Keya Paha County's composite score of 76.4 surpasses the national median by 53%, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties. It represents one of the strongest livability profiles in this Nebraska cohort.
2 / 5
Nebraska's clear leader here
Keya Paha County scores 76.4, significantly outpacing Nebraska's state average of 71.2 and ranking highest among the eight counties profiled. It exemplifies Nebraska's livability strengths.
3 / 5
Exceptional health and risk profiles
Keya Paha County leads with a remarkable risk score of 98.6 and health score of 82.3, the strongest in this group. It also combines excellent tax efficiency (1.140% effective rate) with solid housing affordability at 84.4.
4 / 5
Low incomes offset other gains
Despite its strengths, Keya Paha's income score of 22.8 and median household income of $60,313 lag significantly behind national and regional targets. This reflects rural economic constraints despite overall quality of life.
5 / 5
Premier destination for rural seekers
Keya Paha County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and those prioritizing health, safety, and affordability over local job opportunities. It offers exceptional livability fundamentals in a genuinely low-stress environment.
Keya Paha County's composite score of 76.4 surpasses the national median by 53%, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. counties. It represents one of the strongest livability profiles in this Nebraska cohort.
Nebraska's clear leader here
Keya Paha County scores 76.4, significantly outpacing Nebraska's state average of 71.2 and ranking highest among the eight counties profiled. It exemplifies Nebraska's livability strengths.
Exceptional health and risk profiles
Keya Paha County leads with a remarkable risk score of 98.6 and health score of 82.3, the strongest in this group. It also combines excellent tax efficiency (1.140% effective rate) with solid housing affordability at 84.4.
Low incomes offset other gains
Despite its strengths, Keya Paha's income score of 22.8 and median household income of $60,313 lag significantly behind national and regional targets. This reflects rural economic constraints despite overall quality of life.
Premier destination for rural seekers
Keya Paha County is ideal for retirees, remote workers, and those prioritizing health, safety, and affordability over local job opportunities. It offers exceptional livability fundamentals in a genuinely low-stress environment.
Score breakdown
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🏛70.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.140%, Keya Paha County has the lowest effective property tax rate among Nebraska counties and sits well below the national median of 1.281%. The county's median property tax of $1,240 reflects the state's most affordable tax burden for homeowners.
Nebraska's most tax-friendly county
Keya Paha County's 1.140% effective rate stands approximately 11% below Nebraska's average of 1.281%, the best performance statewide. Only one or two Nebraska counties approach this rate, making Keya Paha a rare haven for tax-conscious residents.
Dramatically lower than surrounding counties
Keya Paha's 1.140% rate undercuts neighbors Boyd and Antelope by over 0.1 percentage points each. This substantial gap makes Keya Paha uniquely attractive within the rural north-central Nebraska region.
Median home costs just $1,240 yearly
The median Keya Paha County home valued at $108,800 incurs an annual property tax of only $1,240. With mortgage escrow, homeowners typically pay $2,079 total, though outright owners pay just $896—the lowest in Nebraska.
Even low assessments can be verified
Even in low-tax counties like Keya Paha, homeowners benefit from reviewing their assessment for accuracy and fairness. Filing a simple appeal request with the assessor costs nothing and may reveal errors that reduce your bill further.
Keya Paha County residents spend 17.3% of their income on rent—among the least affordable ratios in the nation. With median household income of $60,313 and median rent of $867, this rural county demands an outsized housing commitment.
Nebraska's rental affordability crisis county
Keya Paha County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks as one of Nebraska's least affordable for renters, far exceeding the state average of 14.2%. Limited rental supply and modest local incomes converge to create genuine affordability hardship.
Highest rents, middling incomes challenge renters
Keya Paha County's $867 monthly rent ranks highest among peers while incomes remain below average, creating the worst rent-to-income position regionally. This combination directly explains why local renters face the region's toughest affordability squeeze.
