countyscore
63.3
County Score
Safety 94.2Disaster Risk 78.4Schools 71

County Report Card

About Nance County, Nebraska

High National Livability Rank

Nance County posts a composite score of 63.3, which is significantly higher than the national median of 50.0. This indicates a high level of overall livability relative to the rest of the country.

Outperforming the Nebraska Average

The county also surpasses the Nebraska state average of 59.3. It maintains a strong position among the state's diverse rural and agricultural counties.

Secure and Financially Stable

Safety is a defining feature here with a score of 94.2. Residents also earn a respectable median household income of $65,438, resulting in an Income Score of 55.7.

Concerns Over Water and Taxes

Water quality is a pressing concern, as evidenced by a low Water Score of 14.1. The Tax Score of 25.8 also indicates a relatively high tax burden of 1.197%.

Ideal for Safety-First Residents

Nance County suits individuals who prioritize safety and moderate incomes in a rural setting. It is a good choice for those who can manage local water infrastructure needs.

2040608010025.865.994.260.77155.778.414.143.9Tax25.8Cost65.9Safety94.2Health60.7Schools71Income55.7Risk78.4Water14.1Weather43.963.3/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Nance County DNA

D+overall

How Nance County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Nance County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (94.2/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (14.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
25.8-26.2
Cost
65.9+17.900000000000006
Safety
94.2+39.2
Health
60.7+10.700000000000003
Schools
71+17
Income
55.7
Risk
78.4+31.400000000000006
Water
14.1-43.9
Weather
43.9-12.100000000000001
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Many homeowners in Nance County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$122,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$776/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$122,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$31,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.9x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,438/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

29.9

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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Nearby counties

Merrick County
Nebraska
64.9
Boone County
Nebraska
71.2
Polk County
Nebraska
68.3
Greeley County
Nebraska
64
Platte County
Nebraska
44
Howard County
Nebraska
65.4
Hamilton County
Nebraska
62.4
Hall County
Nebraska
35.5

Deep Dives

Nance County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Nance County

via TaxByCounty

Nance stays below the national tax burden

Nance County's effective tax rate of 1.197% sits below the national average, placing it in the lower-middle range of American counties. The median property tax of $1,470 represents just over half the national median of $2,690, reflecting Nance's median home value of $122,800.

Nance slightly exceeds Nebraska's average rate

At 1.197%, Nance County's effective rate edges slightly above Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, though the difference is modest. The median property tax of $1,470 falls well below Nebraska's $1,972 state median, providing relief relative to the state as a whole.

Nance mirrors nearby counties' tax burden

Nance County's 1.197% rate closely resembles Merrick County (1.172%), making these neighboring counties similarly positioned for tax burden. Both offer significantly lower rates than Madison County (1.336%) and higher rates than Loup County (0.799%).

Nance taxes remain modest for homeowners

On a median home value of $122,800, Nance County residents pay approximately $1,470 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, costs climb to $2,198; those owning homes outright pay around $1,157.

Appeals protect against overassessment

Nance County homeowners should verify their assessments match recent sales prices and market conditions in their neighborhoods. Filing an appeal when assessments seem high costs nothing and often results in reduced tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nance County

via CostByCounty

Nance County matches Nebraska's typical housing burden

Nance County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio precisely mirrors the Nebraska state average, indicating squarely middle-of-the-road affordability for its residents. The $776 monthly rent is typical for rural Nebraska, paired with a $65,438 median household income that edges below the national average of $74,755.

Nance sits exactly at Nebraska's affordability midline

At 14.2%, Nance County matches the state average rent-to-income ratio, making it a representative Nebraska county for housing affordability. This alignment suggests Nance experiences neither unusual advantage nor disadvantage compared to most peer communities.

Nance rents track with central Nebraska peers

Nance County's $776 rent is slightly pricier than Logan ($725) and McPherson ($653) but cheaper than Merrick ($772) and Madison ($851). The county occupies a stable middle position in the regional housing-cost spectrum, neither standout nor outlier.

Housing costs consume exactly state-average income share

Renters pay $776 monthly while homeowners pay $745, both consuming modest portions of the $65,438 median household income. At 14.2% of income devoted to rent, Nance County residents experience the typical housing-cost burden felt across Nebraska.

Nance provides stable, unremarkable affordability

Nance County presents a default Nebraska option—not dramatically cheaper or more expensive than peers, with $122,800 median home values reflecting the regional norm. Compare Nance's middle-of-the-road costs and incomes to more affordable neighbors like McPherson or pricier options like Madison to determine your best fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nance County

via IncomeByCounty

Nance County moderately below national income

Nance County's median household income of $65,438 falls about $9,320 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. While below the national average, the county's income level reflects moderate economic conditions relative to rural peers nationwide.

