1st Advantage MortgageThe median Garden County household earns $41,882, and 17% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Getting oriented in Garden County
- Household income in Garden County
- Employment and commuting in Garden County
- Renting and owning in Garden County
- The counties around Garden County
- Garden County towns compared
- More Garden County figures
- Reading the Garden County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Garden County median
- Checklist for Garden County applicants
- Nebraska rules that apply in Garden County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Garden County
With an estimated 1,761 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Garden County ranks 76th of 93 in Nebraska for population. It covers 1,705 square miles of land, or about 1 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Garden County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Oshkosh, with about 807 residents, or 46% of the county. Because Garden County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Garden County
The median household income in Garden County is $41,882; statewide it is $76,475, so Garden County runs 45% below Nebraska as a whole.
| Households earning | Garden County | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 39.3% | +18.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.7% | +5.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.2% | -15.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 0.8% | -8.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 13% of Garden County households make $100,000 or more, and 39% make less than $35,000. 16.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). 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 Garden County
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Garden County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 22% in education and health care. Compared with Nebraska, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (28% against 4%). The survey's unemployment rate for Garden County averages 5.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). Long commutes are the exception here: 8% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Garden County | Gap to Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 28.1% | +23.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 22.2% | -2.2 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | +0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.8% | -3.8 pts |
| Public administration | 5.7% | +1.4 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 Garden County
Renters in Garden County pay a median of $700 a month, 35% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. By the Census definition, 56% of Garden County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $110,400, or 2.6 years of median income. The ownership rate is 79%. The median home was built in 1953, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Garden County | Nebraska | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $700/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $110,400 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 48% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 27% | 8% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Garden 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
The counties around Garden County
Arthur County is closest, 32 miles from center to center; the sixth, Cheyenne County, is 47 miles off. All of the six report a higher median household income than Garden County; Arthur County is highest at $76,250 and Morrill County lowest at $58,500.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garden County | - | $41,882 | $700/mo | 79% |
| Arthur County, NE | 32 mi | $76,250 | $750/mo | 81% |
| Grant County, NE | 34 mi | $70,147 | $867/mo | 71% |
| Deuel County, NE | 36 mi | $70,096 | $872/mo | 82% |
| Morrill County, NE | 36 mi | $58,500 | $768/mo | 77% |
| Keith County, NE | 46 mi | $60,645 | $771/mo | 71% |
| Cheyenne County, NE | 47 mi | $60,348 | $821/mo | 67% |
Garden County towns compared
3 Census places fall mainly inside Garden County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 1,032 residents, leaving about 41% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oshkosh | city | 807 | $40,391 | $744 | 16 mi |
| Lewellen | village | 207 | $41,848 | $789 | 22 mi |
| Lisco | CDP | 18 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
More Garden County figures
Degree holders: 21% of adults over 25. 8.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Garden County | Nebraska | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 49.9 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.1% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.4% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.8% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.5% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.4% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
Reading the Garden County data as a borrower
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Garden County borrowers.
- Fixed incomes. Garden County's median age is 49.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
- Tight rental budgets. With 56% of Garden County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Budget math at the Garden County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Garden County's medians:
- Start: $3,490 gross per month ($41,882 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $700, takes 20% of that
- $522: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- Under a 45% cap, $1,571 total minus rent leaves $871
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checklist for Garden County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Garden County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nebraska rules that apply in Garden County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Garden County resident can confirm its license with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Nebraska guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Nebraska guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Garden County household make?
About $41,882 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 45% below the Nebraska median.
How does Garden County rent compare with Nebraska?
$700 locally versus $1,072 for the state, 35% below.
Which towns does the Garden County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Oshkosh, Lewellen, Lisco.
Can Garden 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.
Where can someone in Garden County check a lender's license?
With the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.