CountyScore

Platte County

Nebraska · NE

#79 in Nebraska
66
County Score

County Report Card

About Platte County, Nebraska

Solid Above-Average Performer

Platte County scores 66.0, above the national median of 50.0 but representing the lowest composite score in this group. Despite ranking below many peers, it maintains above-average national livability.

Below Nebraska's Average

At 66.0, Platte scores below Nebraska's state average of 71.2, ranking in the lower tier of Nebraska counties. It lags most measured peer communities in this region.

Reasonable Affordability and Health

Platte County offers moderate housing affordability with median home values at $207,800 and Cost Score of 78.6. Health outcomes at 74.9 provide solid medical infrastructure, and taxes at 1.342% are reasonable.

Significant Disaster Risk and Lower Income

The Risk Score of 29.4 is alarmingly low, indicating high vulnerability to environmental hazards—the most pressing concern for this county. Income Score of 30.6 and median household income of $72,335 also trail state averages, limiting financial resilience.

Not Ideal Unless Risk Tolerance High

Platte County suits primarily those with low sensitivity to disaster risk and flexibility on other livability factors. The county's main drawback is environmental vulnerability; families should carefully assess personal tolerance for natural hazard exposure before committing to the area.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.5Cost78.6SafetyComing SoonHealth74.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.6Risk29.4WaterComing Soon
🏛64.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤74.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡29.4
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 Platte County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Craighead County
Arkansas
66
Median income: $57,615
Putnam County
Georgia
66
Median income: $64,163
Hendricks County
Indiana
66
Median income: $99,988
Boyd County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $60,659
Daviess County
Kentucky
66
Median income: $65,323

Deep Dives

Platte County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Platte County

via TaxByCounty

Platte taxes right at national median

Platte County's median property tax of $2,789 exceeds the national median of $2,690, placing homeowners slightly above the national middle. The county's effective rate of 1.342% runs above the national median, indicating above-average tax pressure despite home values closer to the national average.

Above-average taxes for Nebraska

Platte County's effective rate of 1.342% exceeds Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, putting it among the higher-taxed counties in the state. Median taxes of $2,789 run 41% above the state average of $1,972, reflecting both the county's higher home values and elevated tax rate.

Second-highest taxes in the region

Platte's 1.342% rate ranks second-highest among neighbors, exceeded only by Pawnee (1.592%) and ahead of Phelps (1.377%), Otoe (1.437%), and most others. The county's median home value of $207,800 is the highest in the region, combining with above-average rates to produce the region's steepest tax bills.

Platte property taxes on median home

A homeowner with a $207,800 property in Platte County should expect approximately $2,789 in annual property taxes at the 1.342% effective rate. With mortgage considerations, that bill may reach $2,938; without mortgage, it drops to $2,589.

Especially important to verify assessments

With Platte County combining above-average tax rates with above-average home values, even modest assessment errors translate to significant annual costs. Review your property's assessed value carefully against recent comparable sales; if it appears inflated, file an appeal to potentially recover hundreds of dollars annually.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Platte County

via CostByCounty

Platte's affordability strains slightly above state

Platte County renters spend 14.4% of their income on housing, just slightly above Nebraska's 14.2% state average, indicating moderate housing pressure. The median household income of $72,335 is below the national average of $74,755, placing the county at a disadvantage relative to national benchmarks.

Higher rents stretch affordability boundaries

Platte County ranks at the lower end of Nebraska counties for rental affordability, with a 14.4% rent-to-income ratio exceeding the state average. Its $867 median rent is the highest in this eight-county comparison, reflecting strong housing demand in the county.

Priciest rents and homes in the region

Platte's $867 median rent is the highest here, as are its median home values at $207,800—the most expensive in the comparison. These elevated costs reflect Platte's role as a population and economic hub in the region.

Homeowners carry a heavier burden

Platte households earn $72,335 annually, with renters spending $867 (14.4% of income) and homeowners spending $935 (15.5% of income). Homeownership costs rise noticeably above renting, placing pressure on buyers in this county.

