countyscore
52.2
County Score
Disaster Risk 92.5Water Quality 86Schools 69.8

County Report Card

About Kimball County, Nebraska

Slightly Above the National Median

Kimball County’s composite score of 52.3 is just above the national median of 50.0. It provides a standard level of livability compared to the broader United States.

Navigating State Average Challenges

The county falls below the Nebraska state average of 59.3. This gap is largely driven by a heavier tax burden compared to other high-performing Nebraska counties.

Excellent Resilience and Affordable Homes

Disaster resilience is a major asset with a Risk score of 92.5 and a Water score of 86.0. Real estate is accessible for many, with median home values staying low at $109,900.

High Taxes and Health Outcomes

The tax burden is the primary challenge, evidenced by a very low score of 6.4 and an effective rate of 1.733%. Health scores also lag at 45.9, suggesting room for better wellness services.

Suited for Budget-Conscious Homeowners

Kimball County is a fit for residents who want low-cost homeownership and high environmental safety. It appeals to those who can manage a higher tax rate in exchange for low entry prices.

204060801006.75868.745.969.82592.58634.1Tax6.7Cost58Safety68.7Health45.9Schools69.8Income25Risk92.5Water86Weather34.152.2/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Kimball County DNA

Foverall

How Kimball County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Kimball County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (92.5/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (6.7/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
6.7-45.3
Cost
58+10
Safety
68.7+13.700000000000003
Health
45.9
Schools
69.8+15.799999999999997
Income
25-26
Risk
92.5+45.5
Water
86+28
Weather
34.1-21.9
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Kimball County?

Many homeowners in Kimball County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$109,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$846/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$109,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,840/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $56,712/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Banner County
Nebraska
57.9
Cheyenne County
Nebraska
43.5
Logan County
Colorado
37.3
Laramie County
Wyoming
39.9
Scotts Bluff County
Nebraska
37.1
Morgan County
Colorado
38.2
Morrill County
Nebraska
56.6
Goshen County
Wyoming
52.6

Deep Dives

Kimball County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Kimball County

via TaxByCounty

Kimball County taxes highest in state

At 1.733%, Kimball County has Nebraska's highest effective property tax rate and exceeds the national median of 1.281% by 35%. This makes Kimball a notably expensive county for property owners despite modest home values in the panhandle.

Steepest property taxes in Nebraska

Kimball County's 1.733% rate stands approximately 35% above Nebraska's average of 1.281% and ranks first among all 93 counties. No other Nebraska county approaches Kimball's tax burden on residential properties.

Dramatically outpaces panhandle neighbors

Kimball County's 1.733% rate exceeds neighboring Cheyenne County (1.6%) and distant peers by significant margins. Within the panhandle region, Kimball stands as an outlier with the heaviest property tax load.

Median home costs $1,905 yearly

The median Kimball County home valued at $109,900 generates an annual property tax of $1,905. Homeowners with mortgages typically remit $2,203 when including escrow, reflecting the county's exceptional tax rate.

Appeal your assessment in high-tax county

In high-tax counties like Kimball, even small reductions in assessed value yield meaningful annual savings. Kimball County residents should verify their property assessments and consider filing appeals, which the county assessor handles without charge.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kimball County

via IncomeByCounty

Kimball County Significantly Below National Median

Kimball County's median household income of $59,438 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,317, placing it among the lowest-earning counties nationwide. Economic stagnation and rural outmigration characterize the region.

Second-Lowest Earner in Nebraska Sample

Kimball County's $59,438 median falls $7,442 below Nebraska's state average of $66,880, ranking near the bottom among profiled counties. Per capita income of $33,603 significantly underperforms the state average of $36,101.

Kimball Struggles with Regional Income Lag

Kimball County's $59,438 median places it second-lowest among eight counties, ahead only of Keith County ($58,132) and behind Johnson County ($59,457). Kearney County's $79,167 represents a 33% earnings premium.

High Housing-Cost Burden Emerging

Kimball County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest profiled, indicating tightening housing affordability despite a modest median home value of $109,900. Income growth lags housing cost inflation.

Strengthen Financial Foundations Intentionally

Kimball County residents should prioritize debt elimination and explore rural development grants or low-interest small-business loans to boost household income. Free financial literacy workshops through nonprofit organizations can unlock wealth-building strategies suited to limited resources.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Kimball County

via CrimeByCounty

Kimball County Stays Far Below National Rates

Kimball County’s total crime rate of 736.4 per 100,000 is less than one-third of the national average of 2,385.5. These figures support a solid safety score of 98.8.

A Comparison to Nebraska Safety Benchmarks

The county sits just below the Nebraska average safety score of 99.0. Its total crime rate of 736.4 is slightly higher than the state-wide average of 626.7.

Safer Than Neighboring Regional Hubs

Kimball is significantly safer than Lincoln County, where the crime rate reaches 2,174.8 per 100,000. It offers a quieter and more secure alternative to the more active counties in western Nebraska.

