Nuckolls County

Nebraska · NE

#19 in Nebraska
74.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Nuckolls County, Nebraska

Well Above National Average

Nuckolls County scores 74.1 out of 100, substantially outpacing the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the top half of American counties, indicating strong overall livability across measured dimensions.

Nebraska's Best Performers

At 74.1, Nuckolls ranks above Nebraska's state average of 71.2, putting it among the state's more livable counties. The county holds its own against some of the state's strongest performers.

Affordability and Stability Shine

Nuckolls excels in housing affordability with a Cost Score of 89.5, where median home values sit at just $90,900 and gross rent averages $616 per month. The county also demonstrates strong risk resilience at 77.6 and solid health outcomes at 75.1.

Income Levels Lag Behind

The Income Score of 29.2 reflects a significant weakness, with median household income at $70,201—notably below state and national benchmarks. While affordability partially offsets this, income growth remains the county's primary livability constraint.

Perfect for Budget-Conscious Families

Nuckolls County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and financial stability over high earning potential. Its combination of affordable homes, modest taxes at 1.28%, and reasonable health infrastructure makes it ideal for those seeking rural simplicity and economic predictability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.3Cost89.5SafetyComing SoonHealth75.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome29.2Risk77.6WaterComing Soon
🏛66.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠89.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼29.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
77.6
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Nuckolls County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Nuckolls County

via TaxByCounty

Nuckolls taxes well below national norm

Nuckolls County's effective tax rate of 1.28% sits comfortably below the national median effective rate of roughly 0.8%, placing the county in the middle range nationally. Homeowners here pay a median of $1,164 annually—less than half the national median property tax of $2,690—largely because homes are valued significantly lower than the U.S. average.

Right in line with Nebraska's typical rate

At 1.28% effective rate, Nuckolls County matches Nebraska's state average of 1.281% almost exactly, making it neither a tax burden nor a bargain within the state. The county's median tax bill of $1,164 runs well below the state average of $1,972, reflecting the area's lower property values rather than preferential tax treatment.

Competitive with surrounding rural counties

Nuckolls' 1.28% rate is the lowest among its closest neighbors, beating Pawnee County (1.592%) and Perkins County (1.014%), though slightly higher than Polk County (0.983%). The county's median home value of $90,900 is among the most affordable in the region, keeping tax bills modest despite rates near the state average.

Annual taxes on typical Nuckolls home

A homeowner with a median-valued property in Nuckolls County paying $90,900 should expect to pay around $1,164 annually in property taxes at the current 1.28% effective rate. With mortgage, that bill may rise slightly to $1,270; without a mortgage, it drops to $1,116.

Check if your assessment is fair

Many Nebraska homeowners discover their properties are assessed above market value, opening a path to lower tax bills through appeals. If you believe your home's assessed value doesn't match recent sales in your neighborhood, filing a property tax appeal could reduce your annual liability.

Cost of Living in Nuckolls County

via CostByCounty

Nuckolls beats the national affordability test

Renters in Nuckolls County spend just 10.5% of their income on rent, well below the national benchmark of 14.2% and significantly better than the state average. This means households here have more money left over for other essentials compared to most Americans.

Most affordable renting in Nebraska

Nuckolls County ranks among Nebraska's most affordable counties for renters, with a 10.5% rent-to-income ratio—the best in this eight-county comparison. At just $616 monthly, median rent is $167 cheaper than the state average of $783.

Cheap rent, competitive home prices

Nuckolls' $616 median rent is the lowest in this region, matching Pawnee County but beating Pierce County ($850) and Platte County ($867). Home values at $90,900 are also the most affordable, making this county attractive for both renters and first-time buyers.

Housing takes a small bite here

The typical Nuckolls household earns $70,201 annually and spends $616 on rent or $530 on mortgage payments—leaving substantial income for savings and living expenses. Renters dedicate 10.5% of earnings to housing, while homeowners spend about 9%, both well below regional and national norms.

Consider Nuckolls for budget-friendly living

If affordable housing is your priority, Nuckolls County offers the lowest rents and home values in this comparison while maintaining a solid median household income of $70,201. This combination makes it an excellent option for renters, first-time homebuyers, and anyone seeking maximum housing affordability.

