Katherine Welles // Shutterstock
Best counties to live in Nebraska
What makes a particular county the best? Oftentimes, it's a good mix of opportunities for fun outdoor activities and cultural attractions. Throw in some historical sites, good schools, job opportunities, and affordable housing, and the county will most likely have happy residents.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Nebraska using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by a variety of factors including: public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Many counties on the list are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or home values. Others are adored for their historic or well-designed value, or devotion to cultural opportunities. Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#25. Holt County
- Population: 10,177
- Median home value: $114,100 (72% own)
- Median rent: $642 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $60,387
- Top public schools: Stuart Elementary School (A), Atkinson Elementary School (A), Chambers High School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Mary's Catholic Schools (B), St. Joseph Elementary School (unavailable), Word of Life Christian School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: O'Neill (B), Atkinson Township (B+), Atkinson (B+)
- Median home value: $114,100 (72% own)
- Median rent: $642 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $60,387
- Top public schools: Stuart Elementary School (A), Atkinson Elementary School (A), Chambers High School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Mary's Catholic Schools (B), St. Joseph Elementary School (unavailable), Word of Life Christian School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: O'Neill (B), Atkinson Township (B+), Atkinson (B+)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#24. Dawson County
- Population: 23,733
- Median home value: $102,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $730 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $53,721
- Top public schools: Morton Elementary School (B), Gothenburg Secondary School (B), Cozad High School (B)
- Top private schools: Eagle Crest Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Gothenburg (B+), Cozad (B), Lexington (B)
- Median home value: $102,600 (67% own)
- Median rent: $730 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $53,721
- Top public schools: Morton Elementary School (B), Gothenburg Secondary School (B), Cozad High School (B)
- Top private schools: Eagle Crest Academy (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Gothenburg (B+), Cozad (B), Lexington (B)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#23. Madison County
- Population: 35,080
- Median home value: $146,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $690 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $53,188
- Top public schools: Newman Grove Elementary School (A), Lincoln Elementary School (A), Bel Air Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Lutheran High School Northeast (B), Norfolk Catholic School (B), Sacred Heart Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Norfolk (B), Newman Grove (A), Battle Creek (B+)
- Median home value: $146,400 (66% own)
- Median rent: $690 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $53,188
- Top public schools: Newman Grove Elementary School (A), Lincoln Elementary School (A), Bel Air Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Lutheran High School Northeast (B), Norfolk Catholic School (B), Sacred Heart Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Norfolk (B), Newman Grove (A), Battle Creek (B+)
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Pixabay
#22. Adams County
- Population: 31,587
- Median home value: $128,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $722 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $53,023
- Top public schools: Adams Central Junior/Senior High School (B+), Kenesaw High School (B), Kenesaw Elementary School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Cecilia High School (A), St. Michael's School (unavailable), Zion Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Hastings (B+), Zero Township (B+), Verona Township (B)
- Median home value: $128,500 (66% own)
- Median rent: $722 (34% rent)
- Median household income: $53,023
- Top public schools: Adams Central Junior/Senior High School (B+), Kenesaw High School (B), Kenesaw Elementary School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Cecilia High School (A), St. Michael's School (unavailable), Zion Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Hastings (B+), Zero Township (B+), Verona Township (B)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#21. Custer County
- Population: 10,826
- Median home value: $108,100 (70% own)
- Median rent: $666 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $52,184
- Top public schools: Arnold Elementary School (A), Ansley Elementary School (A), Broken Bow High School (B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Broken Bow (B+), Arnold Township (A), Arnold (A)
- Median home value: $108,100 (70% own)
- Median rent: $666 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $52,184
- Top public schools: Arnold Elementary School (A), Ansley Elementary School (A), Broken Bow High School (B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Broken Bow (B+), Arnold Township (A), Arnold (A)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#20. Cheyenne County
- Population: 9,604
- Median home value: $103,000 (67% own)
- Median rent: $792 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $53,871
- Top public schools: Potter-Dix Elementary School (A), Sidney High School (A), Central Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Sidney (B+), Potter (B), Gurley (B)
- Median home value: $103,000 (67% own)
- Median rent: $792 (33% rent)
- Median household income: $53,871
