1st Advantage MortgageChase County (3,671 residents) has a $68,173 median household income and $800 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Nebraska before sharing details.
On this page
- First look: Chase County, NE
- Where Chase County works
- Earnings across Chase County households
- Where Chase County differs from the rest of Nebraska
- What it costs to live in Chase County
- Places inside Chase County
- The counties around Chase County
- Budget math at the Chase County median
- What the numbers mean for Chase County borrowers
- Age, degrees and coverage in Chase County
- Checklist for Chase County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
- Other Nebraska guides
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Chase County, NE
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Chase County's population at 3,671; only 60 of Nebraska's 93 county-level areas are larger. Chase County spans 894 square miles; with 3,671 people, that is 4.1 per square mile. Chase County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Imperial, about 2,210 residents (60% of Chase County); 5 Census places in all. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Chase County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Where Chase County works
Education and health care employs 19% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 17%. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 17% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. 1.9% of Chase County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 65% of Chase County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 10% need 45 or more. Only 1.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Chase County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 18.9% | -5.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 17.2% | +12.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 10.2% | +8.0 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.4% | -1.9 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Earnings across Chase County households
Chase County households have a median income of $68,173 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 51st of 93 in Nebraska.
| Income band | Share in Chase County | Difference from Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 17.2% | -3.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 53.6% | +11.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | -3.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -4.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Chase County households make $100,000 or more, and 17% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 7.5%, 3 points lower than the state's 10.6%. None of these numbers decides a Chase County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Where Chase County differs from the rest of Nebraska
Where Chase County lands at the extremes of Nebraska's county rankings:
- On the uninsured rate, Chase County sits near the top of Nebraska at 11.2%, 5th highest of 93. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
- Chase County ranks 13th lowest of 92 Nebraska counties for households without a vehicle: 1.8%, against 5.4% statewide. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
What it costs to live in Chase County
Half of Chase County renters pay more than $800 a month and half pay less; the Nebraska midpoint is $1,072. About 3 in 10 Chase County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. Median value $165,900; median income $68,173; ratio 2.4. The ownership rate is 79%. Half the housing stock was built before 1965.
| Home costs | Chase County | Nebraska | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $800/mo | $1,072/mo | 25% lower |
| Median home value | $165,900 | $238,600 | 30% lower |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | +12.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 32% | 45% | -13.2 pts |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 22% | +12.4 pts |
| Mobile homes | 6.7% | 2.9% | +3.8 pts |
| Vacant units | 21% | 8% | +13.5 pts |
Because most Chase County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Places inside Chase County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Chase County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 2,807 people, so roughly 24% of residents live outside any named place. No Chase County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Imperial | city | 2,210 | $74,176 | $904 | 3 mi |
| Wauneta | village | 531 | $47,143 | $630 | 19 mi |
| Enders | CDP | 46 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Lamar | village | 20 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Champion | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
The counties around Chase County
Distances run center to center, from Perkins County at 23 miles out to Hitchcock County at 42. Income ranges from $51,567 in Hitchcock County to $72,778 in Perkins County; 2 of these neighbors top Chase County's median. The list crosses into Colorado, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chase County | - | $68,173 | $800/mo | 79% |
| Perkins County, NE | 23 mi | $72,778 | $922/mo | 79% |
| Dundy County, NE | 24 mi | $58,922 | $656/mo | 74% |
| Hayes County, NE | 34 mi | $69,250 | $508/mo | 68% |
| Phillips County, CO | 34 mi | $64,674 | $999/mo | 72% |
| Sedgwick County, CO | 42 mi | $52,386 | $774/mo | 72% |
| Hitchcock County, NE | 42 mi | $51,567 | $714/mo | 79% |
Budget math at the Chase County median
Chase County's $68,173 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Monthly gross at the median, Chase County: $5,681
- Median rent: $800, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,472: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Chase County borrowers
Based on the Chase County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Chase County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Older households. A 45.0 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Age, degrees and coverage in Chase County
In Chase County, 24% of adults have at least a four-year degree (35% in Nebraska). About 11% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Chase County | Difference from Nebraska | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.1% | -10.4 pts | +2.0 pts |
| Median age | 45.0 | +7.8 yrs | +3.5 yrs |
| No health insurance | 11.2% | +4.0 pts | +3.4 pts |
| No vehicle | 1.8% | -3.7 pts | -3.7 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.5% | -3.1 pts | -5.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.8% | +3.0 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 9.8% | -1.2 pts | +1.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.9% | -1.1 pts | -2.5 pts |
| Commute length | Chase County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 65.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.5% |
| 60+ min | 8.7% |
Checklist for Chase County applicants
Quick steps for Chase County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Chase County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A Nebraska license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
Chase County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the Nebraska state guide for the statewide picture.
Other Nebraska guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Chase County a high-income county?
Its $68,173 median ranks 51st of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Can a Chase County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $800 median rent and $5,681 median monthly income, rent alone uses 14%; add other debts before a new payment.
Should Chase County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 79% of Chase County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
How many towns are in Chase County?
The Census Bureau counts 5 places mainly in the county, led by Imperial, Wauneta, Enders, Lamar, Champion.
Are Chase County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.