Income & Jobs in Nuckolls County

via IncomeByCounty

Nuckolls Keeps Pace With Nation

Nuckolls County's median household income of $70,201 sits just shy of the national median of $74,755, putting it within striking distance of typical American earnings. While the county falls about 6% below the national figure, it demonstrates solid middle-class stability across its households.

Above Average in Nebraska

At $70,201, Nuckolls County's median household income outperforms Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by nearly $3,300. The county ranks solidly in the upper half of Nebraska's 93 counties, reflecting stronger earning power than most of its peers statewide.

Strong Showing Among Regional Peers

Nuckolls County edges out neighboring Perkins County ($67,500) and stands well ahead of Pawnee County ($54,926). Its income level aligns closely with fellow rural central Nebraska counties, positioning it as one of the more economically stable areas in the region.

Housing Costs Remain Very Affordable

With a rent-to-income ratio of just 10.5%, Nuckolls County residents spend well below the recommended 30% threshold for housing affordability. A median home value of $90,900 means homeownership remains accessible for most households, leaving room in the budget for savings and other needs.

Build on Your Strong Foundation

Nuckolls County households have favorable conditions to invest in retirement and long-term wealth building, given affordable housing costs. Financial advisors recommend directing the savings from low housing burden toward 401(k) plans, IRAs, or education investments to compound growth over time.

Health in Nuckolls County

via HealthByCounty

Nuckolls slightly trails national life expectancy

At 77.2 years, Nuckolls County residents live slightly shorter lives than the U.S. average of 78.9 years. The county's 13.7% poor or fair health rate matches the national median, suggesting residents here face similar chronic disease challenges as Americans overall.

Below-average health outcomes in Nebraska

Nuckolls ranks below Nebraska's state average life expectancy of 77.5 years, placing it in the lower half of county performance statewide. At 9.0% uninsured, the county exceeds the state average of 8.1%, leaving more residents without regular healthcare access.

Better primary care than some rural peers

Nuckolls offers 123 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—well above neighboring Pawnee County's 39—and matches Perkins County's 106 per 100K. Mental health support at 122 providers per 100K trails the state's stronger-resourced counties like Platte (234 per 100K).

Nearly one in eleven lacks health insurance

Nine percent of Nuckolls County residents are uninsured, a rate that puts routine preventive care out of reach for about 1,800 people. With solid primary care availability but above-average uninsured rates, gaps in insurance coverage likely explain some of the county's health challenges.

Find affordable coverage in Nuckolls

If you're among the 9% of uninsured Nuckolls residents, enrollment periods open annually to access marketplace plans with federal subsidies. Contact your local health department or visit Healthcare.gov to explore coverage options that fit your budget and health needs.

Disaster Risk in Nuckolls County

via RiskByCounty

Nuckolls ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 22.46, Nuckolls County sits firmly in the Very Low category, performing better than the national average. This means residents face fewer natural disaster threats than most American counties, though some specific hazards still warrant attention.

Among Nebraska's safer counties

Nuckolls County scores below Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it in the lower half of risk among the state's 93 counties. This favorable position reflects relatively moderate hazard exposure across the board.

Safer than most surrounding areas

Neighboring Phelps County (39.15) and Polk County (25.70) face notably higher composite risks, while Nuckolls' score of 22.46 offers relative safety. Among nearby counties, only Perkins County (4.36) presents less overall risk.

Wildfire and tornado pose main threats

Wildfire risk scores 42.08 in Nuckolls County, substantially higher than the county's overall composite risk, making it the leading hazard concern. Tornado risk follows at 38.42, while flood and earthquake risks remain minimal at 10.62 and 7.22 respectively.

Prepare for wind and fire damage

Homeowners should prioritize wind damage coverage for tornadoes and consider wildfire-resistant building improvements given the elevated wildfire risk scores. Standard homeowners insurance covers wind damage, but reviewing your policy's limits and deductibles ensures adequate protection against these primary threats.

ByCounty Network

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