CountyScore

Seward County

Nebraska · NE

#50 in Nebraska
71.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Seward County, Nebraska

Seward performs solidly above national median

Seward County scores 71.3, well above the national median of 50.0 and in the 71st percentile nationally. The county ranks better than approximately seven out of ten U.S. counties.

Essentially at Nebraska state average

Seward's score of 71.3 sits virtually at Nebraska's state average of 71.2, making it a representative middle-of-the-pack performer. The county exemplifies typical Nebraska livability standards.

Lower taxes and solid health outcomes

Seward County boasts a Tax Score of 68.5 with an effective tax rate of just 1.201%—among the lowest in this group. The county also scores 80.7 on health and maintains a strong Risk Score of 75.2, indicating good environmental resilience and dependable healthcare access.

Housing costs rising, income growth modest

Seward's Cost Score of 74.1 reflects a median home value of $232,400 and rent at $969/month, placing it toward the higher end of affordability among rural peers. The Income Score of 36.3, while solid, shows limited wage-growth potential compared to professional-hub counties.

Ideal for balanced lifestyle seekers

Seward County attracts families and professionals seeking a balanced blend of good health infrastructure, low taxes, moderate incomes ($81,122 median), and stable, predictable living. The county works especially well for those who value tax efficiency and healthcare access over maximal affordability or rapid income growth.

Score breakdown

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

Tax68.5Cost74.1SafetyComing SoonHealth80.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome36.3Risk75.2WaterComing Soon
🏛68.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠74.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼36.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡75.2
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 Seward County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Barbour County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,290
Marengo County
Alabama
71.3
Median income: $44,205
Clark County
Arkansas
71.3
Median income: $50,985
Jefferson County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $56,984
Lafayette County
Florida
71.3
Median income: $60,692

Deep Dives

Seward County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Seward County

via TaxByCounty

Seward's effective tax rate sits below national median

Seward County's effective tax rate of 1.201% falls below the national median, offering property owners favorable tax efficiency relative to home values. With a median property tax of $2,791, residents pay just above the national median of $2,690, despite lower effective rates—a benefit of higher-valued homes.

Seward ranks slightly below Nebraska average

At 1.201%, Seward County's effective rate trails Nebraska's state average of 1.281%, placing it in the lower-taxed half of the state's 93 counties. The median tax bill of $2,791 exceeds the state average of $1,972, reflecting Seward's stronger property values rather than elevated rates.

Moderate taxes in southeastern Nebraska corridor

Seward County's 1.201% rate represents some of the state's lower effective rates, undercutting nearby Saline (1.353%) and Saunders (1.347%) counties significantly. This makes Seward attractive for homebuyers seeking balance between property quality and tax burden.

What you'll pay annually on median home

A home valued at Seward County's median of $232,400 carries an estimated annual property tax of approximately $2,791. Homeowners with mortgages pay around $2,745, while those without mortgages pay closer to $2,841.

Many homeowners could lower taxes through appeal

Seward County homeowners benefit from competitive effective rates, but individual assessment errors can still result in unnecessary tax payments on overvalued properties. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor provides an opportunity to verify fair market valuation and potentially reduce annual taxes.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Seward County

via CostByCounty

Seward offers solid affordability with good income

Seward County's median household income of $81,122 exceeds the national average of $74,755, while its 14.3% rent-to-income ratio sits near national affordability norms. With monthly rent at $969, residents enjoy reasonable housing costs paired with above-average earning power.

Above-average income, average affordability

Seward County's rent-to-income ratio of 14.3% sits just 0.1 point above Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, placing it squarely at the state's median. With a strong $81,122 median income—third-highest among these eight counties—Seward offers stability without premium pricing.

Middle ground between rural and metro

Seward's $81,122 income falls between rural counties like Rock ($57,500) and wealthy Sarpy ($101,402), while monthly rents of $969 reflect this middle position. Home values at $232,400 similarly chart a balanced course between rural affordability and metro expense.

