CountyScore

McPherson County

Nebraska · NE

#9 in Nebraska
78.3
County Score

County Report Card

About McPherson County, Nebraska

McPherson County well above average

McPherson County's composite score of 78.3 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 57%, placing it among America's more livable counties. This strong showing reflects exceptional affordability paired with solid health and safety metrics.

Among Nebraska's top performers

McPherson County ranks above the Nebraska state average of 71.2 with its score of 78.3, earning recognition as one of the state's most livable counties. It consistently outperforms typical Nebraska communities across multiple dimensions.

Rock-bottom costs and stellar safety

McPherson County delivers exceptional housing affordability with a median home value of $124,200, median rent of $653/month, and a cost score of 86.5. An outstanding environmental risk score of 99.9 and solid health outcomes (84.2) underscore its safety profile.

Income levels constrain opportunity

With a median household income of $61,316 and an income score of just 23.4, McPherson County lacks robust high-wage employment options. This income limitation is the main factor preventing an even higher livability ranking.

Excellent for cost-first families and retirees

McPherson County is ideal for families and retirees whose income comes from elsewhere or who live on fixed budgets, as it offers outstanding value on housing and taxes. You're trading local job opportunities for exceptional affordability and environmental safety.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax72.4Cost86.5SafetyComing SoonHealth84.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome23.4Risk99.9WaterComing Soon
🏛72.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼23.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99.9
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare McPherson County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cheyenne County
Colorado
78.3
Median income: $67,768
Cameron Parish
Louisiana
78.3
Median income: $72,500
Garfield County
Montana
78.3
Median income: $61,750
Floyd County
Virginia
78.3
Median income: $61,401
Garfield County
Washington
78.3
Median income: $62,411

Deep Dives

McPherson County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in McPherson County

via TaxByCounty

McPherson keeps taxes well below national median

McPherson County's effective tax rate of 1.063% falls comfortably below the national average, placing it in the lower tier of American counties. The median property tax of $1,320 represents less than half the national median of $2,690, despite a median home value of $124,200.

McPherson ranks mid-range for Nebraska taxes

At 1.063%, McPherson County's effective rate falls slightly below Nebraska's state average of 1.281%. The median property tax of $1,320 is substantially lower than the state median of $1,972, saving homeowners around $650 annually.

McPherson sits in the middle of the pack

McPherson County's 1.063% rate positions it between Loup County's tax-friendly 0.799% and Logan County's 1.002%. With a median property tax of $1,320, McPherson offers moderate tax burden compared to higher-tax counties like Madison (1.336%) and Nemaha (1.408%).

McPherson taxes are modest for rural Nebraska

On a median home value of $124,200, McPherson County homeowners pay approximately $1,320 in annual property taxes. With mortgage assessments included, costs reach $1,741; those owning homes outright pay closer to $800.

Review your assessment for potential refunds

Even in a relatively affordable county like McPherson, individual properties may be overassessed by local authorities. Homeowners who believe their assessment exceeds fair market value can file a no-cost appeal to challenge it.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in McPherson County

via CostByCounty

McPherson County keeps housing costs remarkably lean

McPherson County's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio sits comfortably below the national standard, thanks to the lowest monthly rent in the region at $653. Even though median household income ($61,316) falls short of the national average ($74,755), renters here enjoy exceptional affordability.

McPherson ranks among Nebraska's most affordable counties

At 12.8%, McPherson County's rent-to-income ratio beats the state average of 14.2%, placing it in Nebraska's affordability sweet spot. Modest wages are paired with some of the state's lowest rents, creating genuine housing security for residents.

McPherson and Loup compete for cheapest rents

McPherson County's $653 monthly rent is virtually identical to Loup County's $650, making both rural Nebraska's most affordable rental markets. Logan ($725), Merrick ($772), and Madison ($851) all command significantly higher rents, giving McPherson renters a clear advantage.

