Seward
Nebraska

What stands out

Three things set Seward County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the school test score is among the highest in America (3.71 where 3.0 is grade level), violent crime is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.9 per 1,000), and unemployment is in the bottom 9% of American counties (2.2%). Within Nebraska it ranks 3rd of 77 counties for the school test score.

Where you are

You live in Seward County, Nebraska. 17,644 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +63).

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 $79,677 a year, higher than 87% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,719. Unemployment runs 2.2%, lower than 91% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 20 minutes each way.

Nebraska takes 4.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,324 a year.

Home

The median home costs $318K, pricier than 73% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $843 a month. Property tax is 1.28% of home value, roughly $2,670 a year on that median home, higher than 76% of American counties. 73% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 7 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.6 years, longer than 89% of American counties. There are 13 active physicians in the county, about 7.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 6.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.52 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than almost every county in America. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

70% 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 64 and lows near 41, colder than 64% of American counties. About 28 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 58 out of 100, riskier than 58% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 267 Mbps down, faster than 82% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.