CountyScore

Phelps County

Nebraska · NE

#58 in Nebraska
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Phelps County, Nebraska

Firmly Above National Livability Median

Phelps County scores 70.2, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. The county ranks among stronger American communities across measured dimensions.

Slightly Below State Average

At 70.2, Phelps falls just under Nebraska's state average of 71.2, ranking it in the middle tier of Nebraska counties. Performance is solid but not among the state's leaders.

Excellent Health Outcomes

Phelps County stands out with the highest Health Score of 77.8 among these counties, suggesting strong healthcare infrastructure and community wellness. The Cost Score of 82.7 also provides reasonable housing affordability with median home values at $173,300.

Risk Exposure and Low Income

The Risk Score of 60.9 is notably the lowest among these counties, indicating higher vulnerability to environmental hazards or natural disasters. Combined with an Income Score of 26.5 and median household income of $65,988, the county faces both economic and safety constraints.

Ideal for Health-Focused Retirees

Phelps County appeals to retirees and health-conscious families prioritizing strong medical care and services over disaster resilience. Its excellent health infrastructure and moderate housing costs make it attractive to those seeking reliable healthcare in a rural setting, though disaster-prone areas should consider this carefully.

Score breakdown

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

Tax63.5Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth77.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome26.5Risk60.9WaterComing Soon
🏛63.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼26.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤77.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡60.9
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 Phelps County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lafayette County
Arkansas
70.2
Median income: $37,237
Quitman County
Georgia
70.2
Median income: $36,838
Mahaska County
Iowa
70.2
Median income: $69,019
Jessamine County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $74,886
Lawrence County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $45,584

Deep Dives

Phelps County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Phelps County

via TaxByCounty

Phelps taxes nearly match national median

Phelps County's median property tax of $2,386 sits just slightly below the national median of $2,690, putting homeowners nearly in the middle of the national distribution. The county's effective rate of 1.377% runs above the national median, reflecting moderate-to-high tax pressure on residential properties.

Above-average Nebraska tax burden

Phelps County's effective rate of 1.377% exceeds Nebraska's state average of 1.281% by about 7%, ranking it among the higher-taxed counties statewide. Median taxes of $2,386 run 21% above the state average of $1,972, making Phelps a relatively expensive county for property taxation.

Mid-range taxes among regional peers

Phelps' 1.377% rate places it squarely between its neighbors—below Pawnee (1.592%) and Otoe (1.437%), but above Perkins (1.014%) and Nuckolls (1.280%). The county's median home value of $173,300 is typical for the region, resulting in tax bills that closely track regional averages.

Annual taxes on typical Phelps property

A homeowner with a $173,300 property in Phelps County should expect approximately $2,386 in annual property taxes at the 1.377% effective rate. With mortgage considerations, that bill may range from $2,351 to $2,423 depending on homeownership structure.

Challenge inflated assessments in Phelps

With Phelps County running above-state-average tax rates, verifying your property's assessed value against recent comparable sales becomes especially important. If your assessment exceeds what similar nearby homes recently sold for, filing an appeal could recover meaningful dollars.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Phelps County

via CostByCounty

Phelps offers solid affordability below state average

Phelps County renters spend 13.2% of their income on housing, comfortably below Nebraska's 14.2% state average and well within national norms. The median household income of $65,988 is slightly below the national average of $74,755, but housing costs are proportionally manageable.

Above-average affordability for Nebraska renters

Phelps County ranks in the better half of Nebraska counties for rental affordability at 13.2% rent-to-income, outperforming the state average. Its $724 median rent is $59 cheaper than the state average of $783.

Moderate rent with higher home values

Phelps' $724 monthly rent is cheaper than most neighbors—only Nuckolls and Pawnee are lower—while its median home value of $173,300 is substantial. This makes Phelps attractive for renters but requiring serious commitment from buyers compared to cheaper counties.

Renters enjoy better affordability than owners

Phelps households earn $65,988 annually, with renters spending $724 (13.2% of income) and homeowners spending $844 (15.3% of income). This gap suggests Phelps' home values have risen faster than local wage growth, benefiting renters relative to buyers.

