countyscore
63.2
County Score
Water Quality 86Safety 78.2Disaster Risk 74

County Report Card

About Valley County, Nebraska

Valley County Exceeds National Expectations

With a 62.5 composite score, Valley County ranks well above the 50.0 national median. It provides a robust balance of affordability and public services.

Outperforming the State Average

Valley County's score of 62.5 puts it ahead of the Nebraska state average of 59.3. It is a reliable performer among the state's rural counties.

Clean Water and Low Housing Costs

A high Water Score of 86.0 and a Cost Score of 75.0 are the county's primary strengths. Median gross rent is particularly attractive at just $616 per month.

High Tax Rates and Lower Incomes

The Tax Score is a low 10.7 due to a 1.552% effective tax rate, among the highest in the area. Median household income also lags at $58,902.

The Budget-Friendly Wellness Choice

Valley County is an excellent choice for remote workers or retirees looking for cheap rent and clean water. It offers a high quality of life for those who can manage the local tax structure.

20406080100187278.273.571.439.2748642.1Tax18Cost72Safety78.2Health73.5Schools71.4Income39.2Risk74Water86Weather42.163.2/100
This county
National avg
6 above average3 below average

Valley County DNA

D+overall

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

Valley County scores above average across most dimensions. It's a well-balanced county with particular strength in Water Quality (86/100).

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
18-34
Cost
72+24
Safety
78.2+23.200000000000003
Health
73.5+23.5
Schools
71.4+17.400000000000006
Income
39.2-11.799999999999997
Risk
74+27
Water
86+28
Weather
42.1-13.899999999999999
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Valley County?

Many homeowners in Valley 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

$154,600

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$626/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$154,600/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$25,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $61,852/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
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Counties with similar scores

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Cook County
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Ralls County
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Stokes County
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Edgefield County
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Baca County
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Baker County
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Median income: $46,012
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Nearby counties

Sherman County
Nebraska
63.4
Garfield County
Nebraska
68
Greeley County
Nebraska
65.4
Howard County
Nebraska
66.4
Wheeler County
Nebraska
77.8
Loup County
Nebraska
83.9
Custer County
Nebraska
58.1
Boone County
Nebraska
67.8

Deep Dives

Valley County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Valley County

via TaxByCounty

Valley County taxes above national median

Valley County's 1.552% effective tax rate sits just below the national median of 1.58%, placing it near the national norm. At $1,897 annually on a median home of $122,200, residents pay roughly 70% of the national median tax of $2,690.

Second-highest rate in Nebraska

Valley County's 1.552% rate ranks as the second-highest in Nebraska, about 21% above the state average of 1.281%. Its median tax of $1,897 exceeds the state median of $1,972 by about 4%, reflecting slightly lower home values.

Highest taxes in the region

Valley County's 1.552% rate is the highest among area counties, surpassing Thurston (1.521%), Stanton (1.307%), and all panhandle counties. Only a handful of counties statewide match Valley's tax burden.

About $1,897 yearly on median home

Valley County homeowners with the median property value of $122,200 pay approximately $1,897 in annual property taxes. Those with mortgages pay $2,081; those without, $1,745.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Valley County's higher-than-average tax rate makes it especially worthwhile to verify that your assessment accurately reflects your home's market value. Filing an appeal with the Valley County Assessor could substantially reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Valley County

via IncomeByCounty

Valley earnings lag national benchmark

Valley County's median household income of $58,902 trails the national median of $74,755 by $15,853, or 21%. This gap reflects the rural employment constraints typical of sparsely populated Sandhills regions.

Below Nebraska's state median

Valley's $58,902 falls short of Nebraska's median of $66,880 by $7,978, placing it in the lower-middle range of county performance. The shortfall suggests limited economic diversification beyond agriculture and ranching.

Similar to other western counties

Valley ($58,902) nearly matches Sheridan ($56,900) and outpaces Sioux ($54,076), reflecting typical Sandhills economic patterns. All three share dependence on agriculture with few alternative employment centers nearby.

Housing costs remarkably low

Valley's 12.6% rent-to-income ratio is among the best here, demonstrating exceptional housing affordability. The median home value of $122,200 remains moderate, giving households meaningful purchasing power and financial breathing room.

Leverage low cost of living

Valley County's advantage lies in its extraordinarily low cost of living relative to income—a powerful wealth-building tool. Use housing savings to fund emergency reserves, participate in employer retirement matching, and explore long-term investment strategies suited to rural economies.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Valley County

via CrimeByCounty

Valley County is safer than the national norm

Valley County earns a high safety score of 99.2, with a total crime rate of 518.1 per 100,000 residents. This is substantially lower than the national average crime rate of 2,385.5.

Ranking well among Nebraska counties

The county's safety score of 99.2 is slightly above the state average of 99.0. Its total crime rate of 518.1 also beats the Nebraska state average of 626.7.