Keya Paha's housing dominates budgets
Renters pay $867 monthly while homeowners enjoy cheaper mortgages at $550 on homes valued at $108,800. This split reveals a rental market that strains incomes significantly while homeownership remains relatively affordable—a concerning gap for renters without assets.
Keya Paha requires intentional financial planning
Keya Paha County's high rents demand careful consideration: at 17.3% of income, renters here face genuine affordability stress despite low home values. If relocating, prioritize homeownership pathways or explore higher-income opportunities elsewhere in Nebraska before committing.
Keya Paha County's median household income of $60,313 falls $14,442 below the national median of $74,755, ranking it among lower-earning rural counties. This gap underscores economic challenges common to sparsely populated Great Plains regions.
Below Nebraska Average by Significant Margin
Keya Paha County earns $60,313 against Nebraska's state average of $66,880, a shortfall of $6,567 per household. The county's per capita income of $33,388 lags the state average of $36,101 by nearly $3,000.
Mid-Range Among Profiled Counties
Keya Paha County's $60,313 median places it in the middle band of eight-county comparison, between Lincoln County ($64,342) and Johnson County ($59,457). The county faces stiffer income competition from Kearney and Lancaster counties.
Rent-to-Income Ratio Signals Affordability Risk
Keya Paha County's 17.3% rent-to-income ratio is among the highest profiled, approaching the 20% caution threshold for housing stress. A median home value of $108,800 remains affordable, but limited income growth constrains wealth-building potential.
Strategic Savings and Community Resources
Keya Paha County residents should explore community development programs and credit union membership to access affordable financial services and investment guidance. Automating even modest monthly savings ($25–50) protects against income volatility and builds long-term security.
Life expectancy data for Keya Paha County is not publicly available, limiting full comparison to the national average of 76.4 years. However, 14.5% of residents report poor or fair health, which is slightly better than many national peers.
Data constraints, higher uninsured rates
While Keya Paha County's life expectancy remains unreported, its 9.4% uninsured rate exceeds Nebraska's state average of 8.1%, suggesting potential coverage challenges. The county's poor/fair health rate of 14.5% is relatively strong compared to state data, despite these barriers.
Rural isolation hampers access
Keya Paha County's provider data is not available, typical of very small, rural counties. With 9.4% uninsured and limited infrastructure data, residents likely face significant travel for specialized care compared to neighbors like Johnson County.
Coverage gaps in a small county
At 9.4% uninsured, Keya Paha County has the highest uninsured rate among regional peers, and provider data is not publicly available. Residents may face substantial barriers to accessing care due to geographic isolation and limited local healthcare infrastructure.
Don't delay on coverage
With a higher-than-average uninsured rate, getting covered is urgent for Keya Paha County residents. Reach out to Nebraska DHHS or visit healthcare.gov to find affordable insurance options and local health resources.
Keya Paha County scores just 1.46 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Very Low rating and representing one of the safest counties in the nation. Natural disaster exposure here is exceptionally minimal.
Nebraska's safest county
Keya Paha County's composite risk of 1.46 is dramatically lower than Nebraska's state average of 25.80—the lowest in the state by a significant margin. This exceptional safety reflects minimal exposure to major hazard types.
Compared to nearby counties
Keya Paha County's risk (1.46) is substantially lower than all neighboring counties, including Johnson County (4.58), Knox County (29.71), and Kimball County (7.57). It stands alone as the region's safest jurisdiction.
Your top natural hazards
Wildfire risk is Keya Paha County's only notable hazard at 62.69, though this remains moderate in absolute terms. Tornado risk (13.45) and flood risk (2.23) rank second and third but are quite minimal.
Insurance for peace of mind
Keya Paha County residents enjoy exceptional natural hazard protection, but wildfire insurance remains a sensible safeguard given the county's landscape. Standard homeowners policies typically exclude wildfire; a separate rider provides important coverage.