Sarpy County

Nebraska · NE

#92 in Nebraska
58.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Sarpy County, Nebraska

Sarpy above national median but below peers

Sarpy County scores 58.7, above the national median of 50.0 and in the 59th percentile nationally. While performing better than average nationally, the score lags behind all other counties in this analysis and falls significantly below Nebraska's state average.

Below average for Nebraska overall

Sarpy's score of 58.7 falls notably below Nebraska's state average of 71.2, placing it in the lower half of the state's 93 counties. This county's composite profile is distinctly weaker than its rural peers.

Highest incomes in the group

Sarpy County leads this entire group with an Income Score of 49.6 and median household income of $101,402—significantly above all peers. The county also scores 82.3 on health outcomes, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure to support its more affluent population.

Housing costs and taxes are major concerns

Sarpy's Cost Score of just 58.9 reflects a median home value of $287,600 and rent at $1,284/month—the highest in this group by far. Combined with an effective tax rate of 1.793% (also the highest), the county is significantly less affordable than its Nebraska neighbors.

Best for higher-earning professionals and families

Sarpy County is suited for affluent professionals, dual-income families, and those who've prioritized career over affordability—and who can absorb higher housing and tax costs. The county's income-to-livability ratio suggests it's a suburban or metro-adjacent area where earning power outweighs rural affordability advantages.

Score breakdown

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

Tax51.8Cost58.9SafetyComing SoonHealth82.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome49.6Risk16.4WaterComing Soon
🏛51.8
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠58.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼49.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
82.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
16.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Sarpy County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Sarpy County

via TaxByCounty

Sarpy County taxes rank highest in Nebraska

Sarpy County's effective tax rate of 1.793% far exceeds the national median, placing it among the highest-taxed counties in America. With a median property tax of $5,157 on homes valued at $287,600, residents pay nearly double the national median tax of $2,690.

Sarpy leads Nebraska with highest effective rate

At 1.793%, Sarpy County carries Nebraska's highest effective tax rate, significantly outpacing the state average of 1.281% by more than half a percentage point. The median property tax of $5,157 dwarfs the state average of $1,972, reflecting Sarpy's suburban character and elevated service costs.

Sarpy taxes double surrounding rural counties

Sarpy County's 1.793% rate dramatically exceeds all nearby counties, including Saunders (1.347%), Saline (1.353%), and Seward (1.201%), reflecting its role as the region's primary metropolitan suburb. This premium reflects higher home values, denser development, and greater service infrastructure.

What you'll pay annually on median home

A home valued at Sarpy County's median of $287,600 carries an estimated annual property tax of approximately $5,157. Homeowners with mortgages pay around $5,394, while those without mortgages pay closer to $4,696.

Many homeowners could lower taxes through appeal

In higher-value suburban markets like Sarpy, assessment errors can translate to hundreds of dollars in unnecessary annual taxes, making appeals especially worthwhile. The county assessor's office handles free appeals—a no-risk opportunity to challenge inflated valuations and reduce your bill.

Cost of Living in Sarpy County

via CostByCounty

Sarpy County: prosperity with affordability trade-offs

Sarpy County's median household income of $101,402 far exceeds the national average of $74,755, yet its 15.2% rent-to-income ratio slightly surpasses national norms. High absolute costs—$1,284 monthly rent and $1,709 monthly ownership—reflect the county's growing prosperity and proximity to Omaha.

Nebraska's wealthiest, priciest county

Sarpy County leads Nebraska in median household income at $101,402, yet its rent-to-income ratio of 15.2% exceeds the state average of 14.2%. While higher incomes absorb housing costs more easily, absolute prices here are the state's highest: $1,284 for rent and home values exceeding $287,600.

The Omaha metro premium is real

Sarpy's $1,284 monthly rent and $287,600 home values dwarf rural peers like Rock County ($608 rent, $124,400 homes), reflecting metropolitan growth and demand. Even Saline County's $77,027 income pale beside Sarpy's $101,402, signaling the Omaha spillover effect.

High income absorbs high housing costs

Sarpy households earn $101,402 annually and allocate $1,284 to rent or $1,709 to ownership, consuming 15.2% and 20.3% of income respectively. While percentages run slightly high, the absolute dollars remaining after housing far exceed rural county households.

