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Nebraska

Nebraska

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 40
Population1,965,926
Foreign Born4.4%
Population Density26people per mi²
Median Age37.1 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
ChangingSince 2000, this state has seen significant changes in racial and ethnic composition in a short time.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
C+
Average

A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.

Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.

Cost of Living

85/100

15% below national average

A+
Affordability Ratio

117%

The Real Cost of Living in Nebraska

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $17k$31k
Comfortable $43k$64k
Luxury $135k+$210k+
Elite (Top 5%) $159k+$247k+

Economics

Overall Economy Grade
B-
Good

Solid upper-middle-class performance. The area runs slightly ahead of national economic benchmarks.

Median HHI
$75k+4.5%
Equal to US avg
Avg Net Worth
$340k
48% below US avg
WFH
10.0%
30% below US avg
Homeownership
66.5%
2% above US avg
Median Home
$224k
21% below US avg
Avg HH Debt
$17k
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate
10.3%
10% below US avg
Public Assistance
8.7%
26% below US avg
Unemployment
3.0%
19% below US avg
Median Rent
$1k
11% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B
Safe

Generally safer than 65% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
15.9
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
+38.2%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+40.7%
Homicide
0.02 / 1k Residents63% below US avg
Robbery
0.19 / 1k Residents72% below US avg
Aggravated Assault
1.52 / 1k Residents43% below US avg

Property Crime

5yr+35.6%
Burglary
1.18 / 1k Residents56% below US avg
Larceny-Theft
10.67 / 1k Residents24% below US avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.84 / 1k Residents35% below US avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+10Solidly Conservative
State Legislature of Nebraska
Nebraska Senate15D · 33R
Presidential Voting Trends for Nebraska
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B-
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
D
Poor11.5% of income
Property Rights
C
FairIJ Grade C
Firearm Rights
C+
FairFPC Grade C+
Homeschooling
C+
WeakModerate regulation

Energy independence: Importer (35% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A-
OpenFarm sales legal
Gambling Laws
B
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Growing Season173 daysstatewide average
Annual Rainfall23.4"statewide average
Elevation2,666 ftstatewide average

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
A
Resilient

Strong survivability profile. Good buffer from population centers, with manageable environmental and tactical risks.

Best Places to Live

Cities

Largest Cities in Nebraska

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-18T23:38:45.000Z

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