CountyScore

Rock County

Nebraska · NE

#6 in Nebraska
79
County Score

County Report Card

About Rock County, Nebraska

Rock County leads this group nationally

Rock County's composite score of 79.0 is far above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 79th percentile nationally. The county ranks in the top quintile of American counties for overall livability.

The strongest performer in Nebraska

Rock County's score of 79.0 significantly exceeds Nebraska's state average of 71.2, making it the standout county in this analysis. This is the highest score among all eight counties examined.

Exceptional health and low taxes lead the way

Rock County scores 84.7 on health outcomes—the highest in this group—and boasts the lowest effective tax rate at just 1.016%. The county also achieves a nearly perfect Risk Score of 99.3, indicating outstanding environmental stability and low natural hazard exposure.

Income growth remains modest despite strengths

Rock County's Income Score of 20.9 is relatively low, with a median household income of $57,500, limiting wealth-building potential for residents. This suggests that while the county excels at cost control and health, wage growth and career advancement may be constrained.

Best for health-conscious, stability-seeking families

Rock County is ideal for families and individuals who value excellent health infrastructure, environmental stability, and low taxes over maximizing income. The county offers a secure, healthy, affordable lifestyle—perfect for retirees, young families prioritizing well-being, and anyone seeking a safe, predictable community.

Score breakdown

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

Tax73.7Cost88.1SafetyComing SoonHealth84.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome20.9Risk99.3WaterComing Soon
🏛73.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠88.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼20.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99.3
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 Rock County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Custer County
Colorado
79
Median income: $72,700
Bland County
Virginia
79
Median income: $61,375
Bear Lake County
Idaho
79.1
Median income: $67,304
Steele County
North Dakota
78.9
Median income: $80,313
Loving County
Texas
78.9
Median income: $51,087

Deep Dives

Rock County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Rock County

via TaxByCounty

Rock County offers the lowest effective tax rate

Rock County's effective tax rate of 1.016% ranks among the lowest in the nation, offering property owners substantial savings compared to national norms. With a median property tax of just $1,264, residents pay less than half the national median of $2,690.

Rock County leads Nebraska in tax efficiency

At 1.016%, Rock County boasts the lowest effective tax rate among all 93 Nebraska counties, well below the state average of 1.281%. This advantage translates to median annual taxes of $1,264 versus the state average of $1,972, saving homeowners $708 per year.

Rock County stands out as tax bargain

Rock County's 1.016% rate substantially undercuts surrounding counties including Red Willow (1.262%) and Richardson (1.377%), offering homeowners the region's most favorable tax environment. This advantage stems from local fiscal management and lower service delivery costs.

What you'll pay annually on median home

A home valued at Rock County's median of $124,400 carries an estimated annual property tax of approximately $1,264. Homeowners with mortgages pay around $1,154, while those without mortgages pay closer to $1,301.

Many homeowners could lower taxes through appeal

Even with Rock County's advantageous tax rate, property assessments can still be inaccurate, and homeowners may be paying taxes on inflated valuations. A free appeal to the county assessor could identify overassessments and reduce your already-low tax burden further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Rock County

via CostByCounty

Rock County leads the affordability race

Rock County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio beats the national average of roughly 14%, delivering genuine housing relief across all income brackets. With median rent at just $608 monthly and a $57,500 median household income, residents here enjoy some of the nation's tightest housing-cost burdens.

Best affordability in all of Nebraska

Rock County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio stands 1.5 points below Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, making it the clear winner for budget-conscious renters. At $608 monthly, rents run $175 cheaper than the state average, an exceptional advantage in rural Nebraska.

Lowest rent in the region by far

Rock County's $608 monthly rent dramatically undercuts Richardson County ($692), Red Willow ($778), and every other peer in this analysis. Despite the lowest income level at $57,500, Rock County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.7% proves that careful local pricing can defeat earnings differences.