Close to Nebraska state average

At $65,438, Nance County's median household income sits just $1,442 below Nebraska's state average of $66,880. The county performs near the state midpoint, ranking in the middle tier of Nebraska counties by income.

Upper-middle earnings in the region

Nance County earns more than Loup ($60,156), McPherson ($61,316), Morrill ($59,773), and Merrick ($62,849), but trails Madison ($64,637) and significantly lags Logan ($71,650). The county ranks fourth in this seven-county cluster.

Reasonable housing affordability

Nance County's 14.2% rent-to-income ratio keeps housing costs within acceptable ranges for family budgets. At $122,800 median home value, the county offers solid homeownership accessibility for earnings at this level.

Build on near-average income foundation

Nance County's income near the state average and reasonable housing costs create opportunity for consistent wealth accumulation. Maximize contributions to retirement savings, establish an emergency fund covering 3–6 months of expenses, then explore diversified long-term investments.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Nance County

via CrimeByCounty

Exceptional Safety Records in Nance County

Nance County is exceptionally safe, posting a perfect 100.0 safety score and a tiny crime rate of 29.7 per 100,000. This is nearly negligible compared to the national average of 2,385.5.

Among the Safest Counties in Nebraska

Nance County ranks as one of the safest in the state, with its 100.0 score beating the Nebraska average of 99.0. Its crime rate of 29.7 is a small fraction of the state average of 626.7.

Quiet Jurisdictions Across the County

Nance County is one of the quietest jurisdictions in the region, with a crime rate far lower than the state average. Reporting from two agencies confirms that it is one of the most secure counties in Nebraska.

Virtually No Violent Crime Incidents

Violent crime is non-existent at 0.0 per 100,000, while property crime is extremely rare at just 29.7. This means a resident has a very low statistical chance of encountering crime in the county.

A Community-Wide Effort for Safety

Maintaining this high level of safety is a community effort. Residents can help by keeping an eye on each other’s property and reporting any unusual activity to local law enforcement.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Nance County

via SchoolsByCounty

Education Facilities in Nance County

Nance County maintains four public schools within two districts, serving a total population of 708 students. The infrastructure is evenly split with two elementary schools and two high schools.

High Graduation and Fair Spending

The county achieves a 90.0% graduation rate, outperforming the national average of 87.0%. Per-pupil spending of $10,771 is slightly above the state average, showing a healthy commitment to student resources.

Twin River and Fullerton Districts

Twin River Public Schools is the largest district, enrolling 409 students, while Fullerton Public Schools serves 299. The county does not host any charter schools, maintaining a traditional district structure.

Cozy Rural School Campuses

All schools are located in rural areas, with an average school size of 177 students. Twin River Elementary in Genoa is the largest school with 219 students, while Fullerton High School is the smallest with 135.

Quiet Rural Homes Near Schools

Nance County is an excellent option for families seeking above-average graduation rates in a rural setting. Homebuyers frequently prioritize proximity to the Twin River or Fullerton campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nance County

via RiskByCounty

Nance County maintains well-below-average risk

Nance County's composite risk score of 21.66 places it firmly in the Very Low category and below the national average. The county enjoys relatively benign natural hazard exposure compared to most American communities.

Nance County safer than Nebraska average

Nance County scores 21.66 against Nebraska's 25.80 state average, placing it among the lower-risk counties statewide. It ranks in the safer quartile of natural disaster risk across Nebraska.

Nance County low-risk, but not lowest

Nance County's 21.66 score is safer than Merrick County (42.94) and Morrill County (27.83), but higher than McPherson County (0.13) and Loup County (0.25). It represents solid, mid-low regional safety.

Tornado and wildfire are modest concerns

Nance County's tornado risk (34.89) and wildfire risk (42.84) represent its primary hazards, though both remain below state averages in many comparisons. Flood risk (14.09) and earthquake risk (4.48) are minimal.

Standard homeowners insurance with fire attention

Nance County residents should maintain comprehensive homeowners policies with adequate fire coverage given moderate wildfire exposure. Annual reviews ensure limits keep pace with property value growth.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Nance County

via WaterByCounty

Serious Drinking Water Violations

Nance County earns an F grade with 5 health violations recorded over the last five years. The violation rate of 213.5 per 100,000 residents is nearly double the Nebraska state average of 110.3. These figures highlight significant challenges for local water systems in meeting Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Watershed Health Better Than Average

In Nance County, 57.1% of the 7 assessed water bodies are impaired, which is better than the state average of 66.4%. The 2022 ATTAINS reporting cycle identifies E. coli as the leading cause of water quality failure. While surface water performs relatively well, over half of local sites still require attention.

Active Nutrient Tracking

Four monitoring sites have provided 2,289 measurements over the last five years, with a focus on physical and nutrient data. This surveillance is essential for identifying the source of E. coli impairments in the watershed. The data provides a roadmap for improving both surface and drinking water sources.