Breakdown of Violent and Property Incidents

Violent crime is notably low at 58.9 per 100,000, which is roughly six times lower than the national average. Property crime accounts for 677.5 incidents per 100,000, making it the most frequent offense.

Preventing Minor Property Offenses

Preventing property crime is the best way to improve Kimball's safety profile even further. Simple steps like outdoor lighting can reduce the likelihood of the minor thefts reported by local agencies.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Kimball County

via WeatherByCounty

High altitude and cool temps

Kimball County is quite cool compared to the national median, with an annual average of 45.4°F. This semi-arid region is defined by its high elevation and dry air.

Nebraska's cold and dry corner

Kimball is much cooler and drier than the state averages of 49.7°F and 25.9 inches. It averages only 16.3 inches of precipitation annually.

Snowier than its neighbors

Kimball receives 40.7 inches of snow, more than double the 20.0 inches seen in Keith County. It is also significantly drier than Lincoln County's 21.2 inches of rain.

Vast snowfall and mild summers

Winter is dominated by 40.7 inches of snow, while summer is relatively mild with a July average of 69.3°F. It sees only 30 days of extreme heat per year.

Snow gear is essential

A heavy-duty snowblower is a necessity for the 40.7 inches of annual snowfall. The dry 16.3-inch rain rate makes moisture-retaining soil additives vital for gardens.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Kimball County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline High Plains Soil

Kimball County's soil has a pH of 7.15, making it more alkaline than the national median of 6.5. The county receives a soil score of 46.3, reflecting the limitations of a high-altitude, semi-arid environment. These levels suggest that lime-hating plants like blueberries will struggle without significant soil amendments.

Sand and Silt Dominance

The soil is composed of 53.0% sand and 32.2% silt, with a clay fraction of 14.4%. This sandy-silt mix creates a porous environment that allows for good air circulation around plant roots. While it is easy to dig and plant, it may not hold onto fertilizers as effectively as heavier clay soils.

Challenges with Organic Matter

Organic matter in Kimball County is 1.88%, which is below the national average of 2.0% and the state average of 3.32%. Despite this, the available water capacity is a respectable 0.170 in/in, nearly matching the state average of 0.172. This suggests that the soil can still support growth if organic inputs are increased.

A Focus on Moisture Storage

Although specific drainage classes are not provided, the 0.170 in/in water capacity indicates the soil holds moisture better than its sand content might suggest. Proper management is needed to protect the thin layer of organic matter from erosion. Understanding local hydrology is key to sustainable farming in this high plains region.

Gardening in the High Plains Zone 5a

Kimball County's Zone 5a climate requires tough plants that can handle wind and alkaline soil. Think about planting hardy herbs like lavender or robust grains that can tap into the soil's moderate water capacity. Start a small test plot this season to see what thrives in your local microclimate.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Kimball County

via LawnByCounty

The State's Toughest Turf Test

Kimball County is one of the most difficult places in Nebraska to maintain a lawn, with a score of 32.0. This is far below both the state average (54.2) and the national median (50.0). In Hardiness Zone 5a, the combination of extreme dryness and a short growing season creates a high-stakes environment.

Arid Conditions and Late Frosts

With only 16.3 inches of annual rainfall, the county receives barely half of the ideal 30-50 inch range for turf. The growing season is compressed, beginning late after a May 25 spring frost and ending early on September 26. Just 2,044 growing degree days are available, meaning grass grows much more slowly here than elsewhere in the state.

Fast-Draining, Alkaline Soils

The soil contains 53% sand, causing what little moisture falls to drain away rapidly. A pH of 7.15 is slightly above the ideal range, which can occasionally lock out specific micronutrients like iron. Regular applications of organic compost can help lower pH slightly and improve the soil's ability to hold onto water.

Severe Drought Is the New Normal

A staggering 100% of Kimball County is currently in severe drought, having spent the entire last year (53 weeks) under drought conditions. Traditional lawns are extremely difficult to sustain under these circumstances without heavy, expensive irrigation. Residents should consider xeriscaping or choosing the most drought-hardy native grasses available.

Strategic Planting for Survival

Buffalograss and Blue Grama are the only practical choices for this extremely arid Zone 5a environment. You have a very narrow window to seed between the late May frost and the early September freeze. High-effort maintenance is required here, but selecting the right species makes success possible.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kimball County's county score?
Kimball County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 52.2 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Kimball County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Kimball County ranks #74 among all counties in Nebraska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Kimball County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Kimball County is $1,828, with an effective tax rate of 1.67%. This earns Kimball County a tax score of 6.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Kimball County?
The median household income in Kimball County, Nebraska is $56,712 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Kimball County earns an income score of 25/100 on CountyScore.
Is Kimball County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Kimball County scores 52.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #74 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Kimball County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Kimball County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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