Sarpy offers prosperity with premium pricing

Relocating to Sarpy means embracing the Omaha metro lifestyle: higher incomes, strong job markets, and yes, significant housing costs that demand $100,000+ household earnings. If you're considering the move, ensure your salary matches the county's premium—it's not affordable for modest-income households.

Income & Jobs in Sarpy County

via IncomeByCounty

Sarpy County ranks among America's wealthiest

Sarpy County's median household income of $101,402 ranks 26% above the national median of $74,755. The county places in the top quartile nationally for household earnings, driven largely by the Omaha metropolitan area.

Nebraska's wealthiest county by far

Sarpy County's median household income of $101,402 towers above Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by over $34,000. The county ranks first in Nebraska—no other county comes close to this earning level.

Dramatically outearns all rural peers

Sarpy County's $101,402 median household income nearly doubles that of neighboring Saunders County ($89,395) and triples rural counties like Red Willow ($60,000). The Omaha suburbs have fundamentally different economic dynamics than agricultural Nebraska.

High income supports premium housing market

Sarpy County's 15.2% rent-to-income ratio reflects a premium real estate market where median home values reach $287,600. High incomes make expensive housing attainable, though households should ensure mortgage and rent don't exceed 30% of gross income.

Aggressive wealth-building is within reach

Sarpy County's $101,402 median income positions households to aggressively save, invest, and build generational wealth. Consider maxing retirement contributions, diversifying into real estate and equities, and working with a wealth advisor to optimize tax strategy and asset allocation.

Health in Sarpy County

via HealthByCounty

Sarpy County leads on health outcomes

At 79.8 years, Sarpy County residents live over 3 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Its 12.8% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among all Nebraska counties in this sample and well below the national average of 17.9%.

Top life expectancy, lowest uninsured rate

Sarpy County's 79.8-year life expectancy ranks highest in Nebraska, exceeding the state average of 77.5 years by 2.3 years. Its 4.6% uninsured rate is half the state average of 8.1%—the strongest insurance coverage in this sample.

Solid provider capacity across specialties

Sarpy's 50 primary care providers per 100K and 140 mental health providers per 100K provide mid-range access within its peer group. While not exceptional, these figures support adequate care availability for a growing suburban county.

Best insurance access in the state

Sarpy County's 4.6% uninsured rate is exceptional—less than half the state average—ensuring most residents have coverage pathways. With 50 primary care providers per 100K and 140 mental health providers, healthcare access is solid for routine and specialty needs.

Sarpy leads on coverage

Sarpy County's 4.6% uninsured rate is the lowest in Nebraska—a testament to strong uptake of coverage. If you're uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to join the majority with protection.

Disaster Risk in Sarpy County

via RiskByCounty

Sarpy faces 'Relatively Moderate' disaster risk

Sarpy County's composite risk score of 83.59 places it in the 'Relatively Moderate' category, significantly above the national average. This makes Sarpy one of the nation's higher-risk counties for natural disasters—a serious consideration for residents and property owners.

Nebraska's riskiest county by a wide margin

Sarpy County's score of 83.59 dramatically exceeds Nebraska's state average of 25.80 and far surpasses any other county in the state. The county faces natural disaster exposure more than three times greater than typical Nebraska locations.

Significantly riskier than surrounding counties

Sarpy County's risk profile dwarfs those of neighboring Cass, Lancaster, and Douglas counties, with a score roughly double that of its closest regional competitor. Its location in the Omaha metropolitan area places it at the intersection of multiple hazard zones.

Tornadoes and floods pose extreme threats

Tornado risk scores an exceptional 97.17—the highest in Nebraska—while flood risk of 73.57 ranks among the state's most severe. Wildfire risk of 81.46, though less impactful than tornadoes, remains significantly elevated, and earthquake risk of 28.94 adds complexity.

Invest in comprehensive, robust insurance coverage

Sarpy County residents must prioritize windstorm coverage, tornado protection, and flood insurance—do not rely on basic homeowners policies alone. Review coverage annually, especially after severe events; consider multiple policies and endorsements to address this county's exceptional multi-hazard exposure.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.