Consistently secure regional performance

Three different reporting agencies keep watch over Valley County, maintaining high safety standards. These numbers show the county is a very safe place compared to both the state and the nation.

Property crime is the primary concern

The property crime rate of 345.4 is twice as high as the violent crime rate of 172.7. While the violent crime rate is higher than the state average of 96.4, it still remains well below national figures.

Practical security for your home

Because property crimes are the most frequent incidents, simple deterrents like porch cameras can be very effective. Keeping vehicles locked and valuables out of sight helps ensure you don't become a statistic.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Valley County

via WeatherByCounty

A dry, temperate inland climate

Valley County averages 48.6°F annually, which is cooler than the national median. It receives a moderate 25.4 inches of precipitation, making it drier than many coastal or eastern regions. This climate is characterized by low humidity and clear skies.

Cooler than the Nebraska norm

At 48.6°F, Valley County is cooler than the Nebraska state average of 49.7°F. Its precipitation level of 25.4 inches is also slightly lower than the state's 25.9-inch average. It represents the cooler, drier profile typical of central Nebraska.

Cooler and drier than Sherman

Valley County is notably cooler than its neighbor, Sherman County, which averages 50.1°F. It also receives about 2 inches less annual precipitation than Sherman. This makes it a slightly more arid environment within the same geographic region.

Balanced snowfall and summer heat

The county sees 28 extreme heat days per year with a July average of 73.8°F. Winter brings 30.6 inches of snowfall and an average January temperature of 23.5°F. These conditions offer a classic four-season experience without the extreme humidity of the east.

Adapt to moderate winter snow

Homeowners should prepare for over 30 inches of snow by maintaining reliable snow blowers or plows. The 28 days of extreme heat suggest that while cooling is necessary, it is less demanding than in southern Nebraska. Xeriscaping can be an effective landscaping strategy given the moderate 25.4-inch rainfall.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Valley County

via SoilByCounty

Ideally Balanced Neutral Soils

Valley County features a pH of 6.65, sitting very close to the national median of 6.5. This provides an optimal chemical environment where most soil nutrients remain easily accessible to plants.

A Versatile Loamy Mix

The composition includes 44.3% sand, 37.5% silt, and 16.0% clay. This balanced distribution offers the best of both worlds: good drainage from the sand and nutrient capacity from the silt and clay.

Competitive Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter is strong at 3.26%, nearly reaching the state average of 3.32%. The available water capacity of 0.185 in/in also beats the state average, making the soil naturally resilient to drought.

Reliable and Productive Hydrology

While detailed drainage classes are not provided, the balanced texture suggests moderate drainage that supports healthy root growth. The soil manages to hold onto plenty of water without becoming waterlogged.

High Potential in Zone 5b

A high soil score of 69.3 makes Valley County an excellent location for any gardening project. In hardiness zone 5b, you have the perfect soil foundation for everything from orchards to expansive vegetable patches.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Valley County

via LawnByCounty

Manageable Lawn Care in Valley County

Valley County scores a 55.3 for lawn difficulty, placing it just slightly above the Nebraska average. It is situated in Hardiness Zone 5b, which is typical for central Nebraska. This score suggests that most homeowners will find success with standard lawn maintenance routines.

Stable Temperatures and Average Rainfall

The county sees 25.4 inches of annual precipitation, which matches the state average almost exactly. With 28 extreme heat days, summer stress is slightly lower than the state average of 34 days. The 2,887 growing degree days provide a consistent, though not overly aggressive, growing pace.

Balanced Soils for Better Growth

The soil pH is 6.65, sitting in the ideal range for turf health and nutrient availability. The texture is a mix of 44.3% sand and 16.0% clay, offering a balance of drainage and moisture retention. This combination helps prevent the rapid drying seen in sandier counties while avoiding the compaction of heavy clay.

Navigating Moderate Drought Conditions

Valley County faced 30 weeks of drought in the past year, though severe conditions are currently at 0%. While the area is abnormally dry, the balanced soil helps retain moisture longer than in sandier regions. Practice smart irrigation by watering early in the morning to reduce water loss from wind and heat.

Best Time to Seed in Valley

The frost-free window runs from May 5 to October 3, providing a standard Nebraska growing season. Homeowners should consider Buffalo grass for its low water needs or a Turf-type Tall Fescue for durability. Late August to mid-September is the prime time to seed to take advantage of cooler fall nights.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Valley County's county score?
Valley County, Nebraska has a composite county score of 63.2 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 Valley County rank among counties in Nebraska?
Valley County ranks #42 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 Valley County, Nebraska?
The median annual property tax in Valley County is $2,041, with an effective tax rate of 1.32%. This earns Valley County a tax score of 18/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Valley County?
The median household income in Valley County, Nebraska is $61,852 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Valley County earns an income score of 39.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Valley County, Nebraska a good place to live?
Valley County scores 63.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #42 in Nebraska. The best way to evaluate Valley 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 Valley 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.