Garden
Nebraska

What stands out

If you had to describe Garden County in numbers, start here: home internet speed is among the slowest in America (43 Mbps), population growth is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.2% a year), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Nebraska it ranks 7th of 93 counties for home internet speed, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Garden County, Nebraska. 1,778 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -21).

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 $47,139 a year, lower than 84% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,761. Unemployment runs 2.0%, lower than 95% of American counties. 16% of workers work from home.

Nebraska takes 3.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,844 a year.

Home

The median home costs $189K, cheaper than 67% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $836 a month. Property tax is 1.23% of home value, roughly $1,131 a year on that median home, higher than 74% of American counties. 80% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.2 per 1,000 residents, lower than 82% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 74.0 years, shorter than 70% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 5.6 per 10,000 people. 9.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 83% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

82% 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 50°F, highs near 65 and lows near 36, colder than 74% of American counties. About 18 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 8 out of 100, safer than 92% of American counties; the county has had 13 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 43 Mbps down, slower than almost every county in America. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.