- Top public schools: Potter-Dix Elementary School (A), Sidney High School (A), Central Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Sidney (B+), Potter (B), Gurley (B)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#19. Knox County
- Population: 8,426
- Median home value: $95,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $517 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $52,332
- Top public schools: Bloomfield Elementary School (A), Crofton Elementary School (A), Crofton High School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Rose of Lima Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Crofton (A), North Frankfort Township (B+), Verdigre Township (B)
- Median home value: $95,900 (74% own)
- Median rent: $517 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $52,332
- Top public schools: Bloomfield Elementary School (A), Crofton Elementary School (A), Crofton High School (B+)
- Top private schools: St. Rose of Lima Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Crofton (A), North Frankfort Township (B+), Verdigre Township (B)
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Canva
#18. Cherry County
- Population: 5,779
- Median home value: $116,000 (61% own)
- Median rent: $712 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $56,651
- Top public schools: Valentine Elementary School (A), Valentine Middle School (A), Cody-Kilgore High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Zion Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Valentine (B+), Cody (B+), Merriman (B)
- Median home value: $116,000 (61% own)
- Median rent: $712 (39% rent)
- Median household income: $56,651
- Top public schools: Valentine Elementary School (A), Valentine Middle School (A), Cody-Kilgore High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Zion Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Valentine (B+), Cody (B+), Merriman (B)
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Jared Winkler // Wikimedia Commons
#17. Thayer County
- Population: 5,057
- Median home value: $71,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $591 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $51,821
- Top public schools: Thayer Central Intermediate School (A), Thayer Central High School (B+), Bruning-Davenport Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: Deshler Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Hebron (B+), Bruning (B+), Chester (B)
- Median home value: $71,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $591 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $51,821
- Top public schools: Thayer Central Intermediate School (A), Thayer Central High School (B+), Bruning-Davenport Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: Deshler Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Hebron (B+), Bruning (B+), Chester (B)
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The Crumpled Pamphlet // Wikimedia Commons
#16. Fillmore County
- Population: 5,547
- Median home value: $80,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $561 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $60,313
- Top public schools: Shickley Elementary School (B+), Shickley High School (B+), Fillmore Central Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Grace Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Madison Township (A), Geneva Township (A), Geneva (B+)
- Median home value: $80,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $561 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $60,313
- Top public schools: Shickley Elementary School (B+), Shickley High School (B+), Fillmore Central Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Grace Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Madison Township (A), Geneva Township (A), Geneva (B+)
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Brad Mellema // Wikimedia Commons
#15. Hall County
- Population: 61,265
- Median home value: $146,000 (62% own)
- Median rent: $768 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $57,104
- Top public schools: Cedar Hollow School (B+), Wood River Rural Middle School (B+), Doniphan-Trumbull Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Central Catholic Middle/High School (A), Heartland Lutheran High School (B), Trinity Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Grand Island (B), Center Township (A), South Platte Township (B+)
- Median home value: $146,000 (62% own)
- Median rent: $768 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $57,104
- Top public schools: Cedar Hollow School (B+), Wood River Rural Middle School (B+), Doniphan-Trumbull Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Central Catholic Middle/High School (A), Heartland Lutheran High School (B), Trinity Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Grand Island (B), Center Township (A), South Platte Township (B+)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#14. Cuming County
- Population: 8,952
- Median home value: $122,200 (70% own)
- Median rent: $683 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $56,768
- Top public schools: West Point Elementary School (A), West Point-Beemer Junior/Senior High School (B+), Wisner-Pilger Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Guardian Angels Central Catholic High School (B+), Guardian Angels Elementary School (unavailable), St. Paul Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: West Point (A), St. Charles Township (A), Sherman Township (A)
- Median home value: $122,200 (70% own)
- Median rent: $683 (30% rent)
- Median household income: $56,768
- Top public schools: West Point Elementary School (A), West Point-Beemer Junior/Senior High School (B+), Wisner-Pilger Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Guardian Angels Central Catholic High School (B+), Guardian Angels Elementary School (unavailable), St. Paul Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: West Point (A), St. Charles Township (A), Sherman Township (A)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#13. Washington County
