countyscore
62.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 96.2Cost of Living 90.3Water Quality 86

County Report Card

About Pawnee County, Nebraska

Solid Performance Above the Median

Pawnee County secures a 62.5 composite score, comfortably outperforming the national median of 50.0. This makes it a compelling option for those seeking a reliable American lifestyle.

A Respectable State Competitor

Scoring 62.5 puts Pawnee slightly ahead of the Nebraska state average of 59.3. It maintains a competitive edge over its neighbors through consistent performance across several categories.

Maximum Resilience and Low Costs

Resilience is a major asset here, with a near-perfect risk score of 96.2. Housing is also highly accessible, as reflected by a cost score of 90.3 and a median home value of $74,800.

High Taxes and Low Incomes

The county struggles with a tax score of 9.5 due to a high 1.592% effective tax rate. Economic opportunities are also limited, with an income score of 24.9 and a median income of $54,926.

Ideal for Budget-Conscious Renters

Pawnee County is best for those who own their jobs remotely or live on fixed incomes. While taxes are high, the rock-bottom housing costs and high safety scores provide a secure financial cushion.

204060801009.590.383.456.459.324.996.28643.8Tax9.5Cost90.3Safety83.4Health56.4Schools59.3Income24.9Risk96.2Water86Weather43.862.5/100
This county
National avg
4 above average3 below average

Pawnee County DNA

Doverall

How Pawnee County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Pawnee County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (96.2/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (9.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
9.5-42.5
Cost
90.3+42.3
Safety
83.4+28.400000000000006
Health
56.4
Schools
59.3
Income
24.9-26.1
Risk
96.2+49.2
Water
86+28
Weather
43.8-12.200000000000003
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Think property taxes are too high in Pawnee County?

Many homeowners in Pawnee County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$74,800

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$616/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$74,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$24,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.4x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $54,926/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

78.8

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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Counties with similar scores

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Pike County
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Nearby counties

Nemaha County
Kansas
72.2
Johnson County
Nebraska
62.9
Marshall County
Kansas
57.6
Gage County
Nebraska
51.4
Nemaha County
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Richardson County
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60
Brown County
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50.4
Otoe County
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49.3

Deep Dives

Pawnee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 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

Safety in Pawnee County

via CrimeByCounty

High safety rankings in Pawnee County

Pawnee County earns an impressive safety score of 99.4. Its total crime rate of 391.7 per 100,000 is about six times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Pawnee outperforms Nebraska state averages

The county’s crime rate of 391.7 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the Nebraska average of 626.7. Its safety score of 99.4 also beats the state's average score of 99.0.

A safer choice than neighboring Otoe

Pawnee County is considerably safer than Otoe County, where the crime rate reaches 1,119.1 per 100,000. Data from two reporting agencies confirm that Pawnee maintains a highly secure environment.

Violent crime is non-existent here

Pawnee County reports a violent crime rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents. All 391.7 reported incidents per 100,000 fall under property crime, which is still remarkably low compared to the US property rate of 2,015.7.

Securing your home from property theft

Since all reported local crimes are property-related, homeowners should focus on securing sheds and garages. Keeping valuables out of sight is an easy way to prevent opportunistic theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Pawnee County

via SchoolsByCounty

Four Schools Serving a Close Community

Pawnee County educates 445 students across four public schools and two districts. The system is comprised of two elementary schools and two high schools, ensuring local access to primary and secondary education.

Strong Local Investment in Every Student

The county invests $11,447 per pupil, which is nearly $1,000 more than the Nebraska state average. While the 85.3% graduation rate is currently below the national benchmark, the high funding levels reflect a commitment to educational improvement.

Pawnee City and Lewiston Districts

Pawnee City Public Schools is the larger of the two districts, serving 268 students. Lewiston Consolidated Schools manages the remaining two schools, which enroll a total of 177 students.

Personalized Rural Education

All schools in the county are rural, with an average school size of 111 students that allows for significant teacher-student interaction. Pawnee City Elementary is the largest school with 151 students, while Lewiston High School serves just 71 students.

Find Quiet Living Near Local Schools

If you value small class sizes and high per-pupil investment, Pawnee County districts are worth a closer look. Research local real estate to find a home that puts your children in these intimate learning environments.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

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

Water Quality in Pawnee County

via WaterByCounty

Pawnee County Earns Top Marks for Compliance

The county achieves a perfect 'A' grade with zero health violations reported in the Safe Drinking Water Act database. This 0.0 violation rate stands in sharp contrast to the state average of 110.3 per 100,000 people.

Full Impairment of All Assessed Water Bodies

All water bodies assessed in the 2022 cycle are currently classified as impaired, largely due to E. coli levels. This 100% impairment rate significantly exceeds the Nebraska state average of 66.4%.

