. The county's flood, earthquake, and overall disaster vulnerability are exceptionally low.
Safer than Hamilton and Harlan
Hitchcock County's composite risk of 6.84 is substantially lower than Hamilton County (42.62) and Harlan County (32.03) to the east, though slightly higher than Hayes County (1.24) to the west. Tornado risk of 24.55 is the lowest among this group, reflecting different storm patterns in southwestern Nebraska. The county's overall safety advantage is marked compared to its eastern neighbors.
Wildfire and tornado secondary concerns
Wildfire is the primary natural disaster risk at 31.36, followed by tornado at 24.55, both scoring below state averages. Flood risk (5.69) and earthquake risk (4.58) are negligible for most residents. Overall, Hitchcock County faces substantially lower hazard exposure than most of Nebraska.
Wildfire preparedness is key priority
Hitchcock County residents should maintain defensible space around homes by clearing brush and dead vegetation to minimize wildfire risk. Standard homeowners insurance is generally adequate given the low overall disaster risk, though wind/hail riders provide extra protection during severe weather. Develop a basic family emergency plan focusing on wildfire evacuation routes if you live in rural areas.