- Population: 20,361
- Median home value: $196,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $739 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $71,430
- Top public schools: Blair North Elementary School (A), Deerfield Elementary School (A), Blair South Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Paul Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Blair (B+), Arlington Township (A), Fort Calhoun Township (B+)
- Median home value: $196,100 (78% own)
- Median rent: $739 (22% rent)
- Median household income: $71,430
- Top public schools: Blair North Elementary School (A), Deerfield Elementary School (A), Blair South Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: St. Paul Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Blair (B+), Arlington Township (A), Fort Calhoun Township (B+)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#12. Pierce County
- Population: 7,144
- Median home value: $132,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $636 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $64,511
- Top public schools: Osmond Elementary School (A), Pierce Junior/Senior High School (B+), Pierce Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Zion Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Mary's School (unavailable), Zion Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Pierce (B+), Plainview (B), Hadar (B)
- Median home value: $132,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $636 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $64,511
- Top public schools: Osmond Elementary School (A), Pierce Junior/Senior High School (B+), Pierce Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Zion Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Mary's School (unavailable), Zion Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Pierce (B+), Plainview (B), Hadar (B)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#11. York County
- Population: 13,745
- Median home value: $135,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $713 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $60,298
- Top public schools: Heartland Community Elementary School (B+), Heartland Community High School (B+), York Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School (A), Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Joseph Catholic School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: York (B+), Benedict (B+), Bradshaw (B+)
- Median home value: $135,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $713 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $60,298
- Top public schools: Heartland Community Elementary School (B+), Heartland Community High School (B+), York Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools: Nebraska Evangelical Lutheran High School (A), Emmanuel-Faith Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Joseph Catholic School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: York (B+), Benedict (B+), Bradshaw (B+)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#10. Wayne County
- Population: 9,332
- Median home value: $137,200 (64% own)
- Median rent: $655 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $56,456
- Top public schools: Wayne High School (B+), Wayne Elementary School (B+), Wakefield Elementary School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Mary Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Wayne (A), Winside (B), Carroll (B)
- Median home value: $137,200 (64% own)
- Median rent: $655 (36% rent)
- Median household income: $56,456
- Top public schools: Wayne High School (B+), Wayne Elementary School (B+), Wakefield Elementary School (B)
- Top private schools: St. Mary Elementary School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Wayne (A), Winside (B), Carroll (B)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#9. Hamilton County
- Population: 9,215
- Median home value: $154,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $739 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $64,210
- Top public schools: Aurora Middle School (A), Aurora Elementary School (B+), Aurora High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Hampton Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Aurora (A), Hampton (B+), Giltner (B)
- Median home value: $154,300 (77% own)
- Median rent: $739 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $64,210
- Top public schools: Aurora Middle School (A), Aurora Elementary School (B+), Aurora High School (B+)
- Top private schools: Hampton Lutheran School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Aurora (A), Hampton (B+), Giltner (B)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#8. Polk County
- Population: 5,225
- Median home value: $107,300 (83% own)
- Median rent: $584 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $67,719
- Top public schools: Osceola Elementary School (A), Cross County Elementary School (B+), Shelby-Rising City Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Stromsburg (A), Shelby (B+), Osceola (B+)
- Median home value: $107,300 (83% own)
- Median rent: $584 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $67,719
- Top public schools: Osceola Elementary School (A), Cross County Elementary School (B+), Shelby-Rising City Middle School (B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Stromsburg (A), Shelby (B+), Osceola (B+)
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Jasperdo // Flickr
#7. Buffalo County
- Population: 49,209
- Median home value: $174,800 (65% own)
- Median rent: $779 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $59,431
- Top public schools: Meadowlark Elementary School (A), Glenwood Elementary School (A), Buffalo Hills Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Kearney Catholic High School (B), Zion Lutheran School (unavailable), Faith Christian School of Kearney (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Kearney (A), Riverdale (B+), Amherst (B)
- Median home value: $174,800 (65% own)
