countyscore
38.8
County Score
Water Quality 86Schools 59.2Soil Quality 57

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Nebraska

A Challenging National Comparison

Lincoln County carries a composite score of 39.1, placing it below the national median of 50.0. It struggles to compete with national averages across safety and cost metrics.

Below the Nebraska State Average

The county ranks lower than the Nebraska state average of 59.3. Higher local costs and lower safety ratings differentiate it from more stable neighboring counties.

Great Water and Solid Schools

Reliable water quality (86.0) and decent schools (59.2) provide a solid foundation for families. The median household income of $64,342 offers a middle-ground economic experience.

Public Safety and Tax Pressures

Public safety is a notable concern with a score of 18.2, while a high tax burden (13.8) further impacts residents. The effective tax rate of 1.477% is relatively high for the region.

Suited for Infrastructure-Focused Residents

Lincoln County suits residents who need the amenities of a larger hub and value quality water and education. It is best for those who can navigate the trade-offs of urban safety and fiscal costs.

20406080100124018.255.359.248.451.48637.8Tax12Cost40Safety18.2Health55.3Schools59.2Income48.4Risk51.4Water86Weather37.838.8/100
This county
National avg
1 above average3 below average

Lincoln County DNA

Foverall

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

Lincoln County falls below the national average in most categories. The biggest gap is in Property Tax (12/100), though Water Quality (86/100) remains a relative bright spot.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
12-40
Cost
40-8
Safety
18.2-36.8
Health
55.3
Schools
59.2
Income
48.4
Risk
51.4
Water
86+28
Weather
37.8-18.200000000000003
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Lincoln County?

Many homeowners in Lincoln 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

$189,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$900/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$189,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$36,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,148/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

5.9

per 100K

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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Counties with similar scores

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Midland County
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Worth County
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Nearby counties

McPherson County
Nebraska
66.5
Logan County
Nebraska
69.1
Hayes County
Nebraska
69.1
Frontier County
Nebraska
64.1
Keith County
Nebraska
52.6
Perkins County
Nebraska
58
Dawson County
Nebraska
46.8
Thomas County
Nebraska
76.5

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln County taxes above national average

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln County Below National Income Average

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lincoln County

via CrimeByCounty

Lincoln County Crime Stays Below National Marks

Lincoln County reports a total crime rate of 2,174.8 per 100,000, which is slightly below the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a safety score of 96.6.

Local Statistics vs. Nebraska Averages

Its safety score of 96.6 is lower than the Nebraska average of 99.0. The total crime rate of 2,174.8 is significantly higher than the state average of 626.7.

Regional Activity vs. Neighboring Counties

Lincoln County reports more incidents than nearby Kimball County, which sits at 736.4. It serves as a regional hub with higher activity than its more rural neighbors.

Understanding Violent and Property Crime Risks

Property crime drives the statistics here, with 2,024.2 incidents per 100,000 people. Violent crime remains lower than the national average, occurring at a rate of 150.6.

Focusing on Property Security

With property crime tracking close to national levels, home security is a priority. Robust locks and well-lit entryways can help residents avoid becoming part of the local theft statistics.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lincoln County

via WeatherByCounty

A dry, temperate environment

Lincoln County averages 49.5°F, placing it below the national median temperature. It features the low humidity and wide temperature ranges of the Great Plains.

Drier than the Nebraska norm

The county's 21.2 inches of precipitation is lower than the state average of 25.9 inches. Its 49.5°F average temperature almost perfectly matches the state norm of 49.7°F.

Wetter than its western neighbors

Lincoln is wetter than Keith County, which receives 19.9 inches of rain. However, it receives much less snow than Kimball County's 40.7-inch average.

Heat waves and crisp winters

Residents experience 38 extreme heat days per year with a July average of 74.6°F. Snowfall averages 26.2 inches, occurring mostly between December and February.

Prepare for temperature swings

Versatile wardrobes are necessary to handle the 50-degree difference between winter and summer averages. The 38 extreme heat days require reliable cooling and hydration.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lincoln County

via SoilByCounty

Neutral Entisols in the Platte Valley

Lincoln County has an average pH of 7.02, making it slightly more alkaline than the national median but very close to the state average. The soil primarily consists of Entisols and holds a soil score of 57.0, which is near the state average of 58.9. This provides a reliable, neutral environment for a wide range of plant life.

Versatile Silt Loam Texture

The dominant texture is silt loam, characterized by 47.1% sand and 35.7% silt. This combination allows for both decent drainage and adequate nutrient retention, with 14.8% clay providing structure. It is a highly versatile soil that is easy to manage for both large-scale farming and small-scale gardening.

Healthy Organic Matter Levels

Lincoln County's organic matter content is 3.20%, which is very close to the Nebraska state average of 3.32%. Its available water capacity of 0.169 in/in is also nearly identical to the state average of 0.172. This consistency makes the county's soil predictable and generally fertile for local growers.

Well-Drained Hydrologic Group B

The soil is classified as well drained and falls into hydrologic group B, indicating a moderate infiltration rate. This is often considered the ideal drainage class for most plants, as it prevents root rot while keeping moisture accessible. It also provides a stable environment for building foundations and infrastructure.

Grow with Confidence in Zone 5b

Lincoln County is located in Hardiness Zone 5b, a region well-suited for traditional Midwestern crops and gardens. The silt loam soil is particularly good for root vegetables like carrots and potatoes that prefer fewer stones and balanced drainage. Start your planting season with confidence in these reliable, well-drained soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lincoln County

via LawnByCounty

A Steely Challenge in Lincoln County

Lincoln County scores a 43.4 on the lawn difficulty scale, indicating a tougher-than-average environment for homeowners. This score is over 10 points lower than the state average and trails the national median significantly. Located in Hardiness Zone 5b, the county requires focused effort to maintain healthy turf.

Dry Air and Sustained Summer Heat

Annual precipitation is just 21.2 inches, forcing homeowners to bridge a nearly 10-inch gap to reach ideal lawn moisture levels. The county experiences 38 extreme heat days, which can quickly brown out lawns that aren't properly hydrated. With 2,962 growing degree days, the growth rate is steady but limited by the semi-arid climate.

Healthy Silt Loams Provide a Boost

Lincoln County benefits from well-drained silt loam soils that offer a great medium for grass roots. A pH of 7.02 is virtually perfect, ensuring that whatever fertilizer you apply is fully utilized by the plants. With 47.1% sand and 14.8% clay, the soil provides a rare balance of drainage and stability for this part of the state.

Managing Widespread Dry Conditions

Drought is a major factor, with 100% of the county currently abnormally dry and 18.6% in severe drought. The region has struggled through 42 weeks of drought over the past year, emphasizing the need for water-wise gardening. Prioritize watering deeply once or twice a week rather than light daily sprinkling to build drought resilience.

Building a Climate-Ready Lawn

Heat-tolerant varieties like Tall Fescue or native Buffalograss are the smartest choices for local conditions. Aim to get your seeds in the ground after the May 4 frost, and be prepared for the first autumn freeze around October 9. With the right species and the county's excellent soil, a great lawn is possible even in dry years.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lincoln County's county score?
Lincoln County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 38.8 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 Lincoln County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Lincoln County ranks #87 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 Lincoln County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Lincoln County is $2,788, with an effective tax rate of 1.47%. This earns Lincoln County a tax score of 12/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lincoln County?
The median household income in Lincoln County, Nebraska is $65,148 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lincoln County earns an income score of 48.4/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lincoln County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Lincoln County scores 38.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #87 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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.