CountyScore

Pawnee County

Nebraska · NE

#54 in Nebraska
71.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Pawnee County, Nebraska

Holds Strong Against National Median

Pawnee County's score of 71.1 substantially exceeds the national median of 50.0, demonstrating above-average livability. The county ranks solidly in the upper half of American counties despite economic challenges.

Right at Nebraska's Average

At 71.1, Pawnee matches Nebraska's state average of 71.2 almost exactly, indicating typical performance relative to peer counties. This positions it as representative of Nebraska's overall livability profile.

Outstanding Disaster Resilience

Pawnee County's Risk Score of 96.2 is exceptional, indicating the lowest exposure to environmental hazards among measured counties. The county also offers excellent housing affordability with a Cost Score of 88.6, median home values of $74,800, and rent at $616 monthly.

Low Income and Health Concerns

The Income Score of just 19.2 reflects the county's struggle, with median household income at only $54,926—among Nebraska's lowest. Health Score of 70.3 also trails stronger-performing counties, pointing to healthcare access or quality issues.

Best for Resilient, Budget-First Households

Pawnee County suits retirees, remote workers, and low-income families who prioritize affordability and environmental safety above all. Its combination of rock-bottom housing costs and exceptional risk scores makes it ideal for those seeking economic survival and disaster resilience in a rural setting.

Score breakdown

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

Tax57.5Cost88.6SafetyComing SoonHealth70.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.2Risk96.2WaterComing Soon
🏛57.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤70.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡96.2
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 Pawnee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Autauga County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $69,841
Lawrence County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $60,040
Limestone County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $83,534
Lowndes County
Alabama
71.1
Median income: $35,160
North Slope Borough
Alaska
71.1
Median income: $86,313

Deep Dives

Pawnee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Pawnee County

via TaxByCounty

Pawnee's high rate, low values balance out

Pawnee County has the highest effective tax rate in its region at 1.592%, yet homeowners pay only $1,191 in median annual taxes—well below the national median of $2,690. This paradox reflects the county's very affordable homes, with a median value of just $74,800, making the rate less burdensome in dollar terms.

Highest-taxed county in Nebraska's sample

At 1.592%, Pawnee County's effective tax rate is the highest among all measured Nebraska counties, running 24% above the state average of 1.281%. Despite this steep rate, the county's low median home value keeps annual tax bills below the state average of $1,972.

Region's steepest rate on lowest values

Pawnee's 1.592% rate significantly exceeds all neighboring counties measured—Otoe (1.437%), Phelps (1.377%), Nuckolls (1.280%), and Perkins (1.014%). The county's median home value of $74,800 is the lowest in the region, meaning residents pay the highest percentage but often lower absolute dollars than wealthier neighbors.

Pawnee property taxes on median home

A homeowner with Pawnee County's median-valued $74,800 property pays approximately $1,191 annually in property taxes at the 1.592% effective rate. Depending on mortgage status, that bill ranges from $878 to $1,860.

Especially crucial to verify your assessment

With Pawnee County's notably high effective tax rate, even small errors in property assessment carry outsized financial consequences for homeowners. If your home's assessed value seems inflated compared to recent neighborhood sales, filing an appeal becomes even more valuable in reducing your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Pawnee County

via CostByCounty

Pawnee rents affordable, but income is lower

Pawnee County renters spend 13.5% of their income on housing, just slightly above Nebraska's state average of 14.2%. However, the median household income of $54,926 is significantly below the national average of $74,755, meaning housing affordability is relative to lower earnings.

Budget-friendly county with economic challenge

Pawnee ranks among Nebraska's most affordable counties for rent at 13.5% of income, but its median household income is the lowest in this eight-county comparison. The trade-off: cheap housing in a county facing economic pressures.

Cheapest rent, but income lags the region

Pawnee's $616 median rent ties Nuckolls as the lowest here, and both beat every other county in the comparison. Yet Pawnee's $54,926 median income trails all neighbors, meaning the affordability advantage is driven more by lower incomes than lower costs.

Affordability masks limited earning potential

Pawnee households earn just $54,926 annually and spend $616 on rent or $586 on mortgages—proportionally affordable at 13-14% of income. However, this lower earning power leaves less total income for savings, healthcare, and other expenses after housing is covered.

