countyscore
76.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 99.9Safety 97.5Schools 95

County Report Card

About Thomas County, Nebraska

Thomas County Reaches Elite Status

Thomas County's 78.9 composite score is exceptional, dwarfing the national median of 50.0. This score suggests a level of livability found in only the top tier of American counties.

A Nebraska Leader in Quality

At 78.9, Thomas County is a star performer in Nebraska, far exceeding the 59.3 state average. It sets a high bar for infrastructure, safety, and economic health.

Near Perfection in Risk and Schools

The county achieves a near-perfect Risk Score of 99.9 and an elite School Score of 95.0. These are bolstered by a high Cost Score of 89.0, keeping housing very affordable.

The Tax Burden Outweighs Other Issues

The only relatively low point is a Tax Score of 32.1, though its 1.087% rate is lower than many peers. Even with this, the county faces few significant statistical challenges.

The Gold Standard for Rural Families

Thomas County is ideal for families who want the best of everything: top schools, extreme safety, and low costs. It is arguably one of the best-kept secrets for high-quality rural living.

2040608010021.591.697.574.3954899.98637.2Tax21.5Cost91.6Safety97.5Health74.3Schools95Income48Risk99.9Water86Weather37.276.5/100
This county
National avg
6 above average2 below average

Thomas County DNA

C+overall

How Thomas County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Thomas County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Disaster Risk (99.9/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
21.5-30.5
Cost
91.6+43.599999999999994
Safety
97.5+42.5
Health
74.3+24.299999999999997
Schools
95+41
Income
48
Risk
99.9+52.900000000000006
Water
86+28
Weather
37.2-18.799999999999997
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Thomas County?

Many homeowners in Thomas County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

Check My Assessment

Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$109,200

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$638/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$109,200/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,520/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum1.7x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $65,000/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
Compare Thomas County with Judith Basin County →Share on X

Counties with similar scores

Judith Basin County
Montana
Median income: $59,000
76.5
Pleasants County
West Virginia
Median income: $60,932
76.5
Nuckolls County
Nebraska
Median income: $73,976
76.2
Wayne County
Utah
Median income: $76,607
75.8
Bath County
Virginia
Median income: $56,184
75.8
Pendleton County
West Virginia
Median income: $64,931
77.2
Wheeler County
Nebraska
Median income: $70,250
77.8
Burke County
North Dakota
Median income: $91,591
75.2

Nearby counties

Logan County
Nebraska
69.1
Blaine County
Nebraska
64.8
Hooker County
Nebraska
68.7
McPherson County
Nebraska
66.5
Brown County
Nebraska
61.2
Cherry County
Nebraska
55.8
Lincoln County
Nebraska
38.8
Arthur County
Nebraska
69.1

Deep Dives

Thomas County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 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

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

Safety in Thomas County

via CrimeByCounty

Thomas County reports a perfect safety record

Thomas County has a safety score of 100.0, reporting 0.0 total crimes per 100,000 residents in 2022. This is significantly lower than the national average total crime rate of 2,385.5.

One of Nebraska's safest jurisdictions

The county's perfect 100.0 safety score exceeds the Nebraska state average of 99.0. It is a regional standout, reporting no incidents while the state average is 626.7 crimes per 100,000 people.

Peaceful living in the Sandhills

Two local agencies reported zero crimes, making Thomas County one of the most secure areas in its region. This low-density area maintains a highly effective public safety environment.

No crimes reported in recent data

Both violent and property crime rates are 0.0 per 100,000 residents for the latest period. This indicates an extremely low-risk environment for both residents and visitors alike.

Preserve your high safety standard

A perfect score is a point of pride that depends on continued community awareness. Staying connected with neighbors and reporting suspicious activity helps keep Thomas County at the top of the safety list.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Thomas County

via SoilByCounty

The Sandy Heart of the Sandhills

Thomas County possesses a pH of 6.60, aligning perfectly with the national median for healthy plant growth. The profile is defined by an incredibly high sand content typical of the Nebraska Sandhills region.

Ultra-Sandy Composition

The soil is a staggering 85.8% sand, with only 7.2% silt and 5.7% clay. This makes for very light, easy-to-move soil that provides maximum aeration but struggles to hold nutrients or water.

Low Capacity for Water Storage

Available water capacity is very low at 0.100 in/in, significantly trailing the state average of 0.172. Organic matter is 2.26%, which helps with fertility despite the lack of moisture-holding clay.

Rapid Infiltration and Drainage

Though specific drainage class data is missing, an 85% sand content ensures that water moves through the profile almost instantly. This prevents waterlogging but means irrigation is critical for non-native species.

Native Beauty in Zone 5b

The soil score of 44.7 reflects the specialized nature of these sandy soils. Gardeners in zone 5b should embrace native prairie plants and wildflowers that have evolved to thrive in these fast-draining conditions.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Thomas County

via LawnByCounty

Sandy Terrain Challenges Thomas Lawns

Thomas County has a lawn difficulty score of 44.3, making it tougher than the state average of 54.2. The USDA Zone 5b hardiness means winters are cold, but the real challenge lies in the soil. Maintaining a traditional lawn here requires a specialized approach to watering and fertilization.

High Heat and Moderate Rain

Annual precipitation of 23.8 inches is slightly below the state average of 25.9 inches. Lawns face 34 extreme heat days per year, which is typical for Nebraska but stressful for cool-season grasses. Without supplemental water, grass will likely enter dormancy during the peak of summer.

The Challenge of Extreme Sandy Soil

Thomas County soil is a staggering 85.8% sand, meaning it holds very little water or nitrogen. The pH is a healthy 6.60, but the low 5.7% clay content means nutrients wash away quickly. Frequent, light applications of fertilizer and organic top-dressing are essential to build soil structure.

Managing Constant Moisture Loss

Drought conditions persist frequently, with 45 weeks in drought over the last year. While severe drought is currently absent, the high sand content makes any dry spell feel much more intense. Focus on selecting native grasses that naturally thrive in sandy, dry environments to reduce water dependency.

Zone 5b Seeding Strategies

In Zone 5b, timing is everything to avoid the drying effects of late spring winds. While specific local frost dates are limited, aiming for a late summer seeding allows roots to establish before the sand freezes. Fine Fescue varieties are particularly well-suited for the excellent drainage found in this county.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Thomas County's county score?
Thomas County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 76.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Thomas County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Thomas County ranks #3 among all counties in Nebraska on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Thomas County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Thomas County is $1,364, with an effective tax rate of 1.25%. This earns Thomas County a tax score of 21.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Thomas County?
The median household income in Thomas County, Nebraska is $65,000 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Thomas County earns an income score of 48/100 on CountyScore.
Is Thomas County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Thomas County scores 76.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #3 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Thomas County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Thomas County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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