countyscore
59.4
County Score
Disaster Risk 79.7Schools 78.4Safety 74.8

County Report Card

About Red Willow County, Nebraska

Red Willow Outperforms the National Median

With a composite score of 60.1, Red Willow County sits well above the national median of 50.0. This score places the county in the top 40% of all counties across the United States for overall quality of life.

A Reliable Performer in Nebraska

The county's overall score slightly exceeds the Nebraska state average of 59.3. It holds its own as a balanced rural hub compared to the state's other 92 counties.

Safety and Schools Lead the Way

Red Willow excels in disaster resilience and education, boasting a Risk Score of 79.7 and a School Score of 78.4. Public safety also remains a hallmark of the area with a solid Safety Score of 74.8.

Navigating Water and Tax Pressures

Infrastructure presents a challenge, as seen in a low Water Score of 10.5. Residents also navigate a notable tax burden, reflected by a Tax Score of 22.6 and an effective property tax rate of 1.262%.

The Perfect Fit for Quiet Family Life

This county suits families and retirees who value excellent schools and physical safety above all else. With a median home value of $143,500, it remains highly accessible for those seeking a stable, low-risk environment.

2040608010024.458.174.870.378.444.979.710.536.9Tax24.4Cost58.1Safety74.8Health70.3Schools78.4Income44.9Risk79.7Water10.5Weather36.959.4/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Red Willow County DNA

Foverall

How Red Willow County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Red Willow County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (79.7/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (10.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
24.4-27.6
Cost
58.1+10.100000000000001
Safety
74.8+19.799999999999997
Health
70.3+20.299999999999997
Schools
78.4+24.400000000000006
Income
44.9
Risk
79.7+32.7
Water
10.5-47.5
Weather
36.9-19.1
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Red Willow County?

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

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$159,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$819/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$159,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$32,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $63,697/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

9.4

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
Compare Red Willow County with Wrangell City and Borough →Share on X

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Nearby counties

Decatur County
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54.1
Frontier County
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64.1
Hitchcock County
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59.6
Furnas County
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Rawlins County
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Norton County
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Hayes County
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Gosper County
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Deep Dives

Red Willow County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Red Willow County

via TaxByCounty

Red Willow's taxes stay well below national average

Red Willow County's effective tax rate of 1.262% sits comfortably below the national median of roughly 1.1%, meaning property owners here pay less in taxes relative to home value than most Americans. With a median annual property tax of $1,811, residents pay about one-third less than the national median of $2,690, placing the county in the lower-tax tier nationally.

Red Willow ranks near middle of Nebraska counties

At 1.262%, Red Willow's effective rate falls just below Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, putting it in the lower half of the state's 93 counties. The county's median tax bill of $1,811 trails the state average of $1,972 by about $160 annually.

Competitive rates in south-central Nebraska

Red Willow's 1.262% rate outperforms Rock County (1.016%) slightly but undercuts Saline County (1.353%), its nearest neighbors in the region. Among comparable south-central counties, Red Willow sits in the middle tier for tax burden.

What you'll pay annually on median home

A home valued at Red Willow County's median of $143,500 carries an estimated annual property tax of around $1,811. For homeowners with mortgages, that figure climbs to $1,855 when accounting for tax escrow; those without mortgages pay approximately $1,784.

Many homeowners could lower taxes through appeal

Property assessments aren't always accurate, and many Red Willow County homeowners may be paying taxes on overvalued properties. If you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its true market worth, filing an appeal with the county assessor's office is free and could reduce your annual tax bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Red Willow County

via IncomeByCounty

Red Willow lags national income average

Red Willow County's median household income of $60,000 falls about $14,755 below the national median of $74,755. This places the county in the bottom third nationally for household earnings, reflecting the rural character of the region.

Below average among Nebraska counties

Red Willow's $60,000 median household income ranks below Nebraska's state average of $66,880. The county trails 60% of Nebraska counties in household earnings capacity.

Less prosperous than nearby peers

Red Willow's median household income of $60,000 falls below neighboring Rock County ($57,500) and Scotts Bluff County ($60,960). Among rural southwest Nebraska counties, Red Willow sits in the lower-middle tier economically.

Housing costs strain household budgets

At 15.6%, Red Willow's rent-to-income ratio exceeds the sustainable 12% threshold, meaning housing consumes an outsized share of household budgets. The median home value of $143,500 requires careful financial planning for most households to achieve homeownership.

Build financial security in Red Willow

With median income at $60,000, households that budget strategically and prioritize retirement savings can build long-term wealth despite below-average earnings. Consider working with a financial advisor to optimize savings and homeownership strategies tailored to Red Willow's cost structure.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Red Willow County

via CrimeByCounty

Red Willow surpasses national safety standards

Red Willow County maintains a total crime rate of 598.7 per 100K residents, which is nearly four times lower than the national average of 2,385.5. This impressive performance earns the county a high safety score of 99.1 out of 100.

Outperforming the Nebraska state average

The county's crime rate of 598.7 per 100K sits comfortably below the Nebraska state average of 626.7. Its safety score of 99.1 slightly edges out the state-wide average score of 99.0.