Phelps suits renters seeking good value

If you're renting, Phelps County delivers better-than-state-average affordability with moderate monthly costs and solid median income of $65,988. Prospective homebuyers should note that ownership costs rise noticeably relative to rent, making this better suited for long-term renters.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Phelps County

via IncomeByCounty

Phelps Trails National Income Mark

Phelps County's median household income of $65,988 falls about $8,767 below the national median of $74,755, representing an 11.7% shortfall. The county sits slightly below the national middle class, though not dramatically so.

Just Below Nebraska's State Average

At $65,988, Phelps County's median household income falls nearly $900 short of Nebraska's state average of $66,880. The county ranks near the middle of Nebraska's 93 counties, reflecting typical income conditions for the state.

Lower Middle in Regional Standings

Phelps County's $65,988 income trails neighbors like Platte County ($72,335) and Nuckolls County ($70,201), while slightly outpacing Perkins County ($67,500). The county represents a lower-middle tier of earning power within its region.

Higher Home Values Press Budgets

Despite a reasonable rent-to-income ratio of 13.2%, Phelps County's median home value of $173,300 is high relative to the $65,988 median income. Homebuyers here commit a substantial portion of income to housing, limiting discretionary savings.

Thoughtful Decisions Drive Long-Term Growth

Phelps County households should carefully evaluate home purchases against long-term financial goals, as housing costs significantly impact wealth-building capacity. Prioritizing down payments, avoiding excessive debt, and taking advantage of employer retirement plans creates a foundation for steady wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Phelps County

via HealthByCounty

Phelps matches national health benchmarks

At 78.6 years, Phelps County residents live nearly as long as the U.S. average of 78.9 years, placing it among Nebraska's healthiest communities. The county's 13.7% poor or fair health rate matches the national median, suggesting residents enjoy typical chronic disease prevalence for their age.

Above-average outcomes across Nebraska

Phelps exceeds Nebraska's state average life expectancy of 77.5 years and maintains a 7.4% uninsured rate well below the state's 8.1% average. This combination positions Phelps in the top tier of county health outcomes statewide.

Strong primary and mental health support

Phelps offers 101 primary care providers per 100K and 166 mental health providers per 100K, both robust figures that exceed most rural Nebraska counties. This dual strength in medical and behavioral health infrastructure supports comprehensive community healthcare.

Strong insurance coverage fuels good health

With 92.6% of Phelps County residents insured and solid primary care availability, most residents can access preventive care and manage chronic conditions. This high insurance rate correlates with the county's above-average life expectancy and below-average poor health rates.

Maintain coverage to sustain health gains

Phelps County's success in health outcomes reflects strong insurance coverage; keeping your plan active ensures ongoing access to preventive care and chronic disease management. Renew during open enrollment (November 1–January 31) to avoid gaps in coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Phelps County

via RiskByCounty

Phelps County's tornado risk stands out

With a composite risk score of 39.15, Phelps County ranks in the Very Low category but sits well above the national average. The county's risk profile is dominated by a single hazard that creates this elevated score.

Above-average risk within Nebraska

Phelps County's score of 39.15 exceeds Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it in the upper half of the state's risk rankings. This elevation is driven primarily by tornado vulnerability rather than broad hazard exposure.

Higher tornado risk than most neighbors

Phelps County's 39.15 score exceeds most surrounding counties, particularly Nuckolls (22.46) and Perkins (4.36), making it one of the region's more hazard-prone areas. Only Platte County (70.58) presents notably greater overall risk.

Tornado risk dominates the hazard picture

Tornado risk scores 45.01 in Phelps County, far exceeding all other hazards and driving the county's composite score. Earthquake (13.61) and flood (17.02) risks remain secondary, while wildfire (7.86) presents minimal concern.

Prioritize tornado-resistant construction

Phelps County residents should invest in tornado safety features like reinforced safe rooms or interior bathroom refuges, as tornado risk substantially outpaces all other hazards. Ensure your homeowners insurance includes comprehensive wind damage coverage and understand your policy's tornado-related provisions.

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.