Economy rents anchor tight budgets

Rock County households allocate just $608 to rent or $628 to mortgage against a $57,500 annual income, representing roughly 12–13% of earnings. This leaves substantial room for utilities, food, childcare, and emergency savings—a luxury uncommon in rural communities.

Rock County awaits the budget-conscious

If housing affordability is your north star, Rock County is Nebraska's destination—rents and mortgages are the state's cheapest, with median home values at just $124,400. Homebuyers and renters alike will find unmatched breathing room in their household budgets.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rock County

via IncomeByCounty

Rock County income below national median

Rock County's median household income of $57,500 trails the national median of $74,755 by about $17,255. The county ranks in the lower 30% of U.S. counties for household earnings.

Below Nebraska's income average

Rock County's median household income of $57,500 falls below Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by nearly $9,400. The county ranks in the lower third among Nebraska's 93 counties.

Slightly stronger than Richardson, weaker than Red Willow

Rock County's $57,500 median household income exceeds Richardson County ($55,578) but lags Red Willow County ($60,000). Among rural northeast Nebraska communities, Rock County sits in the lower-middle range economically.

Best rent-to-income ratio in this peer group

Rock County's 12.7% rent-to-income ratio is one of the healthiest among similarly-sized counties, just above the sustainable 12% threshold. The median home value of $124,400 remains manageable relative to household earnings, easing housing affordability pressures.

Favorable housing economics enable saving

Rock County's relatively low housing cost burden creates room in household budgets for investment and retirement savings despite modest median income. Households should capitalize on affordable housing to accelerate wealth-building through consistent saving and long-term investment strategies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Rock County

via HealthByCounty

Rock County's life expectancy data unavailable

Life expectancy data for Rock County is not currently available; however, its 14.7% poor/fair health rate sits below the national average of 17.9%, indicating relatively strong health status. The county's low 7.5% uninsured rate—below the U.S. average—suggests good insurance access.

Strong uninsured rate, low poor health

Rock County's 7.5% uninsured rate ranks it among Nebraska's best, below the state average of 8.1%. With 14.7% poor/fair health, the county performs above state benchmarks despite not reporting life expectancy data.

Exceptional mental health provider density

Rock County boasts 551 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—more than double any neighboring county and far exceeding state norms. Its 79 primary care providers per 100K also rank among the region's strongest.

Best-in-class behavioral health access

Rock County's 551 mental health providers per 100K is exceptional for a rural Nebraska county, ensuring robust psychiatric and counseling services. Its 7.5% uninsured rate is among Nebraska's lowest, making healthcare access viable for most residents.

Rock County has strong coverage

With only 7.5% uninsured, Rock County leads Nebraska in insurance uptake. If you're among the uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find coverage that works for you.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Rock County

via RiskByCounty

Rock County is America's safest

With a composite risk score of just 0.70, Rock County ranks as one of the lowest-risk counties in the entire United States. This exceptional safety makes it an outlier even compared to most 'Very Low' risk areas nationwide.

Nebraska's lowest-risk county by far

Rock County's score of 0.70 is dramatically lower than any other Nebraska county and nearly 37 times lower than the state average of 25.80. The county stands alone as the safest place in Nebraska for natural disaster exposure.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Rock County's risk score of 0.70 is extraordinarily low compared to Loup, Garfield, and Holt counties. Its isolated location in the Sandhills region and sparse population contribute to its exceptional natural disaster profile.

Wildfire is the only material risk

Wildfire risk scores 62.37, making it Rock County's sole significant natural hazard, though still modest in absolute terms. Tornado risk of 13.39 and flood risk of 1.08 are negligible compared to most counties, presenting almost no practical threat.

Standard coverage provides ample protection

Rock County's exceptional safety profile means basic homeowners insurance covers your primary concerns effectively. If you live on acreage or near grassland, confirm wildfire coverage in your policy—but overall, Rock County residents enjoy minimal natural disaster insurance worries.

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.