Red Willow leads its regional neighbors

Compared to nearby Richardson County, which reports a rate of 980.9, Red Willow is significantly safer for residents. It manages to keep crime lower than many surrounding jurisdictions through its three reporting agencies.

Low violent crime defines Red Willow

Violent crime occurs at a rate of 84.2 per 100K, while property crime accounts for the remaining 514.5 cases. Both metrics remain far below national levels, making violent incidents rare in this community.

Keep Red Willow safe and secure

While crime is low, maintaining home security awareness helps preserve this community's safety record. Consider basic measures like motion-sensor lighting to deter property crime.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Red Willow County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm and Sunny Southwestern Plains

Red Willow County averages 52.2°F annually, which is very close to the national median. This area is characterized by high sun exposure and a dry, breezy atmosphere.

One of Nebraska's Warmest Spots

At 52.2°F, Red Willow is significantly warmer than the Nebraska average of 49.7°F. It is also quite dry, receiving only 20.9 inches of precipitation compared to the 25.9-inch state average.

The Heat Leader of the Region

Red Willow endures 61 extreme heat days, far more than the 47 days in Perkins County. It is also the driest in the immediate vicinity, receiving roughly 5 fewer inches of rain than Phelps.

Hot Summers and Mild Winters

July is hot with a 77.6°F average and two full months worth of 90°F+ days. Winters are relatively mild for Nebraska, featuring 20.4 inches of snow and a 30.0°F average.

Surviving the Intense Summer Sun

With 61 days of extreme heat, a high-efficiency HVAC system is the most critical home investment. Outdoor planning should account for the low 20.9-inch annual precipitation.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Red Willow County

via SoilByCounty

Alkaline Entisols Lead the Way

Red Willow soils belong to the Entisol order and show an average pH of 7.06. This is significantly more alkaline than the national median of 6.5 and the Nebraska state average of 6.79. These young soils provide a unique chemical foundation for local agriculture.

A Fine Sandy Loam Texture

The soil contains 52.4% silt and 27.7% sand, resulting in a fine sandy loam classification. While the 17.8% clay content provides some structure, the high silt levels ensure a smooth texture that remains relatively easy to work with machinery. This mix facilitates decent airflow to plant roots.

Low Organic Matter, High Water Storage

The organic matter sits at 1.88%, which falls below both the national average of 2.0% and the state average of 3.32%. However, the available water capacity of 0.192 in/in beats the state average of 0.172. This soil stores moisture efficiently despite its lower carbon content.

High Infiltration and Moderate Drainage

Classified as moderately well drained, these soils allow water to move through the profile at a steady pace. They belong to Hydrologic Group A, meaning they have a high infiltration rate even when thoroughly wetted. This reduces the risk of surface runoff and erosion during heavy rains.

Gardening in Hardiness Zone 6a

Sitting in USDA Zone 6a, this county is ideal for growing winter wheat, corn, and hardy perennials. Gardeners should focus on adding compost to boost the lower organic matter levels. With consistent irrigation, the high water capacity supports vibrant summer vegetable harvests.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Red Willow County

via LawnByCounty

Managing Grass in High-Heat Red Willow

Red Willow County earns a lawn difficulty score of 46.9, falling below both the state average of 54.2 and the national median. Located in USDA Hardiness Zone 6a, homeowners here face tougher conditions than most Nebraskans due to significant heat stress. Maintaining a lush turf requires more active management than in neighboring eastern counties.

Low Precipitation Meets Intense Summer Heat

With only 20.9 inches of annual precipitation, this area falls short of the 30-50 inches lawns ideally need. The county endures 61 extreme heat days per year, nearly double the state average of 34 days. These conditions, paired with 3,508 growing degree days, demand a rigorous irrigation schedule to prevent summer dormancy.

Neutral pH in Fine Sandy Loam

The soil foundation is solid with a pH of 7.06, sitting right at the upper edge of the ideal 6.0-7.0 range. This fine sandy loam is 27.7% sand and 17.8% clay, providing moderately well-drained conditions for root development. Most lawns here benefit from organic matter additions to improve water retention in the sandy profile.

Battling Persistent Dry Spells

The county spent 32 weeks in drought over the last year, and currently, 100% of the area is classified as abnormally dry. While severe drought is not presently recorded, the low annual rainfall makes water conservation essential. Deep, infrequent watering early in the morning helps grass survive these persistent dry stretches.

Heat-Tolerant Turf for Zone 6a

Tall fescue and buffalograss are the most resilient choices for this climate's high heat and low moisture. Wait until after the last spring frost on May 1 to begin significant seeding or sodding projects. With the first frost arriving by October 9, late summer remains the best window for establishing new growth.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Red Willow County's county score?
Red Willow County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 59.4 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 Red Willow County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Red Willow County ranks #55 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 Red Willow County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Red Willow County is $1,879, with an effective tax rate of 1.18%. This earns Red Willow County a tax score of 24.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Red Willow County?
The median household income in Red Willow County, Nebraska is $63,697 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Red Willow County earns an income score of 44.9/100 on CountyScore.
Is Red Willow County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Red Willow County scores 59.4/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #55 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Red Willow 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 Red Willow County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, 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.