Howard
Nebraska

What stands out

If you had to describe Howard County in numbers, start here: high-school completion is in the top 3% of American counties (96%), home internet speed is in the bottom 6% of American counties (73 Mbps), and unemployment is in the bottom 7% of American counties (2.1%). Within Nebraska it ranks 9th of 93 counties for high-school completion.

Where you are

You live in Howard County, Nebraska. 6,476 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +23).

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 $70,766 a year, higher than 76% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,289. Unemployment runs 2.1%, lower than 93% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home.

Nebraska takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,919 a year.

Home

The median home costs $285K, pricier than 66% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $835 a month. Property tax is 1.22% of home value, roughly $2,219 a year on that median home, higher than 74% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 89% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 6 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.8 years, longer than 62% of American counties. There are 6 active physicians in the county, about 9.3 per 10,000 people. 7.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.25 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 88% of American counties. 96% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

73% 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 39, colder than 68% of American counties. About 29 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 52 out of 100, riskier than 52% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 73 Mbps down, slower than 94% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.