CountyScore

Nemaha County

Nebraska · NE

#62 in Nebraska
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Nemaha County, Nebraska

Nemaha County exceeds national standards

Nemaha County's composite score of 70.0 sits 40% above the national median of 50.0, confirming its above-average livability compared to U.S. counties overall. This positioning reflects solid affordability tempered by income and health constraints.

Slightly below Nebraska's average

Nemaha County's score of 70.0 trails the Nebraska state average of 71.2, placing it in the middle-to-lower tier of statewide performance. It represents a somewhat below-average Nebraska community relative to the state as a whole.

Affordability and environmental resilience stand out

Nemaha County delivers solid housing affordability with a median home value of $125,100, median rent of $727/month, and a cost score of 82.5. An outstanding environmental risk score of 86.6 indicates strong natural hazard resilience compared to peers.

Income and health outcomes lag behind

With a median household income of $60,132 and an income score of 22.6, Nemaha County offers limited high-wage opportunities. Health outcomes (70.8) rank among the lowest in this group, and an effective tax rate of 1.408% represents the highest tax burden among these counties.

For affordability-first seekers with caution

Nemaha County appeals to budget-conscious families and remote workers comfortable with modest wages and healthcare options. It's a reasonable pick if you prioritize environmental safety and rock-bottom costs over local job markets and robust health infrastructure.

Score breakdown

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

Tax62.7Cost82.5SafetyComing SoonHealth70.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.6Risk86.6WaterComing Soon
🏛62.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡86.6
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 Nemaha County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Nemaha County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nemaha County

via TaxByCounty

Nemaha's rate exceeds the national average

Nemaha County's effective tax rate of 1.408% ranks among the highest in the nation, placing it well above the national average. However, the median property tax of $1,761 remains below the national median of $2,690 due to Nemaha's lower median home value of $125,100.

Nemaha has Nebraska's highest tax rate

At 1.408%, Nemaha County boasts the highest effective tax rate of any county in this dataset, substantially exceeding Nebraska's state average of 1.281%. The median property tax of $1,761 is lower than some neighbors due to modest home values, but the effective rate signals higher tax burden.

Nemaha leads the region in tax rates

Nemaha County's 1.408% rate significantly exceeds all surrounding counties, including Madison County (1.336%) and Morrill County (1.297%). This makes Nemaha the highest-tax county in the region, a distinction that may concern budget-conscious homeowners.

Nemaha homeowners pay the highest rates here

On a median home value of $125,100, Nemaha County residents pay approximately $1,761 annually in property taxes. With mortgage-related assessments, costs reach $1,606; those owning homes outright pay around $1,867.

Appeals are especially valuable in Nemaha

Given Nemaha County's position as the highest-tax county in this dataset, homeowners should rigorously challenge any assessments that appear inflated relative to market value. A successful appeal could yield meaningful savings on already-elevated tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Nemaha County

via CostByCounty

Nemaha County rents put pressure on household budgets

Nemaha County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio sits above the national benchmark, signaling that residents here dedicate a larger-than-typical share of income to housing costs. The $727 monthly rent is moderate, but a $60,132 median household income well below the national average of $74,755 creates real affordability strain.

Nemaha edges above Nebraska's affordability average

At 14.5%, Nemaha County's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the state average of 14.2%, placing it slightly outside Nebraska's affordability sweet spot. Lower household incomes relative to housing costs mean residents experience more budget pressure than in most state counties.

Nemaha's rents are reasonable but income is tight

Nemaha County's $727 rent tracks with Logan ($725) and Morrill ($744), yet the county's $60,132 median income ranks among the region's lowest. This income-cost dynamic pushes Nemaha's affordability ratio above neighbors with similar rents but stronger paychecks.

Low income amplifies the burden of modest rents

Renters spend $727 monthly while homeowners pay $849, both consuming meaningful slices of the $60,132 median household income. At 14.5% of income going to rent, Nemaha County residents face tighter household budgets than most Nebraska neighbors.

