CountyScore

Otoe County

Nebraska · NE

#56 in Nebraska
70.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Otoe County, Nebraska

Solid Performance Above National Median

Otoe County's composite score of 70.5 significantly exceeds the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper tier of American counties. The county demonstrates consistent livability across multiple measured dimensions.

Slightly Below State Average

Otoe scores 70.5 compared to Nebraska's 71.2 average, placing it near the middle of the state's county rankings. While marginally lower than the state norm, it remains competitive among Nebraska communities.

Higher Incomes and Strong Risk Profile

Otoe County stands out with a median household income of $81,430 (Income Score 36.5) and an exceptional Risk Score of 82.0, suggesting strong economic stability and low disaster risk. Health outcomes also score well at 76.4, contributing to overall quality of life.

Higher Housing Costs and Tax Burden

The county's Cost Score of 78.2 reflects higher housing expenses, with median home values at $185,000 and rent averaging $905 per month. An effective tax rate of 1.437% is also among Nebraska's higher burdens, constraining affordability.

Ideal for Higher-Earning Professionals

Otoe County appeals to professionals and established families with solid incomes seeking a blend of earning potential and stable living conditions. The higher home prices and taxes are balanced by better health infrastructure and lower disaster risk, making it attractive to those valuing long-term security.

Score breakdown

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

Tax61.9Cost78.2SafetyComing SoonHealth76.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.5Risk82WaterComing Soon
🏛61.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.2
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡82
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 Otoe County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Franklin County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $51,493
Lauderdale County
Alabama
70.5
Median income: $59,082
Holmes County
Florida
70.5
Median income: $48,236
Fayette County
Indiana
70.5
Median income: $56,659
Smith County
Kansas
70.5
Median income: $57,024

Deep Dives

Otoe County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Otoe County

via TaxByCounty

Otoe taxes track close to national median

Otoe County's median property tax of $2,658 nearly matches the national median of $2,690, putting homeowners here squarely in the middle of the national distribution. The county's effective rate of 1.437% sits above the national median rate, reflecting slightly higher tax pressure on residential properties.

Above average taxes for Nebraska

Otoe County ranks above Nebraska's state average effective rate of 1.281%, with its 1.437% rate placing it among the higher-taxed counties statewide. At $2,658 in median property taxes, Otoe homeowners pay about 35% more than the state average of $1,972.

Steeper bills than most nearby counties

Otoe's 1.437% effective rate exceeds all measured neighboring counties—Pawnee (1.592%), Phelps (1.377%), Pierce (1.158%), and Platte (1.342%)—making it one of the region's higher-taxed areas. Only Pawnee County's rate is notably higher, though Pawnee's lower home values keep actual tax bills more affordable.

What a median Otoe home costs in taxes

A homeowner with a $185,000 property in Otoe County should expect roughly $2,658 in annual property taxes under the current 1.437% effective rate. With a mortgage, that bill rises to about $2,867; without one, it drops to $2,496.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Otoe County's above-average tax rate makes property tax appeals especially worthwhile—even a small reduction in assessed value translates to meaningful savings. Review recent comparable sales in your neighborhood; if your home's assessment exceeds market reality, Nebraska's appeal process offers a clear path to relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Otoe County

via CostByCounty

Otoe's rent burden sits just below state average

Otoe County renters spend 13.3% of their income on housing, slightly below Nebraska's 14.2% average and closer to the national affordability standard. With a median income of $81,430—above the national average of $74,755—households here have above-average earning power to manage housing costs.

Balanced affordability ranking in Nebraska

Otoe County ranks in the middle tier of Nebraska counties for rental affordability, with a 13.3% rent-to-income ratio that reflects moderate housing pressure. Its $905 monthly rent is notably higher than the state average of $783, though incomes are also proportionally stronger.

Higher rents, but stronger incomes balance it

Otoe's $905 median rent is the second-highest in this region, behind only Platte County ($867 rounded—actually $935 for owner costs), but its median household income of $81,430 is the highest here. This strong earning power helps offset the steeper housing costs.

Renters and owners split costs fairly evenly

Otoe households earn $81,430 annually and split nearly evenly between rental ($905/month) and ownership ($909/month) costs. Both renter and homeowner housing burdens sit around 13%, leaving ample income for other priorities.