- Median rent: $779 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $59,431
- Top public schools: Meadowlark Elementary School (A), Glenwood Elementary School (A), Buffalo Hills Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Kearney Catholic High School (B), Zion Lutheran School (unavailable), Faith Christian School of Kearney (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Kearney (A), Riverdale (B+), Amherst (B)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#6. Nemaha County
- Population: 6,973
- Median home value: $106,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $563 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $51,828
- Top public schools: Johnson Elementary School (A), Calvert Elementary School (A), Auburn High School (A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Auburn (A), Peru (A), Johnson (B+)
- Median home value: $106,300 (73% own)
- Median rent: $563 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $51,828
- Top public schools: Johnson Elementary School (A), Calvert Elementary School (A), Auburn High School (A)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Auburn (A), Peru (A), Johnson (B+)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#5. Seward County
- Population: 17,171
- Median home value: $168,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $724 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $70,389
- Top public schools: Seward Middle School (A), Seward Elementary School (A), Seward High School (A)
- Top private schools: St. John Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Paul Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Vincent de Paul School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Seward (A), Milford (B+), Utica (B+)
- Median home value: $168,200 (72% own)
- Median rent: $724 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $70,389
- Top public schools: Seward Middle School (A), Seward Elementary School (A), Seward High School (A)
- Top private schools: St. John Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Paul Lutheran School (unavailable), St. Vincent de Paul School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Seward (A), Milford (B+), Utica (B+)
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Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons
#4. Dawes County
- Population: 8,810
- Median home value: $125,200 (65% own)
- Median rent: $713 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $50,750
- Top public schools: Chadron Middle School (A), Chadron Senior High School (A), Chadron Intermediate School (B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Chadron (A)
- Median home value: $125,200 (65% own)
- Median rent: $713 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $50,750
- Top public schools: Chadron Middle School (A), Chadron Senior High School (A), Chadron Intermediate School (B+)
- Top private schools:
- Top places to live: Chadron (A)
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Jared Winkler // Wikimedia Commons
#3. Sarpy County
- Population: 181,232
- Median home value: $195,300 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,006 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $82,032
- Top public schools: Liberty Middle School (A), Papillion La Vista South High School (A), Aspen Creek Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Gross Catholic High School (A), Cornerstone Christian School (A), St. Columbkille School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Papillion (A), Gretna (A), Chalco (A)
- Median home value: $195,300 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,006 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $82,032
- Top public schools: Liberty Middle School (A), Papillion La Vista South High School (A), Aspen Creek Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Gross Catholic High School (A), Cornerstone Christian School (A), St. Columbkille School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Papillion (A), Gretna (A), Chalco (A)
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Katherine Welles // Shutterstock
#2. Lancaster County
- Population: 313,158
- Median home value: $177,400 (60% own)
- Median rent: $852 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $60,527
- Top public schools: Lincoln East High School (A+), Lux Middle School (A), Southwest High School (A)
- Top private schools: Pius X High School (A), Lincoln Christian School (A), Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Lincoln (A), Waverly (A), Hickman (A)
- Median home value: $177,400 (60% own)
- Median rent: $852 (40% rent)
- Median household income: $60,527
- Top public schools: Lincoln East High School (A+), Lux Middle School (A), Southwest High School (A)
- Top private schools: Pius X High School (A), Lincoln Christian School (A), Lincoln Lutheran Middle/High School (B+)
- Top places to live: Lincoln (A), Waverly (A), Hickman (A)
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JonClee86 // Wikicommons
#1. Douglas County
- Population: 560,617
- Median home value: $169,800 (62% own)
- Median rent: $934 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $64,629
- Top public schools: Millard North High School (A+), Elkhorn South High School (A+), Elkhorn Grandview Middle School (A+)
- Top private schools: Brownell Talbot School (A+), Mount Michael Benedictine High School (A+), Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (A+)
- Top places to live: Omaha (A), Bennington (A), Ralston (A)
- Median home value: $169,800 (62% own)
- Median rent: $934 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $64,629
- Top public schools: Millard North High School (A+), Elkhorn South High School (A+), Elkhorn Grandview Middle School (A+)
- Top private schools: Brownell Talbot School (A+), Mount Michael Benedictine High School (A+), Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart (A+)
- Top places to live: Omaha (A), Bennington (A), Ralston (A)
