CountyScore

Thomas County

Nebraska · NE

#5 in Nebraska
79.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Thomas County, Nebraska

Thomas ranks among the nation's best

Thomas County's composite score of 79.2 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by more than 58%, placing it in the top tier of U.S. counties for overall livability. This outstanding performance spans nearly all measured dimensions.

Thomas is Nebraska's livability leader

At 79.2, Thomas County significantly outpaces Nebraska's state average of 71.2 by 8 full points, ranking it as the highest-scoring county in this group and among the best in the state. It stands out as an exceptional performer.

Thomas excels across nearly every metric

Thomas scores 87.8 on Cost with median rent of just $685, pairs that with an excellent Health Score of 84.5, and boasts a near-perfect Risk Score of 99.9. The county also offers favorable taxes at 1.087% and solid income potential of $72,708.

Income growth is the only notable constraint

Thomas's Income Score of 30.8 is strong but slightly lower relative to its other exceptional scores, with median household income of $72,708. For a county excelling elsewhere, this represents the only area for potential improvement.

The complete package for most movers

Thomas County is the standout choice for families and professionals seeking exceptional livability with low costs, excellent health, maximum stability, and reasonable taxes. It's ideal for those who want the best all-around county without geographic limitation.

Score breakdown

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

Tax71.7Cost87.8SafetyComing SoonHealth84.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.8Risk99.9WaterComing Soon
🏛71.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠87.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤84.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡99.9
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 Thomas County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Dundy County
Nebraska
79.2
Median income: $56,563
Divide County
North Dakota
79.2
Median income: $89,297
Hinsdale County
Colorado
79.3
Median income: $64,327
Harding County
New Mexico
79.3
Median income: $41,250
Bear Lake County
Idaho
79.1
Median income: $67,304

Deep Dives

Thomas County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Thomas County

via TaxByCounty

Thomas County: lowest-taxed in the nation

Thomas County's 1.087% effective tax rate ranks among the bottom 5% of all U.S. counties, far below the national median of 1.58%. At just $1,228 annually on a median home, residents pay less than half the national median tax of $2,690.

Nebraska's tax champion

Thomas County holds the distinction of Nebraska's lowest effective tax rate at 1.087%, approximately 15% below the state average of 1.281%. Its median tax of $1,228 is the lowest across all 93 Nebraska counties.

Tax leader of the panhandle

Thomas County's 1.087% rate significantly undercuts all neighboring counties: Thayer (1.137%), Sherman (1.224%), and Sioux (1.214%) all tax substantially higher. This makes Thomas a standout destination for tax-conscious property owners.

Lowest state median: $1,228 per year

On Thomas County's median home value of $113,000, homeowners pay approximately $1,228 annually—the state's lowest median tax. Homeowners with mortgages average $1,567; those without, $913.

Explore appeal options for further savings

Even in the lowest-tax county in Nebraska, homeowners with overassessed properties can appeal their valuations for potential reductions. The Thomas County Assessor's office can review whether your assessment reflects current market conditions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Thomas County

via CostByCounty

Thomas County's rents are a bargain hunt

Thomas County boasts the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this survey at just 11.3%, well below Nebraska's 14.2% state average and nationally competitive. With rents of $685 monthly and median income of $72,708, residents here enjoy genuine affordability that leaves substantial income for other needs.

Nebraska's most rental-affordable county

Thomas County's 11.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the absolute best in Nebraska, a distinction earned through low rents and respectable median income. This county stands out as a housing bargain even by state standards.

Lowest rents in the entire panhandle region

Thomas County's $685 rent is the cheapest in this cluster, underpricing Sherman ($866), Stanton ($817), and all others by significant margins. Home values of $113,000 are moderate, pairing affordability for renters and buyers alike.

Renters and owners both win here

Thomas County renters spend just 11.3% of $72,708 income on $685 rent, while owners allocate 9.2% to $556 mortgages—the lowest homeowner burden in the survey. This is the only county where both rental and ownership paths offer exceptional affordability.

Thomas County is Nebraska's affordability gem

If you're relocating to Nebraska and prioritize housing cost savings, Thomas County is unmatched in this region, offering the lowest rents and ownership costs. The combination of reasonable income ($72,708) and rock-bottom housing expenses makes it a premier destination for budget-conscious movers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Thomas County

via IncomeByCounty

Thomas nearly matches national income

Thomas County's median household income of $72,708 trails the national median of $74,755 by just $2,047, or 3%. This near-parity is exceptional for rural Nebraska and signals strong local economic management.

Outperforms Nebraska average

Thomas's $72,708 income exceeds Nebraska's state median of $66,880 by $5,828, placing it among the state's higher-earning counties. This performance reflects diversified employment and stable agricultural returns.

Strong performer in rural peer group

Thomas ($72,708) ranks second only to Stanton ($78,275) in this eight-county comparison, demonstrating above-average economic vitality. Its $42,157 per capita income is the highest here, suggesting well-distributed earnings across the population.

Lowest housing cost burden region

Thomas's 11.3% rent-to-income ratio is the best in this entire group, meaning housing eats up barely more than one-tenth of household earnings. This exceptional affordability, paired with a $113,000 median home value, creates maximum financial flexibility.

Build substantial retirement reserves

Thomas County residents enjoy both strong incomes and low housing costs—a rare combination enabling aggressive wealth building. Maximize 401(k) contributions, establish taxable investment accounts, and explore real-estate diversification beyond primary residences.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Thomas County

via HealthByCounty

Health data limited, metrics mixed

Life expectancy data is unavailable for Thomas County, limiting national comparison. The 13.7% poor/fair health rate is among the lowest in this cohort and below the national 17.9%, suggesting residents report relatively good health despite data constraints.

Best health rating despite limited data

Thomas County's 13.7% poor/fair health rate is the lowest among these eight counties, indicating residents report good overall health. Without life expectancy data, the full picture remains incomplete, but this single metric is encouraging.

Provider data unavailable, access unclear

Primary care and mental health provider data are unavailable for Thomas County, making local healthcare access difficult to assess. This data gap limits understanding of how residents access care compared to neighboring counties.

Uninsured rate slightly above state

At 8.6%, Thomas County's uninsured rate is slightly above Nebraska's 8.1% state average. Without provider availability data, it's unclear whether uninsured residents face significant barriers to care in the county.

Explore insurance options today

If you're uninsured, visit Healthcare.gov to explore Affordable Care Act plans or contact your county health department about Medicaid eligibility. Getting covered is the first step toward consistent, preventive healthcare.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Thomas County

via RiskByCounty

Thomas is the nation's safest

Thomas County's composite risk score of 0.16 ranks it among the absolute lowest-risk counties in the United States. The county's exceptional safety profile reflects minimal exposure across virtually all natural disaster categories.

Nebraska's lowest-risk county

At 0.16, Thomas County far exceeds the safety bar set by Nebraska's 25.80 state average, standing as the state's most protected area. No other county in this analysis approaches Thomas County's remarkable safety level.

Dramatically safer than peers

Thomas County's 0.16 score is incomparably lower than all neighboring counties; even Sioux County (1.37) faces nearly nine times more composite risk. The county represents an exceptional pocket of natural disaster safety.

Wildfire is minimal concern

Wildfire risk (42.21) represents Thomas County's only notable hazard exposure, yet remains moderate in absolute terms. Tornado (7.73), earthquake (2.89), and flood (0.95) risks are negligible.

Basic coverage provides security

Thomas County's exceptional safety means homeowners can focus on standard insurance without specialized disaster riders. Maintain current homeowners coverage and consider modest wildfire protection as a precaution, though overall risk remains exceptionally low.

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.