Microbiological and Nutrient Trends Under Observation

Six monitoring sites have produced ,2560 measurements over the last five years. Data collection focuses on physical, nutrient, and microbiological characteristics to track the county’s watershed health.

No Federal Streamgage Data for Pawnee County

There is currently no representative USGS streamgage providing live data within the county. In the absence of real-time flow signals, local water intelligence relies heavily on the county's strong drinking water compliance record.

Prioritize Watershed Safety Amid High Impairment

Despite excellent tap water quality, the 100% impairment of assessed local waters requires caution regarding E. coli. Residents should use extra care during recreational activities in local streams and ponds.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Pawnee County

via WeatherByCounty

Nearing the National Temperature Median

Pawnee County averages 51.8°F annually, placing it very close to the median climate for the United States. It experiences the classic four-season cycle typical of the Great Plains.

Among Nebraska's Warmest and Wettest

At 51.8°F, Pawnee is significantly warmer than the state average of 49.7°F. It also receives 34.1 inches of precipitation, making it much wetter than the statewide average of 25.9 inches.

Wetter Than Northern Otoe County

Pawnee receives about an inch more rain annually than Otoe County and experiences three more extreme heat days. Its 38 days of 90°F+ weather make it one of the hotter spots in the immediate region.

Hot Summers and Moderate Snowfall

July averages a warm 76.7°F, while winter temperatures stay slightly milder than northern counties with a December-February average of 27.9°F. Annual snowfall typically reaches 21.4 inches.

Managing Humidity and Summer Peaks

Homeowners should prioritize foundation drainage to handle the high 34.1-inch annual rainfall. Cooling systems must be robust enough to combat 38 days of extreme summer heat.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Pawnee County

via SoilByCounty

Silt Loams and Entisols

Pawnee County is characterized by Silt Loam textures and the Entisols taxonomic order, which represents relatively young soil development. The average pH of 6.31 is more acidic than both the national median of 6.5 and the Nebraska state average of 6.79. This profile creates a distinct chemical environment that can be optimized with common soil amendments like lime.

A Dense Clay and Silt Mixture

The soil is comprised of 48.9% silt and 29.6% clay, balanced by just 19.7% sand. This composition creates a dense, heavy texture that provides high nutrient capacity but can be challenging to work when wet. The high clay content makes the soil naturally resistant to rapid water movement.

Deep Moisture Reservoirs

Pawnee County features an organic matter content of 2.90%, which is lower than the Nebraska average of 3.32% but healthy compared to the 2.0% national benchmark. Its available water capacity of 0.188 in/in is higher than the state average of 0.172 in/in. This ability to store water deeply in the soil profile supports crops through seasonal dry spells.

Managing Poorly Drained Lands

The dominant drainage class is 'Poorly drained,' and the soil belongs to Hydrologic Group C/D, indicating low infiltration rates and high runoff potential. These characteristics are critical for planning construction projects and require careful management of field drainage to prevent waterlogging. Homeowners should ensure proper grading away from foundations to handle the slow-moving water.

Thriving in Hardiness Zone 6a

Zone 6a allows for a diverse range of plantings, though moisture-tolerant varieties will perform best here. The high available water capacity makes Pawnee County a strong candidate for native prairie restoration and water-intensive summer crops. If you are starting a garden, consider raised beds to help manage the naturally slow drainage of these silt loams.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Pawnee County

via LawnByCounty

Pawnee County Leads the State in Ease

A lawn difficulty score of 70.9 puts Pawnee County well ahead of the national average. Homeowners here enjoy some of the most favorable turf conditions in Nebraska's Hardiness Zone 6a.

High Rainfall for the Plains

At 34.1 inches per year, Pawnee County enjoys much more precipitation than the Nebraska average of 25.9 inches. This extra moisture helps lawns survive the 38 days of extreme heat typically seen each summer.

Navigating Silt Loam with Poor Drainage

The silt loam texture and poor drainage class mean lawns stay wet longer, which can be a blessing or a curse. Watch for pooling water during heavy rains and avoid over-compacting the 29.6% clay soil.

Resilient Through Seasonal Drought

The county saw 20 weeks of drought in the past year, but 50.1% of the area currently shows abnormal dryness. Utilize the high clay content to your advantage by watering slowly to allow deep penetration without runoff.

Timing Success in Zone 6a

Spring seeding should begin after the April 23 frost date to take advantage of the wet season. Tall fescue is a top choice for its ability to handle both the summer heat and the poorly drained soils.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pawnee County's county score?
Pawnee County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 62.5 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 Pawnee County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Pawnee County ranks #44 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 Pawnee County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Pawnee County is $1,191, with an effective tax rate of 1.59%. This earns Pawnee County a tax score of 9.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Pawnee County?
The median household income in Pawnee County, Nebraska is $54,926 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Pawnee County earns an income score of 24.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Pawnee County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Pawnee County scores 62.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #44 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Pawnee 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 Pawnee 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.