Platte suits those prioritizing opportunity

Platte County's higher housing costs reflect its role as a regional economic and population center; if job opportunities matter more than lowest costs, the trade-off may be worthwhile. Renters fare better than homebuyers here, and both should carefully budget for housing's larger share of income.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Platte County

via IncomeByCounty

Platte Slightly Below National Average

Platte County's median household income of $72,335 falls about $2,420 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 3.2% gap. The county sits just below national standards, reflecting solid middle-class conditions with modest income constraints.

Above Average for Nebraska

At $72,335, Platte County's median household income outperforms Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by $5,455, placing it in the upper third of the state's 93 counties. The county demonstrates earning power stronger than most statewide peers.

Mid-to-Upper Regional Earnings

Platte County's $72,335 income ranks it among the region's stronger earners, trailing only Otoe County ($81,430) and Pierce County ($75,938). It substantially exceeds lower-income neighbors like Pawnee County ($54,926) and Perkins County ($67,500).

Higher Home Values Strain Affordability

Platte County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.4% is the highest among peer counties, indicating tighter affordability despite solid income. A median home value of $207,800—highest in the region—means substantial portions of household budgets go toward housing costs.

Invest Strategically Despite High Home Costs

Platte County households should carefully manage housing expenses to preserve wealth-building capacity in other areas. With above-average income, prioritize establishing diversified investments alongside home equity, maximizing retirement accounts, and building emergency reserves to weather future financial challenges.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Platte County

via HealthByCounty

Platte County's exceptional life expectancy

At 80.1 years, Platte County residents live notably longer than the U.S. average of 78.9 years, with the highest life expectancy in this Nebraska profile. However, 16.6% report poor or fair health, a rate above the national median of 13.7%, revealing that longer life doesn't guarantee healthier aging.

Nebraska's longevity leader

Platte's 80.1-year life expectancy exceeds Nebraska's state average of 77.5 years by 2.6 years—a substantial advantage placing it firmly at the top statewide. At 9.0% uninsured, however, Platte matches Nuckolls and exceeds the state average, suggesting room to improve coverage.

Exceptional mental health provider availability

Platte boasts 234 mental health providers per 100K residents—the highest of all profiled counties and far exceeding state norms. Primary care access at 76 per 100K is solid but trails some rural neighbors, suggesting Platte's mental health infrastructure is its greatest healthcare strength.

Mental health resources support longevity

Platte's exceptional supply of 234 mental health providers per 100K likely contributes to its top-tier life expectancy by addressing depression, anxiety, and substance use early. Yet 16.6% still report poor or fair health, indicating that mental health access alone doesn't eliminate chronic disease.

Use Platte's mental health resources fully

Platte County excels in behavioral health access, but 9% of residents lack insurance to take advantage of these services. Enroll in marketplace coverage during open enrollment (November 1–January 31) to connect with Platte's robust mental health support network and maintain the county's health advantages.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Platte County

via RiskByCounty

Platte County faces elevated national risk

With a composite risk score of 70.58, Platte County ranks in the Relatively Low category but sits well above the national average. This elevated exposure is driven by significant tornado and flood vulnerabilities affecting the region.

Nebraska's highest-risk county

Platte County's score of 70.58 significantly exceeds Nebraska's state average of 25.80, making it the highest-risk county in the state. This stands in sharp contrast to most Nebraska counties, which cluster well below the national average.

Far exceeds surrounding county risk levels

Platte County's 70.58 score dramatically surpasses all neighboring counties—most of which score below 40—making it an outlier in the region. Even Phelps County (39.15), the next-highest nearby, presents substantially lower risk.

Tornado and flood threats dominate

Tornado risk scores exceptionally high at 90.90 and flood risk reaches 60.72, making these by far the county's primary concerns. Wildfire (61.93) and earthquake (25.99) risks also elevate the county's profile above most Nebraska areas.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Platte County residents must prioritize robust homeowners insurance with strong wind and flood coverage, as tornado and flood risks substantially exceed state norms. Consider flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program if you're in a flood-prone zone, and invest in tornado safety features like reinforced rooms or safe spaces.

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.