Lincoln County's composite score of 65.0 tops the national median of 50.0 by 30%, demonstrating above-average livability. It ranks solidly within the upper-middle tier of American counties.
2 / 5
Below Nebraska's baseline
Lincoln County scores 65.0 compared to Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Among these eight counties, it ranks seventh.
3 / 5
Affordability with moderate income
Lincoln County offers reasonable housing costs with a score of 77.7 and median home value of $183,100. Its income score of 25.4 and median household income of $64,342 provide modest earning potential.
4 / 5
Risk and health need strengthening
Lincoln County's risk score of 51.4 is well below peers, suggesting notable exposure to hazards, while its health score of 70.1 is also lower than comparable counties. Tax burden at 1.477% is moderate but not exceptional.
5 / 5
Practical choice for pragmatists
Lincoln County works for practical families seeking moderate affordability and employment in a county with some livability trade-offs. It's best for those unfazed by environmental risks and focused on steadier income over perfect conditions.
Lincoln County's composite score of 65.0 tops the national median of 50.0 by 30%, demonstrating above-average livability. It ranks solidly within the upper-middle tier of American counties.
Below Nebraska's baseline
Lincoln County scores 65.0 compared to Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier statewide. Among these eight counties, it ranks seventh.
Affordability with moderate income
Lincoln County offers reasonable housing costs with a score of 77.7 and median home value of $183,100. Its income score of 25.4 and median household income of $64,342 provide modest earning potential.
Risk and health need strengthening
Lincoln County's risk score of 51.4 is well below peers, suggesting notable exposure to hazards, while its health score of 70.1 is also lower than comparable counties. Tax burden at 1.477% is moderate but not exceptional.
Practical choice for pragmatists
Lincoln County works for practical families seeking moderate affordability and employment in a county with some livability trade-offs. It's best for those unfazed by environmental risks and focused on steadier income over perfect conditions.
Score breakdown
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🏛60.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 1.477%, Lincoln County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.281% by about 15%. The median property tax of $2,704 closely matches the national median of $2,690, showing typical tax burden despite higher-than-average home values.
Upper-middle tier in Nebraska
Lincoln County's 1.477% effective rate ranks in the top third of Nebraska counties, approximately 15% above the state average of 1.281%. About 25-30 Nebraska counties impose higher property tax rates than Lincoln.
Moderate taxes for western Nebraska
Lincoln County's 1.477% rate falls between the higher-taxing Keith County (1.404%) and lower-taxing Dawson County (1.4%) in west-central Nebraska. This positions Lincoln as reasonably competitive within its regional peer group.
Median home costs $2,704 yearly
A median-valued Lincoln County home at $183,100 carries an annual property tax of $2,704. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $2,747 total, while outright owners pay $2,637, reflecting consistent tax obligations across ownership types.
Challenge inflated assessments in Lincoln County
Many Lincoln County homeowners don't realize their assessed values may exceed fair market prices, particularly in growing communities. Filing a free assessment appeal with the county assessor is a simple way to verify your valuation and potentially reduce annual taxes.
Lincoln County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio sits above national affordability comfort, with renters dedicating more than one of every six dollars to housing. At $867 monthly rent and $64,342 median household income, local residents experience meaningful affordability pressure.
Above Nebraska average in rental affordability burden
Lincoln County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds Nebraska's 14.2% state average, ranking it among the state's less affordable counties for renters. Rents of $867 rank second-highest regionally, straining incomes despite modest local earnings.
High rents with middle-tier income support
Lincoln County's $867 monthly rent ranks second-highest among peers while its $64,342 income sits in the regional middle, creating above-average affordability pressure. Only Lancaster County (at $1,045) charges more for rent, making Lincoln the second-costliest rental market here.
Lincoln County's dual housing cost structure
Renters pay $867 monthly while homeowners spend $992 on mortgages for homes valued at $183,100. Together, housing claims approximately 16% of household income—roughly $10,300 annually—placing significant weight on family budgets across both tenure types.
