1st Advantage MortgageAbout 79% of Antelope County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $66,105. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Antelope County by the numbers
- Income in Antelope County compared with Nebraska
- Antelope County housing compared with Nebraska
- How Antelope County residents earn a living
- Antelope County towns compared
- Regional comparison for Antelope County
- People and households in Antelope County
- Borrowing situations common in Antelope County
- What a median Antelope County budget can carry
- Nebraska rules that apply in Antelope County
- A Antelope County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Antelope County by the numbers
With an estimated 6,305 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Antelope County ranks 46th of 93 in Nebraska for population. Land area is 857 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 7 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Antelope County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Neligh, with about 1,515 residents, or 24% of the county. Because Antelope County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Antelope County compared with Nebraska
The median household income in Antelope County is $66,105; statewide it is $76,475, so Antelope County runs 14% below Nebraska as a whole.
| Households earning | Antelope County | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +3.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.0% | +7.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.0% | -6.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.4% | -5.1 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 9.2%, 1 point lower than the state's 10.6%. A household earning below the $66,105 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Antelope County housing compared with Nebraska
A typical Antelope County rental runs $692 a month including utilities, which is 35% below Nebraska. By the Census definition, 29% of Antelope County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $130,300, a typical Antelope County house costs 2.0 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 79%.
| Antelope County | Nebraska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $692/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $130,300 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 22% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Antelope County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
How Antelope County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Antelope County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 20% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 21% locally and 4% for Nebraska. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 79% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 4.1% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Antelope County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.1% | +16.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.3% | -4.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.8 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.0 pts |
| Public administration | 6.4% | +2.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 5.7% | -4.7 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Antelope County towns compared
The table lists the 7 largest of 7 Census places in Antelope County, by population. Together all 7 hold about 3,465 people, so roughly 45% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neligh | city | 1,515 | $59,239 | $598 | 4 mi |
| Elgin | city | 642 | $59,583 | $656 | 14 mi |
| Orchard | village | 410 | $52,813 | $814 | 14 mi |
| Oakdale | village | 355 | $71,250 | $563 | 9 mi |
| Clearwater | village | 312 | $60,625 | $875 | 7 mi |
| Brunswick | village | 196 | $88,750 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Royal | village | 35 | $53,125 | n/a | 11 mi |
Regional comparison for Antelope County
Pierce County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Holt County, is 42 miles off. Boone County leads the group on income ($74,947), Madison County trails ($63,128), and Antelope County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antelope County | - | $66,105 | $692/mo | 79% |
| Pierce County, NE | 24 mi | $72,357 | $884/mo | 78% |
| Wheeler County, NE | 30 mi | $70,250 | $509/mo | 78% |
| Madison County, NE | 30 mi | $63,128 | $881/mo | 65% |
| Knox County, NE | 32 mi | $64,636 | $647/mo | 78% |
| Boone County, NE | 33 mi | $74,947 | $850/mo | 82% |
| Holt County, NE | 42 mi | $68,513 | $714/mo | 72% |
People and households in Antelope County
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Antelope County | Nebraska | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.5% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.2% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.7% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.2% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Antelope County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 53.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Borrowing situations common in Antelope County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Antelope County borrowers.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
What a median Antelope County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Antelope County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Antelope County: $5,509
- Less median rent of $692, which is 13% of it
- $1,512: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Antelope County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Nebraska rules that apply in Antelope County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Antelope County, check the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Nebraska guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Antelope County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Antelope County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Antelope County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Nebraska.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Antelope County earn?
The median is $66,105; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Antelope County?
$692 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
Does this page cover Neligh?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Antelope County, such as Elgin, Orchard, Oakdale.
Is the fit check different in Antelope County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Antelope County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Nebraska it is the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance.