CountyScore

Thurston County

Nebraska · NE

#81 in Nebraska
65.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Thurston County, Nebraska

Thurston exceeds national average by 32%

Thurston County's composite score of 65.9 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by roughly one-third, indicating solid livability despite falling below state averages. The county performs decently in an absolute sense, though unevenly across dimensions.

Thurston lags behind Nebraska average

At 65.9, Thurston County falls notably below Nebraska's state average of 71.2 by more than 5 points, ranking it among the lower-performing counties in this group. It represents one of the weaker options within the state.

Thurston shines on housing affordability

The county scores 85.9 on Cost with a median home value of just $105,100 and rent of $698, offering exceptional housing bargains. This is Thurston's clearest competitive advantage among the measured dimensions.

Health and taxes are significant concerns

Thurston's Health Score of 56.5 is the lowest in this group, raising questions about community wellness and healthcare availability. The effective tax rate of 1.521% is also the highest, and the Income Score of 25.7 reflects modest earnings.

Only for the cost-conscious and committed

Thurston County suits budget-focused families willing to trade health and tax convenience for rock-bottom housing costs. It requires residents who are self-sufficient regarding healthcare or willing to travel for services, and who prioritize savings above all else.

Score breakdown

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

Tax59.5Cost85.9SafetyComing SoonHealth56.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.7Risk73.6WaterComing Soon
🏛59.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.6
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 Thurston County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Siskiyou County
California
65.9
Median income: $55,499
Clark County
Indiana
65.9
Median income: $72,298
Ness County
Kansas
65.9
Median income: $66,107
Boone County
Kentucky
65.9
Median income: $94,752
Clay County
Minnesota
65.9
Median income: $77,664

Deep Dives

Thurston County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Thurston County

via TaxByCounty

Thurston County taxes higher than most

At 1.521%, Thurston County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.58% by a small margin, placing it slightly above the national norm. The county's median tax of $1,599 on a median home of $105,100 is still about 41% below the national median of $2,690.

Above-average taxes for Nebraska

Thurston County's 1.521% rate ranks among the highest in Nebraska, about 19% above the state average of 1.281%. Its median tax of $1,599 exceeds the state median of $1,972 by a modest amount despite lower home values.

Priciest taxes in the panhandle

Thurston's 1.521% rate is substantially higher than nearby counties: Sheridan (1.376%), Sherman (1.224%), and Thomas (1.087%). Among panhandle counties, only Valley County (1.552%) approaches Thurston's tax burden.

About $1,599 yearly on median home

On Thurston County's median home value of $105,100, homeowners pay roughly $1,599 in annual property taxes. With a mortgage, the figure rises to $1,958; without, it drops to $1,356.

Assessment appeals could yield savings

Given Thurston County's higher tax rate, homeowners should carefully review their assessments for accuracy and consider appealing if their homes appear overvalued. The county assessor can walk through the valuation process and help identify any discrepancies with comparable properties.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Thurston County

via CostByCounty

Thurston balances modest income and rents well

Thurston County's rent-to-income ratio of 12.9% beats Nebraska's state average of 14.2%, reflecting smart housing economics despite a median income of $64,838. At $698 monthly, rents are among the region's lowest while incomes remain solid.

Strong affordability ranking statewide

Thurston County's 12.9% rent-to-income ratio places it in Nebraska's upper tier for housing affordability. The county delivers genuine relief for renters without requiring exceptional income levels.

Low rent with stable income base

Thurston's $698 rent is the second-lowest after Thomas County ($685), while median income of $64,838 exceeds Sheridan and Sioux. This creates a favorable rental environment with income support that backs up long-term stability.

Renters enjoy the bulk of the advantage

Thurston renters allocate 12.9% of income to $698 rent, while owners spend 12.2% on $662 mortgages—nearly equal despite owners' higher absolute costs. The county's affordability benefit flows primarily to renters seeking low-cost housing.

Thurston County attracts cost-conscious renters

If you're relocating to rent affordably in Nebraska while maintaining stable employment, Thurston County offers low housing costs paired with reasonable income levels. The county's combination of modest rents and fair home values makes it competitive for both renters and modest-budget buyers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Thurston County

via IncomeByCounty

Thurston earnings notably below national

Thurston County's median household income of $64,838 falls $9,917 short of the national median of $74,755, representing a 13% gap. This modest shortfall reflects lower-wage employment opportunities typical of rural regions.

Slightly below state average

Thurston's $64,838 trails Nebraska's median of $66,880 by just $2,042, placing it very near the statewide norm. The county's performance is representative of typical Nebraska rural economies.

Mid-range among county peers

Thurston ($64,838) outperforms Sioux ($54,076) and Sheridan ($56,900) but trails higher earners like Thomas ($72,708) and Stanton ($78,275). This positions it solidly in the middle tier of regional economic performance.

Housing exceptionally affordable

Thurston's 12.9% rent-to-income ratio demonstrates excellent housing affordability, second-best in this group. The median home value of $105,100 remains one of the lowest, making homeownership accessible to most working families.

Prioritize consistent savings discipline

Thurston's strong housing affordability creates opportunities for wealth building despite moderate income levels. Establish automatic monthly transfers to savings, utilize employer retirement plans fully, and seek financial literacy resources to compound small, consistent investments over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Thurston County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy crisis demands action

Thurston County residents live just 63.2 years on average—a startling 15.7 years below the U.S. average of 78.9 years and 14.3 years below Nebraska's 77.5 years. With 23.5% reporting poor or fair health, the highest rate in this cohort, the county faces a significant public health emergency.

Nebraska's most urgent health crisis

Thurston County's 63.2-year life expectancy is drastically below Nebraska's state average, marking it as the state's most challenged county in this metric. The 23.5% poor/fair health rate—eight percentage points above the state norm—underscores deep, systemic health disparities.

Provider access paradox

Despite strong infrastructure with 91 primary care providers and 488 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, the county faces severe health outcomes. This suggests barriers extend beyond provider availability into social determinants, historical inequities, and systemic health access patterns.

Insurance coverage and access gap

At 7.3%, Thurston County's uninsured rate is below the state average, yet health outcomes remain dire. This gap between insurance coverage and actual health status signals deeper issues—possibly transportation, health literacy, or historical medical mistrust—that numbers alone cannot capture.

Coverage is first step, not solution

If you're uninsured, prioritize getting covered through Medicaid or ACA plans; if you're insured, ensure you're using preventive services. For Thurston County's health to improve, communities need sustained investment in health equity, cultural trust, and addressing root causes of disparity.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Thurston County

via RiskByCounty

Thurston ranks slightly above average

Thurston County's composite risk score of 26.40 sits slightly above the national average, yet still maintains a "Very Low" risk rating overall. The county faces manageable hazard exposure comparable to typical American counties.

Near Nebraska's average risk

At 26.40, Thurston County closely mirrors Nebraska's state average of 25.80, positioning it as a middle-ground county for natural hazard exposure. The county represents typical risk conditions across the state.

Moderate risk in local context

Thurston's 26.40 exceeds many regional neighbors like Stanton (16.22) and Sherman (22.39), but falls below Thayer County (38.39). The county ranks in the mid-range of this eight-county analysis.

Tornado and wildfire dominate

Tornado risk (51.65) and wildfire risk (85.97) represent Thurston County's principal natural hazards, with wildfire showing the highest exposure levels. Flood risk (18.96) poses a secondary concern, while earthquake risk (6.74) remains negligible.

Prioritize wildfire and tornado

Thurston County residents should ensure comprehensive coverage for both wildfire and tornado, given these dual elevated threats. Consider a tornado safe room or shelter and maintain defensible space around structures to reduce wildfire vulnerability.

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.