Owner costs are the county's real bargain

McPherson County's $653 rent and $680 monthly owner cost are both among the lowest in the state, consuming just 12.8% of the $61,316 median household income. This lean structure means residents have more income left for savings and other necessities.

McPherson delivers affordable housing for rural seekers

McPherson County offers one of Nebraska's best rent-to-income ratios and median home values of just $124,200, ideal for budget-conscious relocators. Cross-reference McPherson's numbers against neighboring counties to confirm whether this affordable corner of the state suits your needs.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in McPherson County

via IncomeByCounty

McPherson County significantly below national

McPherson County's median household income of $61,316 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly $13,440. This gap reflects the economic realities of rural Nebraska, where household earnings typically trail national averages.

Lower earnings than Nebraska average

At $61,316, McPherson County's median household income falls about $5,564 below Nebraska's state average of $66,880. The county ranks in the lower-middle segment of Nebraska counties by income.

Among the region's lower earners

McPherson County households earn less than Logan ($71,650), Madison ($64,637), and Nance ($65,438), but slightly more than Morrill ($59,773) and Loup ($60,156). The $11,534 spread between Logan and Morrill highlights income disparities across this rural cluster.

Housing remains affordable here

McPherson County's 12.8% rent-to-income ratio is among the lowest in the group, providing breathing room for household budgets. The median home value of $124,200 is also modest, making housing genuinely accessible for families in the county.

Leverage affordability into long-term gains

McPherson County's low housing costs relative to income create an opportunity to save aggressively for retirement and investments. Consult a financial advisor about automating savings—even small, consistent contributions build substantial wealth over 20–30 years.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in McPherson County

via HealthByCounty

McPherson County Health Challenges

McPherson County faces significant health headwinds, with 17.1% of residents reporting poor or fair health—among the highest rates in rural Nebraska. Life expectancy data for McPherson isn't available, but the high poor/fair health rate suggests potential longevity concerns.

McPherson Struggles With Health Perception

McPherson County's 17.1% poor/fair health rate ranks as one of Nebraska's highest, indicating substantial population health challenges. The county's 5.6% uninsured rate is better than the state average of 8.1%, suggesting insurance access isn't the primary barrier to care.

McPherson's Health Among Regional Peers

McPherson County's 17.1% poor/fair health rate is the highest among its neighbors, exceeding Logan (11.9%), Loup (13.8%), and Nance (15.5%) counties. Despite this health burden, its 5.6% uninsured rate is competitive, implying other factors beyond insurance are affecting health outcomes.

Provider Access Data Limited

Specific information on primary care and mental health provider density in McPherson County is currently unavailable. However, the county's good uninsured rate suggests residents who seek care have insurance to support access.

Strengthen Healthcare Access

McPherson County's 5.6% uninsured rate is solid, but ensure you're covered. If uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov or contact the Nebraska Department of Insurance for options tailored to your situation.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in McPherson County

via RiskByCounty

McPherson County: Nebraska's safest county

McPherson County's composite risk score of 0.13 represents the absolute lowest risk profile among all Nebraska counties profiled here. This exceptionally minimal score places it among America's safest communities for natural disasters.

The gold standard for Nebraska safety

McPherson County scores just 0.13 against Nebraska's 25.80 state average, making it roughly 200 times safer in composite terms. No other Nebraska county profiled here approaches its low-risk profile.

McPherson County dramatically outperforms region

McPherson County's 0.13 score is far below Logan County (0.22), Loup County (0.25), and every other neighboring county. It stands alone as the region's safest area.

Wildfire is the only modest concern

McPherson County's wildfire risk of 38.45 represents its only notable hazard, though still modest in national terms. Tornado risk (5.28), flood risk (0.32), and earthquake risk (0.70) are all minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance covers routine needs

Residents of McPherson County can rely on basic homeowners policies for adequate protection in this exceptionally safe environment. Annual policy reviews ensure coverage remains aligned with property value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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