Balanced income, balanced housing costs

Seward households earn $81,122 annually and allocate $969 to rent or $1,105 to ownership, consuming 14.3% and 16.3% of income respectively. This moderate approach leaves roughly $5,700 monthly for all other expenses—solid but not exceptional.

Seward for the Nebraska middle ground

If you seek a middle path between rural and metro Nebraska, Seward County fits: solid income, reasonable housing, and home values around $232,400. You'll find neither exceptional bargains nor premium costs—just balanced, sustainable housing economics.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Seward County

via IncomeByCounty

Seward County income exceeds national median

Seward County's median household income of $81,122 surpasses the national median of $74,755 by about $6,367. The county ranks in the upper-middle tier of U.S. counties for household earnings.

Strong performer in Nebraska

At $81,122, Seward County's median household income exceeds Nebraska's state average of $66,880 by roughly $14,000. The county ranks in the top fourth of Nebraska's 93 counties for household earnings.

Economic leader among central counties

Seward County's $81,122 median household income exceeds Saline County ($77,027) and far outpaces rural neighbors like Red Willow ($60,000) and Rock County ($57,500). The county is an economic standout in central Nebraska.

Healthy income supports homeownership

Seward County's 14.3% rent-to-income ratio indicates manageable housing costs relative to earning power, though slightly elevated. The median home value of $232,400 remains achievable for households earning the county median.

Build substantial long-term wealth

With median income above $81,000, Seward County households can aggressively fund retirement accounts, investment portfolios, and homeownership goals. Develop a multi-decade wealth-building strategy that balances immediate needs with long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Seward County

via HealthByCounty

Seward County excels in health metrics

At 79.1 years, Seward County residents live nearly 2.7 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years. Its 11.6% poor/fair health rate ranks among this sample's best, well below the national average of 17.9%.

Strong life expectancy, excellent coverage

Seward County's 79.1-year life expectancy exceeds Nebraska's 77.5-year average by 1.6 years. Its 6.7% uninsured rate is notably better than the state's 8.1%, reflecting strong insurance uptake across the county.

Solid provider access across the board

Seward offers 63 primary care providers per 100K and 159 mental health providers per 100K, ranking mid-to-high within its peer group. These figures support reliable access to both preventive and behavioral health services.

Good coverage and balanced care access

Seward's 6.7% uninsured rate ensures strong insurance protection, and its 63 primary care and 159 mental health providers per 100K deliver well-rounded healthcare access. Residents enjoy both preventive care pathways and mental health support.

Keep coverage strong in Seward

Seward County's 6.7% 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 coverage that fits your needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Seward County

via RiskByCounty

Seward sits slightly below national average

Seward County's composite risk score of 24.87 falls in the 'Very Low' category and slightly underperforms the national average. Residents face relatively modest natural disaster exposure compared to most U.S. counties, positioning Seward as a safer-than-average location.

Marginally safer than Nebraska overall

At 24.87, Seward County falls just slightly below Nebraska's state average of 25.80, placing it in the lower-middle portion of the state's risk distribution. The county presents a nearly average hazard profile compared to other Nebraska locations.

Comparable to surrounding central-eastern counties

Seward County's risk score of 24.87 aligns closely with neighboring York, Thayer, and Fillmore counties. Its location in south-central Nebraska provides relative stability compared to higher-risk counties to the east or south.

Wildfire and tornado risks are the primary hazards

Wildfire and tornado risks score nearly identically at 72.07 and 59.92 respectively, making them Seward County's dominant natural threats. Flood risk of 22.96 presents a minor secondary concern for properties near drainage areas or river bottoms.

Ensure windstorm and fire protection coverage

Verify your homeowners policy includes comprehensive windstorm, hail, and tornado protection—standard coverage typically applies, but confirm it explicitly. If you own acreage or live near grassland, consider wildfire endorsements; standard coverage usually suffices for Seward County's moderate overall risk profile.

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.