Hayes
Nebraska

What stands out

Three things set Hayes County apart from the other 3,142 counties: home internet speed is among the slowest in America (35 Mbps), unemployment is among the lowest in America (1.7%), and population growth is in the bottom 2% of American counties (-2.1% a year). Within Nebraska it ranks 3rd of 93 counties for home internet speed, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Hayes County, Nebraska. 919 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -27).

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 $59,405 a year, lower than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $38,284. Unemployment runs 1.7%, lower than almost every county in America. 16% of workers work from home.

Nebraska takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,402 a year.

Home

The median home costs $299K, pricier than 69% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $592 a month. Property tax is 1.26% of home value, roughly $1,321 a year on that median home, higher than 76% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 81% of American counties.

There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 9.5% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

79% 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 53°F, highs near 67 and lows near 39, colder than 63% of American counties. About 24 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 5 out of 100, safer than 95% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 35 Mbps down, slower than almost every county in America. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.