Pawnee suits seekers of true affordability

If rock-bottom housing costs are your goal, Pawnee's $616 rent and $74,800 median home values are unbeatable in this region. Be aware that lower housing costs reflect broader economic conditions; job opportunities and wages may be more limited than nearby counties.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Pawnee County

via IncomeByCounty

Pawnee Lags National Income Standards

Pawnee County's median household income of $54,926 falls significantly below the national median of $74,755, representing a gap of nearly $20,000 or 26.6%. The county faces income challenges that affect household financial capacity and long-term economic stability.

Among Nebraska's Lower-Income Counties

At $54,926, Pawnee County's median household income trails Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by $11,954, placing it in the lower quartile of Nebraska's 93 counties. Economic conditions here are notably tighter than most statewide peers.

Struggling Against Regional Benchmarks

Pawnee County's $54,926 income lags substantially behind all regional neighbors, including Otoe County ($81,430), Pierce County ($75,938), and Nuckolls County ($70,201). Even Perkins County ($67,500) earns nearly $12,600 more per household on average.

Housing Costs Stretch Limited Budgets

Pawnee County's 13.5% rent-to-income ratio is reasonable, but the lower absolute income of $54,926 limits household flexibility for other expenses. A median home value of $74,800 helps keep housing affordable, but overall income constraints make emergency savings and other goals challenging.

Strategic Financial Planning Matters Most

Pawnee County households should prioritize budgeting and building emergency reserves before pursuing aggressive investments. Starting small with employer 401(k) matching programs, automatic savings transfers, or community credit union services can help build wealth despite tighter income conditions.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Pawnee County

via HealthByCounty

Pawnee faces steepest health challenges

At 76.0 years, Pawnee County has the lowest life expectancy among Nebraska's profiled counties and falls significantly below the national average of 78.9 years. With 17.7% of residents reporting poor or fair health—the highest rate in this dataset—chronic disease burden weighs heavily on the community.

Lowest life expectancy in Nebraska sample

Pawnee trails Nebraska's state average life expectancy of 77.5 years by 1.5 years, ranking at the bottom of county health outcomes. Its 9.3% uninsured rate exceeds the state average, compounding challenges in accessing preventive and ongoing care.

Severe primary care provider shortage

Pawnee has just 39 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest of all profiled counties and well below neighboring Nuckolls's 123. Mental health provider data is unavailable for Pawnee, but the scarcity of primary care suggests behavioral health resources are similarly limited.

Critical gaps in rural healthcare access

With only 39 primary care providers per 100K and 9.3% uninsured, Pawnee County residents face a dual barrier: few doctors and limited ability to pay for visits. This combination leaves many managing health problems without regular checkups, likely contributing to the county's 17.7% poor or fair health rate.

Don't delay—get health insurance now

Nearly one in eleven Pawnee County residents are uninsured, a rate that can turn preventable health issues into emergencies. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore subsidized coverage, and ask your local clinic about sliding-scale fees if enrollment proves difficult.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Pawnee County

via RiskByCounty

Pawnee ranks among America's safest counties

With a composite risk score of just 3.85, Pawnee County sits in the Very Low category and far below the national average. This exceptional ranking means residents experience significantly fewer natural disaster threats than nearly all American counties.

Nebraska's lowest-risk county

Pawnee County's score of 3.85 is the lowest in Nebraska and dramatically below the state average of 25.80. This places Pawnee in a uniquely protected position within the state's natural disaster landscape.

Exceptional safety compared to surrounding area

Pawnee County's 3.85 score stands far below all neighboring counties, making it an outlier of safety in southeast Nebraska. The next-closest county, Perkins (4.36), is over 5 times higher in composite risk, and most area counties score 18 or above.

Wildfire is the primary hazard

Wildfire risk scores 78.91 in Pawnee County, making it by far the dominant natural disaster concern despite the county's very low overall composite score. Tornado risk (28.21) remains modest, while flood (7.63), earthquake (5.79), and hurricane (0.00) risks are minimal.

Focus on wildfire protection measures

Given wildfire's disproportionate risk compared to other hazards, prioritize defensible space maintenance and fire-resistant building materials around your property. Standard homeowners insurance typically covers wildfire damage, but verify your policy's terms and consider additional coverage if you're in a heavily vegetated area.

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.