Lincoln County suits financially prepared relocators
Lincoln County's elevated rents ($867) and affordability burden (16.2%) require careful financial planning, though homes ($183,100) remain moderately priced. If relocating, ensure income stability and compare against lower-cost counties like Knox before committing to this market.
Lincoln County's median household income of $64,342 falls $10,413 below the national median of $74,755, reflecting rural economic constraints. The county maintains modest prosperity but lags broader U.S. income trends.
Below Nebraska State Average
Lincoln County earns $64,342 against Nebraska's state average of $66,880, trailing by $2,538 per household. Per capita income of $34,117 approaches but slightly underperforms the state average of $36,101.
Lincoln Mid-Tier Among County Earners
Lincoln County's $64,342 median ranks fifth among eight counties profiled, above lower-earning rural counties but below Lancaster and Kearney. Knox County ($64,821) barely edges Lincoln, reflecting comparable rural economic dynamics.
Housing Costs Consume Meaningful Income Share
Lincoln County's 16.2% rent-to-income ratio indicates housing affordability strain relative to limited median income, approaching the 20% caution threshold. A median home value of $183,100 requires disciplined household budgeting.
Build Wealth Through Consistent Discipline
Lincoln County residents should automate savings transfers to build emergency funds and explore employer retirement benefits maximizing tax advantages. Community credit unions and local financial institutions often offer wealth-building programs tailored to rural income levels.
At 75.2 years, Lincoln County's life expectancy falls 1.2 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years. With 19.4% of residents reporting poor or fair health—the highest among all counties reviewed—Lincoln County faces a significant chronic disease burden.
State's weakest life expectancy
Lincoln County's 75.2-year life expectancy trails Nebraska's state average of 77.5 by a troubling 2.3 years, the largest gap in the state. However, its 7.3% uninsured rate matches Lancaster County and beats the state average, suggesting coverage is not the primary barrier to health.
Poorest health despite decent providers
Lincoln County's 75.2-year life expectancy is the lowest in the entire region, and its 19.4% poor/fair health rate is the worst. Yet it has strong provider availability with 53 primary care and 315 mental health providers per 100K, suggesting that access alone does not explain the poor outcomes.
Coverage okay, but health outcomes crisis
Lincoln County's 7.3% uninsured rate is competitive, and provider availability is strong at 53 primary care and 315 mental health providers per 100K. The disconnect between infrastructure and outcomes suggests underlying social factors—poverty, education, or employment—driving worse health despite available care.
Start with coverage, plan for wellness
Lincoln County faces a health crisis that extends beyond insurance; coverage is the foundation. Ensure you and your family are insured through Nebraska's marketplace, then work with your provider on preventive care and chronic disease management.
Lincoln County scores 48.57 on the national composite risk scale, earning a Relatively Low rating and sitting above the national average. This reflects moderate-to-elevated exposure to multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes.
Higher-risk county in Nebraska
Lincoln County's composite risk of 48.57 significantly exceeds Nebraska's state average of 25.80, making it one of the more vulnerable counties in the state. Tornado and wildfire risks particularly contribute to this above-average profile.
Compared to nearby counties
Lincoln County's risk (48.57) is substantially higher than Keith County (13.77), Johnson County (4.58), and Kearney County (30.95), but notably lower than Lancaster County (90.74). It ranks second-most vulnerable among the counties in this region.
Your top natural hazards
Tornado risk is Lincoln County's most significant hazard at 62.79, followed closely by wildfire risk at 74.62. Flood risk (48.47) and earthquake risk (31.81) represent secondary concerns, creating a diverse hazard profile.
Insurance for peace of mind
Lincoln County residents should prioritize tornado and wildfire coverage, as both hazards pose notably elevated risk compared to state and national averages. Review your policy to ensure comprehensive protection; standard homeowners policies often exclude tornadoes and wildfires.