Nemaha rewards relocators with stable income sources

Nemaha County's $125,100 median home values and $727 rents appeal to budget-conscious buyers, but renters should plan for the 14.5% rent burden. Compare Nemaha's affordability metrics to lower-cost neighbors like McPherson and Loup to ensure your income can sustain comfortable housing here.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Nemaha County

via IncomeByCounty

Nemaha County below U.S. income benchmark

Nemaha County's median household income of $60,132 falls approximately $14,620 below the national median of $74,755. This gap is consistent with rural Nebraska's economic profile, where household incomes typically lag metropolitan areas significantly.

Lower than Nebraska state average

At $60,132, Nemaha County's median household income trails Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by $6,748. The county ranks among the lower-earning counties in Nebraska, reflecting limited wage growth in the region.

Among the region's lower earners

Nemaha County's $60,132 income is comparable to Loup County ($60,156) and McPherson County ($61,316), but trails Nance ($65,438), Madison ($64,637), and Merrick ($62,849). The county faces similar economic pressures as other small rural communities in this cluster.

Manageable but notable housing burden

Nemaha County's 14.5% rent-to-income ratio indicates housing costs consume a meaningful portion of household budgets. With a median home value of $125,100, families should carefully plan homeownership to avoid stretching beyond financial comfort.

Start small, stay consistent with savings

Nemaha County's lower-than-average income requires disciplined financial planning to build meaningful wealth over time. Automate even modest monthly transfers to savings accounts and retirement vehicles—consistency compounds into substantial gains regardless of starting amount.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Nemaha County

via HealthByCounty

Nemaha County's Life Expectancy Gap

Nemaha County residents live to an average of 75.2 years, trailing Nebraska's state average of 77.5 years by 2.3 years. The county's 16.0% poor/fair health rate is among the highest in rural Nebraska, reflecting substantial wellness challenges.

Nemaha Ranks Below State Average

Nemaha County's 75.2-year life expectancy falls below Nebraska's 77.5-year average, indicating health disadvantages. Its 9.7% uninsured rate is the highest among counties examined, running 1.6 percentage points above the state average and suggesting meaningful coverage gaps.

Nemaha's Health Among Regional Peers

Nemaha County's 75.2-year life expectancy trails most neighbors, falling short of Madison (78.3), Merrick (77.4), and Morrill (74.0). Its 9.7% uninsured rate is the region's highest, indicating a significant barrier to healthcare access.

Strong Primary Care, Limited Mental Health

Nemaha County supports 85 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, the highest among counties examined, providing solid access to routine care. However, mental health providers number just 42 per 100,000, suggesting residents may struggle accessing behavioral health services.

Close Nemaha's Coverage Gap

Nemaha County's 9.7% uninsured rate is the region's highest, creating real barriers to care. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 immediately to explore Medicaid, subsidized plans, or other coverage options—good primary care access requires insurance to use it.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Nemaha County

via RiskByCounty

Nemaha County ranks among America's safest

Nemaha County's composite risk score of 13.39 places it in the Very Low category, substantially below the national average. The county benefits from a favorable natural hazard geography with minimal catastrophic exposure.

Nemaha County among Nebraska's safest

Nemaha County scores 13.39 against Nebraska's 25.80 state average, ranking among the state's lowest-risk counties. It outperforms roughly 90% of its state peers on composite risk.

Nemaha County safe, though not safest regionally

Nemaha County's 13.39 score is safer than Merrick County (42.94), Morrill County (27.83), and Nance County (21.66), but higher than McPherson County (0.13). It remains solidly in the low-risk tier.

Wildfire and tornado pose modest exposures

Nemaha County's wildfire risk (66.79) and tornado risk (49.11) represent its main hazards, though still moderate in national context. Earthquake risk (12.53) and flood risk (15.74) are minor concerns, with no meaningful hurricane exposure.

Standard coverage with wildfire consideration

Nemaha County homeowners should maintain comprehensive policies with attention to wildfire and tornado coverage, which represent the county's primary risks. Standard homeowners insurance typically provides adequate protection here.

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.