Box Butte
Nebraska

What stands out

If you had to describe Box Butte County in numbers, start here: the overdose death rate is among the lowest in America (-999 per 100,000), rainfall is in the bottom 11% of American counties (19 inches a year), and unemployment is in the bottom 13% of American counties (2.4%). Within Nebraska it ranks 10th of 93 counties for the overdose death rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Box Butte County, Nebraska. 10,778 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -10).

Nebraska stopped taxing Social Security in 2025 and is cutting its top income-tax rate toward 3.99%. Property taxes are among the highest in the country as a share of home value, which is the state's longest-running political fight. Omaha and Lincoln hold most of the population and jobs; the state has the country's only unicameral legislature and publicly owned electric utilities.

Money

The typical household here brings in $67,893 a year, higher than 69% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,253. Unemployment runs 2.4%, lower than 87% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Nebraska takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,788 a year.

Home

The median home costs $177K, cheaper than 73% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $798 a month. Property tax is 1.52% of home value, roughly $2,455 a year on that median home, higher than 86% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 71% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.4 years, longer than 56% of American counties. There are 11 active physicians in the county, about 10.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 9.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.84 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 76% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

67% of eligible voters turned out. Under Nebraska law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is legal with limits, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 49°F, highs near 63 and lows near 35, colder than 78% of American counties. About 19 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 20 out of 100, safer than 80% of American counties; the county has had 9 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 241 Mbps down, faster than 70% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.