Thurston
Nebraska

What stands out

Against every county in America, Thurston County is unusual in three ways: life expectancy is among the shortest in America (64.2 years), home internet speed is in the bottom 3% of American counties (59 Mbps), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 4% of American counties (1.3 years of income). Within Nebraska it ranks 1st of 78 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Thurston County, Nebraska. 6,716 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -28).

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 $63,459 a year, higher than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,494. Unemployment runs 3.4%, lower than 51% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

Nebraska takes 4.1% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,587 a year.

Home

The median home costs $170K, cheaper than 76% of American counties, about 1.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $725 a month. Property tax is 1.56% of home value, roughly $1,408 a year on that median home, higher than 88% of American counties. 61% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 66% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 8 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 64.2 years, shorter than almost every county in America. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 13.4 per 10,000 people. 5.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.57 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 94% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 66 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 51% 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 50°F, highs near 62 and lows near 38, colder than 74% of American counties. About 30 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 40 out of 100, safer than 60% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 59 Mbps down, slower than 97% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.