Garfield
Nebraska

What stands out

Three things set Garfield County apart from the other 3,142 counties: natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2 of 100), the restaurant count per person is in the top 2% of American counties (2.0 per 1,000), and violent crime is in the bottom 3% of American counties (2.8 per 1,000). Within Nebraska it ranks 11th of 93 counties for natural-hazard risk, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Garfield County, Nebraska. 1,833 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -5).

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 $64,957 a year, higher than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $42,179. Unemployment runs 2.1%, lower than 94% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Nebraska takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,655 a year.

Home

The median home costs $229K, cheaper than 52% of American counties, about 1.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $550 a month. Property tax is 1.28% of home value, roughly $1,584 a year on that median home, higher than 76% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 97% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 78.6 years, longer than 81% of American counties. There are 2 active physicians in the county, about 10.9 per 10,000 people. 7.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.37 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 95% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

66% 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 62 and lows near 37, colder than 77% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 2 out of 100, safer than 98% of American counties; the county has had 14 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 96 Mbps down, slower than 88% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 2.0 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.