1st Advantage MortgageIn Cherry County, Nebraska, the typical household earns $66,270 a year and the typical rent is $916. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Cherry County at a glance
- Cherry County housing compared with Nebraska
- Household income in Cherry County
- Employment and commuting in Cherry County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Cherry County
- How Cherry County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Cherry County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Cherry County
- Cherry County households compared
- Checklist for Cherry County applicants
- Lender oversight for Cherry County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Cherry County at a glance
With an estimated 5,498 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Cherry County ranks 51st of 93 in Nebraska for population. Land area is 5,960 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (7 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Valentine, with about 2,633 residents, or 48% of the county. With so few households sampled, Cherry County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Cherry County housing compared with Nebraska
Renters in Cherry County pay a median of $916 a month, 15% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. 34% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 14% spend half or more. Home values center on $152,200, or 2.3 years of median income. The ownership rate is 61%. Median construction year: 1971.
| Housing | Cherry County | Nebraska statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $916/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $152,200 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.3% | 2.9% | n/a |
Household income in Cherry County
Cherry County households have a median income of $66,270 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 55th of 93 in Nebraska.
| Household income | Cherry County | vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.8% | +5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.9% | +8.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.5% | -9.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.7% | -3.7 pts |
Some 26% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 24% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 8.3%, 2 points lower than the state's 10.6%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.414 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Cherry County
Agriculture, forestry and mining employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 19%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 20% locally and 4% for Nebraska. The survey's unemployment rate for Cherry County averages 0.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). 6% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Cherry County workers | vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 20.4% | +16.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -5.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 14.3% | +7.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +3.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.6% | -0.8 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Cherry County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Cherry County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 3,087 people, so roughly 44% of residents live outside any named place. Live in one of these Cherry County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valentine | city | 2,633 | $56,898 | $892 | 33 mi |
| Kilgore | village | 135 | n/a | n/a | 26 mi |
| Cody | village | 125 | $72,500 | $658 | 27 mi |
| Merriman | village | 117 | $41,477 | n/a | 41 mi |
| Crookston | village | 45 | n/a | n/a | 29 mi |
| Wood Lake | village | 16 | $30,417 | n/a | 41 mi |
| Nenzel | village | 14 | $43,750 | n/a | 25 mi |
| Brownlee | CDP | 2 | n/a | n/a | 29 mi |
How Cherry County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 45 to 59 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $42,075 in Todd County to $70,147 in Grant County; 1 of these neighbors top Cherry County's median. The list crosses into South Dakota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry County | - | $66,270 | $916/mo | 61% |
| Hooker County, NE | 45 mi | $49,464 | $592/mo | 55% |
| Todd County, SD | 47 mi | $42,075 | $532/mo | 46% |
| Bennett County, SD | 53 mi | $53,750 | $617/mo | 61% |
| Thomas County, NE | 56 mi | $65,000 | $638/mo | 68% |
| Grant County, NE | 58 mi | $70,147 | $867/mo | 71% |
| Brown County, NE | 59 mi | $54,676 | $876/mo | 74% |
Budget math at the Cherry County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Cherry County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,522 a month: gross income for a household at the Cherry County median
- Rent at the median, $916, takes 17% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,072 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Cherry County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Cherry County borrowers.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Cherry County households compared
College graduates make up 25% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 9.4%, against 7.2% for Nebraska.
| People and households | Cherry County | Nebraska | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.4 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 25.3% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.8% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.4% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.3% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.3% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.4% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 68.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 8.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Checklist for Cherry County applicants
Steps that save money for Cherry County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Nebraska.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for Cherry County
Cherry County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Nebraska: Nebraska personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Nebraska guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cherry County a high-income county?
Its $66,270 median ranks 55th of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Cherry County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $916 against $1,072 statewide, and 34% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Cherry County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Valentine, Kilgore, Cody, Merriman, Crookston.
Are Cherry 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.
Is there a Cherry County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Nebraska it is the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance.