Hamilton
Nebraska

What stands out

What stands out about Hamilton County: high-school completion is among the highest in America (97%), violent crime is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2.8 per 1,000), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within Nebraska it ranks 6th of 93 counties for high-school completion.

Where you are

You live in Hamilton County, Nebraska. 9,400 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +100).

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 $73,254 a year, higher than 80% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,251. Unemployment runs 2.1%, lower than 94% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Nebraska takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,032 a year.

Home

The median home costs $303K, pricier than 70% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $761 a month. Property tax is 1.02% of home value, roughly $2,044 a year on that median home, higher than 61% of American counties. 81% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 98% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 80.2 years, longer than 92% of American counties. There are 17 active physicians in the county, about 18.1 per 10,000 people. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.35 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 94% of American counties. 97% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

80% 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 52°F, highs near 64 and lows near 41, colder than 64% of American counties. About 25 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 61 out of 100, riskier than 61% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 148 Mbps down, slower than 72% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.