1st Advantage MortgageIn Dundy County, Nebraska, the typical household earns $58,922 a year and the typical rent is $656. 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
- Dundy County by the numbers
- How much Dundy County households make
- How Dundy County residents earn a living
- Renting and owning in Dundy County
- Regional comparison for Dundy County
- Towns and communities in Dundy County
- Budget math at the Dundy County median
- Dundy County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Dundy County
- Nebraska rules that apply in Dundy County
- Four steps for Dundy County borrowers
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Dundy County by the numbers
Dundy County is home to about 1,736 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 77th most populous of 93 county-level areas in Nebraska. Spread over 920 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.9 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Dundy County is not part of any metropolitan area. Benkelman is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 905 people (52% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Dundy County estimates can move a lot between releases.
How much Dundy County households make
At $58,922, the typical Dundy County household income is 10% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 82nd of 93.
| Households earning | Dundy County | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.7% | +9.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.1% | +3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.5% | -8.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -4.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Dundy County households make $100,000 or more, and 31% make less than $35,000. 14.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.453 (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.
How Dundy County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Dundy County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 27% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (22%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Dundy County averages 0.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). About 78% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Dundy County | Gap to Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.3% | +2.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.7% | +17.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.6% | +0.5 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 5.4% | +3.2 pts |
| Public administration | 5.0% | +0.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Renting and owning in Dundy County
A typical Dundy County rental runs $656 a month including utilities, which is 39% below Nebraska. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 34% of renter households here. With a median value of $143,400, a typical Dundy County house costs 2.4 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 74%. Median construction year: 1948.
| Housing | Dundy County | Nebraska statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $656/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $143,400 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 22% | n/a |
Because most Dundy 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.
Regional comparison for Dundy County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 42 miles). Income ranges from $51,567 in Hitchcock County to $69,250 in Hayes County; 4 of these neighbors top Dundy County's median. Some neighbors are in Colorado and Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Dundy County resident follows Nebraska rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dundy County | - | $58,922 | $656/mo | 74% |
| Chase County, NE | 24 mi | $68,173 | $800/mo | 79% |
| Cheyenne County, KS | 27 mi | $55,429 | $656/mo | 78% |
| Hitchcock County, NE | 34 mi | $51,567 | $714/mo | 79% |
| Yuma County, CO | 41 mi | $60,545 | $942/mo | 69% |
| Hayes County, NE | 41 mi | $69,250 | $508/mo | 68% |
| Rawlins County, KS | 42 mi | $67,742 | $817/mo | 71% |
Towns and communities in Dundy County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 65% of Dundy County residents live in one of the 4. Live in one of these Dundy County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Benkelman | city | 905 | $42,188 | $700 | 12 mi |
| Haigler | village | 195 | $45,313 | $821 | 18 mi |
| Max | CDP | 27 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
| Parks | CDP | 10 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Budget math at the Dundy County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Dundy County's medians:
- Start: $4,910 gross per month ($58,922 / 12)
- Median rent: $656, or 13 cents of every gross dollar
- Under a 36% cap, $1,768 total minus rent leaves $1,112
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,455 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Dundy County households compared
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. 5.5% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Dundy County | Nebraska statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.4 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.2% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.9% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.5% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.2% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.0% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.3% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Dundy County
Where the Dundy County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Older households. A 46.4 median age means fixed-income borrowing is common; a fixed payment and short term limit risk.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Nebraska rules that apply in Dundy County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Dundy County resident can confirm its license with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: Nebraska guide.
Four steps for Dundy County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Dundy County:
- Price the Dundy County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Dundy County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Dundy County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Nebraska guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Dundy County earn?
The median is $58,922; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 31% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Dundy County?
$656 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
Which towns does the Dundy County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Benkelman, Haigler, Max, Parks.
Can Dundy County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Nebraska county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Dundy County?
Start with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.