CountyScore

Saunders County

Nebraska · NE

#67 in Nebraska
69.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Saunders County, Nebraska

Saunders performs well above national average

Saunders County's composite score of 69.8 is well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 70th percentile nationally. The county outperforms roughly seven out of ten American counties.

Just below Nebraska state average

Saunders scores 69.8, slightly below Nebraska's state average of 71.2, putting it near the middle of the state's 93 counties. The county is competitive, though not a top performer.

Strong health profile and moderate incomes

Saunders County scores 80.3 on health outcomes and maintains a solid Income Score of 41.7, reflecting a median household income of $89,395. The county also demonstrates reasonable risk management with a Risk Score of 70.9, suggesting acceptable environmental resilience.

Housing affordability declining relative to peers

With a Cost Score of 72.8, Saunders ranks lower on housing affordability among this group, with a median home value of $241,100 and rent at $930/month. The higher costs are not offset by proportionally higher incomes compared to more affordable counties like Rock or Richardson.

Good fit for families balancing income and health

Saunders County appeals to middle-class families seeking reasonable incomes, good health infrastructure, and a moderately affordable lifestyle in a stable rural setting. The county represents a balanced option for those who don't need maximum affordability but value reliable community health and above-average earnings relative to other rural areas.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.4Cost72.8SafetyComing SoonHealth80.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome41.7Risk70.9WaterComing Soon
🏛64.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠72.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡70.9
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 Saunders County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Clay County
Arkansas
69.8
Median income: $48,500
Liberty County
Florida
69.8
Median income: $53,824
McDuffie County
Georgia
69.8
Median income: $54,058
Webster County
Kentucky
69.8
Median income: $58,786
Evangeline Parish
Louisiana
69.8
Median income: $42,273

Deep Dives

Saunders County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Saunders County

via TaxByCounty

Saunders taxes exceed national average rates

Saunders County's effective tax rate of 1.347% exceeds the national median, positioning it in the higher tier of American counties for property tax burden. Despite this elevated rate, the median property tax of $3,247 falls below the national median of $2,690 in raw dollars, reflecting higher home values than most rural regions.

Saunders ranks high among Nebraska counties

At 1.347%, Saunders County's effective rate surpasses Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, placing it in the upper third of the state's 93 counties. The median property tax of $3,247 exceeds the state average of $1,972 by $1,275, reflecting the county's strong property values.

Mid-range taxes in eastern Nebraska corridor

Saunders County's 1.347% rate falls between nearby Saline (1.353%) and Seward (1.201%), positioning it as a moderately taxed corridor between Omaha's suburbs and rural counties. The county attracts commuters with somewhat lower taxes than Sarpy County (1.793%) but higher than distant rural peers.

What you'll pay annually on median home

A home valued at Saunders County's median of $241,100 carries an estimated annual property tax of approximately $3,247. Homeowners with mortgages pay around $3,272, while those without mortgages pay closer to $3,218.

Many homeowners could lower taxes through appeal

Saunders County homeowners with higher-value properties should verify their assessments match current market conditions, as overvaluation in this strong market could inflate tax obligations significantly. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor offers a straightforward way to identify and correct overassessments.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Saunders County

via CostByCounty

Saunders balances strong income and housing

Saunders County's median household income of $89,395 significantly outpaces the national average of $74,755, while its 12.5% rent-to-income ratio beats national affordability norms. Residents enjoy above-average earning power coupled with controlled housing burden—a rare advantage.

Top-tier affordability with top-tier income

Saunders County ranks among Nebraska's best for affordability with a 12.5% rent-to-income ratio, besting the state average of 14.2%. At $89,395 median income—the state's second-highest after Sarpy—Saunders delivers both prosperity and housing relief.

Prosperity without the Omaha premium

Saunders's $89,395 income nearly matches Sarpy's $101,402, yet monthly rents ($930) remain $354 cheaper than Sarpy's $1,284. Home values at $241,100 split the difference between rural and metro, offering a balanced alternative to both extremes.

Smart earnings, smart housing allocation

Saunders households earn $89,395 annually and dedicate $930 to rent or $1,239 to ownership, consuming just 12.5% and 16.6% of income respectively. This efficiency leaves over $6,700 monthly for other essentials—among the best in the state.

Saunders: Nebraska's balanced option

If you want strong income potential without Sarpy's metro prices, Saunders County delivers: high household earnings, controlled housing costs, and reasonable home values around $241,100. You'll find both financial security and housing relief in this transitional county.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Saunders County

via IncomeByCounty

Saunders County surpasses national average

Saunders County's median household income of $89,395 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by about $14,640. The county ranks in the top third of U.S. counties for household earnings.

Second-highest earner in Nebraska

At $89,395, Saunders County's median household income ranks second in Nebraska, trailing only Sarpy County ($101,402) and well above the state average of $66,880. The county attracts commuters and enjoys proximity to Omaha's economy.

Economic hub among central counties

Saunders County's $89,395 median household income significantly exceeds Seward County ($81,122) and rural neighbors like Red Willow ($60,000). The county serves as a regional economic anchor for southeastern Nebraska.

Strong income supports robust homeownership

Saunders County's 12.5% rent-to-income ratio sits right at the sustainable threshold, indicating well-balanced housing costs. The median home value of $241,100 is easily supported by the county's median household income.

Maximize wealth-building opportunities

With median income approaching $90,000, Saunders County households enjoy substantial capacity for retirement savings, investment, and wealth accumulation. Develop a comprehensive financial plan that maximizes employer benefits, tax-advantaged savings, and long-term asset growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Saunders County

via HealthByCounty

Saunders exceeds national health benchmarks

At 78.0 years, Saunders County residents live 1.6 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Its 12.5% poor/fair health rate is one of the lowest in this sample, well below the national average of 17.9%.

Above-average longevity, strong coverage

Saunders County's 78.0-year life expectancy surpasses Nebraska's 77.5-year average by 0.5 years. Its 5.3% uninsured rate is significantly better than the state's 8.1%, placing it among Nebraska's best for insurance coverage.

Moderate primary care, limited mental health

Saunders offers 44 primary care providers per 100K—mid-range for the region—and 43 mental health providers per 100K, the lowest in this sample. This mental health gap may create barriers for residents needing behavioral health services.

Good coverage, tight mental health capacity

With 5.3% uninsured, Saunders County ensures most residents have insurance protection. However, at just 43 mental health providers per 100K, the county faces a significant shortage in behavioral health services relative to its peers.

Stay covered in Saunders

Saunders County's 5.3% uninsured rate is well below state average—but if you're among the uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to find affordable plans.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Saunders County

via RiskByCounty

Saunders sits slightly above national average

Saunders County's composite risk score of 29.10 falls in the 'Very Low' category but moderately exceeds the national average. Residents face somewhat more natural disaster exposure than typical U.S. counties, though risk remains manageable.

Middle-range risk profile for Nebraska

At 29.10, Saunders County slightly exceeds Nebraska's state average of 25.80, ranking it in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county presents a more challenging hazard profile than most Nebraska locations but remains safer than its eastern and central neighbors.

Comparable to central Nebraska counties

Saunders County's risk score of 29.10 aligns closely with neighboring Dodge and Butler counties but runs higher than western and southern neighbors. Its location in east-central Nebraska places it in a transitional zone between lower-risk western counties and higher-risk eastern areas.

Wildfire and tornado risks are principal concerns

Wildfire risk scores 72.23 and tornado risk reaches 59.41, making these Saunders County's dominant natural hazards. Flood risk of 32.47 presents a secondary threat, particularly for properties near the Platte River and its tributaries.

Prioritize wind and flood protection

Ensure your homeowners policy includes comprehensive windstorm and tornado coverage—essential for Saunders County's severe convective storm season. Evaluate flood insurance carefully, especially if you're in a mapped floodplain or near waterways; wildfire coverage matters for rural properties.

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.