Otoe offers earning potential with moderate costs

If you're seeking a Nebraska county with strong job market signals (reflected in higher incomes) and reasonable housing affordability, Otoe delivers both. Your housing costs will be moderate relative to your earning power, especially for homeowners.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Otoe County

via IncomeByCounty

Otoe Outearns the National Average

Otoe County's median household income of $81,430 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by nearly $6,700, placing it in the top tier of American counties. This 8.9% advantage reflects robust local employment opportunities and wage levels above typical U.S. standards.

Nebraska's Top Income Earners

Otoe County ranks among Nebraska's wealthiest counties, with a median household income of $81,430 compared to the state average of $66,880—a difference of $14,550. The county's earning power significantly outpaces most of its 93 statewide peers.

Clear Income Leader in Region

Otoe County's $81,430 median household income substantially exceeds neighboring Pierce County ($75,938) and Nuckolls County ($70,201). Only Platte County ($72,335) approaches Otoe's earning levels, making it one of the region's most prosperous communities.

Income Supports Higher Home Values

Though Otoe County's rent-to-income ratio of 13.3% is slightly elevated for the county, the median home value of $185,000 remains achievable for most households with the county's strong income levels. Higher housing costs reflect desirable amenities and strong local demand rather than affordability strain.

Premier Earning Power for Wealth Building

Otoe County households benefit from above-average incomes that create substantial capacity for investment and savings beyond basic needs. Consider maximizing retirement contributions, diversifying into real estate, or building education funds—the county's strong income base makes aggressive wealth-building strategies viable.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Otoe County

via HealthByCounty

Otoe leads on longevity among peers

Otoe County residents live to 78.4 years on average, exceeding the national average of 78.9 years by a narrow margin. Despite strong life expectancy, 15.2% of residents report poor or fair health, a rate notably higher than the U.S. median of 13.7%.

Above-average life expectancy in Nebraska

At 78.4 years, Otoe County ranks above Nebraska's state average of 77.5 years, placing it in the upper tier of county health outcomes. The county's 7.3% uninsured rate is among the best in the state, falling below Nebraska's 8.1% average and improving access to routine care.

Strong mental health resources, fewer primary care providers

Otoe's 135 mental health providers per 100K residents exceeds most neighboring counties, supporting robust behavioral health access. However, primary care availability at 75 per 100K lags Nuckolls (123 per 100K), meaning residents may wait longer for routine appointments.

Low uninsured rate masks health disparities

Though only 7.3% of Otoe County residents lack insurance—better than state and national averages—15.2% still report poor or fair health. This suggests that insurance alone doesn't guarantee good health; underlying chronic diseases and limited primary care access play significant roles.

Keep your coverage current in Otoe

Otoe County's strong health insurance enrollment means more residents have access to preventive care, but gaps remain for that 7.3% without coverage. Renew your plan during open enrollment or contact local providers to explore marketplace options designed for your income level.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Otoe County

via RiskByCounty

Otoe's low risk significantly beats national average

Otoe County's composite risk score of 18.00 ranks in the Very Low category, placing it well below the national average. This strong performance indicates residents face fewer natural disaster threats than the typical American county.

Among the safest in Nebraska

Otoe County's score of 18.00 ranks notably below Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it among the state's lowest-risk counties. This favorable position reflects balanced hazard exposure with no dominant catastrophic threats.

Lower risk than adjacent counties

Otoe County's 18.00 score sits below neighboring Pawnee County (3.85), though Pawnee holds the most exceptional safety rating in the region. Most surrounding counties score between 22 and 39, making Otoe one of the area's more favorable locations.

Wildfire and tornado dominate hazard profile

Wildfire risk scores notably high at 67.49, and tornado risk follows at 50.38, making these the two primary concerns in Otoe County. Flood risk (21.12) and earthquake risk (11.29) remain manageable, while hurricane risk is essentially zero.

Prioritize wind and fire insurance coverage

With wildfire and tornado risks significantly elevated relative to other hazards, ensure your homeowners policy provides adequate wind damage coverage and consider wildfire mitigation improvements. Check your deductibles and coverage limits to guarantee protection against these two main threats to your property.

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.