Loup River Flow Declining

The Loup River near Genoa is currently flowing at 287 cubic feet per second, which is only 34% of its long-term mean. This significantly low flow indicates drier than normal conditions for the region. Reduced river volume can lead to higher concentrations of pollutants and stress local ecosystems.

Urgent Water Safety Awareness

The high rate of drinking water violations (Grade F) suggests that residents should utilize certified filtration and closely monitor utility alerts. With the Loup River flowing at just 34% of its typical volume, pollutants like E. coli may become more concentrated. Regular testing for private well owners is strongly advised.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Nance County

via WeatherByCounty

Standard Four-Season Weather

Nance County averages 50.1°F annually, which is very close to both the Nebraska state average and the national median for this climate zone. This creates a standard four-season experience for residents.

Hitting the State Norms

Nance sits right at the state average for temperature but is slightly wetter than the norm. Its 27.4 inches of precipitation exceeds the Nebraska average of 25.9 inches.

Consistency in Central Nebraska

Nance closely mirrors Merrick County with a summer average of 72.5°F and similar precipitation levels. However, Nance sees slightly less snowfall at 26.4 inches per year.

Manageable Snow and Hot Julys

The July average reaches 74.5°F, and the county faces 30 days of extreme heat each year. Winters are manageable with a December-to-February average of 26.1°F and moderate snow.

Summer Service for Cooling

Standard winterization is key for the 26.4 inches of annual snow and cold winter nights. Residents should also plan for a month of 90°F heat by ensuring their cooling systems are serviced by June.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Nance County

via SoilByCounty

Mollisol Foundations in Nance County

Nance County’s soil is primarily composed of Mollisols, which are among the most productive agricultural soils in the world. The average pH is 6.82, slightly more alkaline than the national 6.5 median and the Nebraska 6.79 average. This near-neutral balance creates a welcoming environment for most garden vegetables.

Loamy Fine Sand with High Silt Content

The dominant texture is loamy fine sand, featuring 43.7% sand, 39.1% silt, and 16.4% clay. This nearly equal parts sand and silt mix provides a smooth workability that is rarely found in pure sand soils. The 16.4% clay provides enough 'glue' to help the soil hold its shape and retain nutrients.

Great Water Capacity with Base Fertility

Nance County boasts an available water capacity of 0.177 in/in, which is higher than the Nebraska state average of 0.172. Organic matter is exactly 2.00%, matching the national average but falling short of the state’s 3.32% benchmark. This high water capacity is a significant asset for sustaining crops during dry Nebraska spells.

Excessive Drainage in Group A Soils

The soil is classified as somewhat excessively drained and belongs to hydrologic group A, meaning it has high infiltration rates. This reduces the risk of flooding but means that fertilizers can leach into the groundwater if over-applied. It is a very stable soil for building foundations and other infrastructure.

Thriving in Zone 5b's Loamy Sand

The 5b hardiness zone and high water capacity make Nance County a great place for deep-rooted perennials and standard garden fare like tomatoes. Because the soil is somewhat excessively drained, you'll rarely worry about root rot. Start your seeds early and watch them flourish in these historic grassland soils.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Nance County

via LawnByCounty

A Standard Nebraska Lawn Experience

Nance County scores a 55.4 for lawn difficulty, making it slightly easier to manage than the national median. Zone 5b homeowners enjoy a climate that is representative of Nebraska's average growing conditions.

Steady Growth Potential

Lawns benefit from 27.4 inches of annual rain and 30 days of extreme heat, which align closely with state benchmarks. The 3,199 growing degree days provide a robust window for mowing and fertilization throughout the summer.

Porous Soils Require Attention

The 'somewhat excessively drained' loamy fine sand requires careful water management to prevent runoff and dehydration. With a pH of 6.82, the soil foundation is chemically balanced for high-quality turf growth.

Addressing Year-Round Dryness

After 33 weeks in drought over the past year, the county remains 100% abnormally dry. Focus on increasing the organic matter in your sandy soil to help your lawn survive these persistent dry spells.

Seeding for Peak Performance

Cool-season grasses like Kentucky Bluegrass thrive when established in the early spring. Plan your projects around the April 30th frost date to ensure the best chance for long-term success.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nance County's county score?
Nance County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 63.3 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 Nance County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Nance County ranks #41 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 Nance County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Nance County is $1,470, with an effective tax rate of 1.20%. This earns Nance County a tax score of 25.8/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Nance County?
The median household income in Nance County, Nebraska is $65,438 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Nance County earns an income score of 55.7/100 on CountyScore.
Is Nance County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Nance County scores 63.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #41 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Nance 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 Nance County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & 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.