1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Hitchcock County is $714 a month against a median household income of $51,567, about 17% of income (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Hitchcock County, and confirm each one's Nebraska license.
On this page
- Hitchcock County at a glance
- Where Hitchcock County differs from the rest of Nebraska
- Renting and owning in Hitchcock County
- Income in Hitchcock County compared with Nebraska
- How Hitchcock County residents earn a living
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Hitchcock County
- How Hitchcock County compares with nearby counties
- $4,297 a month: the Hitchcock County median budget
- Local borrowing considerations for Hitchcock County
- More Hitchcock County figures
- Nebraska lender licensing
- A Hitchcock County borrower's checklist
- Other Nebraska guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hitchcock County at a glance
Roughly 2,569 residents live in Hitchcock County, Nebraska, 71st by population among the state's 93 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 710 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Largest place: Culbertson, about 634 residents (25% of Hitchcock County); 4 Census places in all. Census margins of error grow as populations shrink; for a county of 2,569, read each figure as a range.
Where Hitchcock County differs from the rest of Nebraska
Out of every Nebraska county, Hitchcock County is most unusual on these measures.
- Median household income: $51,567 in Hitchcock County. Only 2 of 93 Nebraska counties are lower. Where incomes run low, free assistance and credit-union small-dollar loans deserve a look first.
- Few Nebraska counties match Hitchcock County on median home value: $96,700 here, $238,600 for the state, ranking 5th lowest of 93. With modest home values, equity borrowing is rarely large.
- Hitchcock County ranks 7th lowest of 93 Nebraska counties for the share of households earning $100,000 or more: 22%, against 37% statewide. Most budgets here are modest, so keep payments small.
- Few Nebraska counties match Hitchcock County on the housing vacancy rate: 29% here, 8% for the state, ranking 10th highest of 93. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
Renting and owning in Hitchcock County
Renters in Hitchcock County pay a median of $714 a month, 33% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. By the Census definition, 36% of Hitchcock County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $96,700, or 1.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 79% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1950. Nationally, Hitchcock County's $714 rent is 19% below the middle county.
| Cost | Hitchcock County | Nebraska figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 79% | 67% | +12.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 12.8% | 2.9% | +9.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 45% | -8.7 pts |
| Median home value | $96,700 | $238,600 | 59% lower |
| Median gross rent | $714/mo | $1,072/mo | 33% lower |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | +2.2 pts |
Because most Hitchcock 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.
Income in Hitchcock County compared with Nebraska
Half of Hitchcock County households take in less than $51,567 a year and half take in more, 33% below the Nebraska median of $76,475.
| Households earning | Hitchcock County | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.8% | +14.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | +1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.4% | -10.5 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.6% | -4.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of Hitchcock County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. Poverty rate, Hitchcock County: 12.8%; Nebraska: 10.6%. None of these numbers decides a Hitchcock County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Hitchcock County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 22%. Compared with Nebraska, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (22% against 4%). 1.7% of Hitchcock County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 81% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.0% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Top industries | Hitchcock County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.6% | -1.9 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.7% | +17.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 15.4% | +4.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.3% | +1.3 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 6.3% | +4.1 pts |
| Public administration | 5.8% | +1.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Hitchcock County
Places, by size: the top 4 of 4. Roughly 31% of Hitchcock County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Culbertson | village | 634 | $51,875 | $736 | 11 mi |
| Trenton | village | 487 | $45,000 | $525 | 2 mi |
| Stratton | village | 342 | $34,643 | $750 | 10 mi |
| Palisade | village | 321 | $62,813 | $781 | 12 mi |
How Hitchcock County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 25 to 42 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $53,870 in Decatur County to $70,132 in Frontier County; all six of these neighbors top Hitchcock County's median. The list crosses into Kansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hitchcock County | - | $51,567 | $714/mo | 79% |
| Hayes County, NE | 25 mi | $69,250 | $508/mo | 68% |
| Rawlins County, KS | 27 mi | $67,742 | $817/mo | 71% |
| Red Willow County, NE | 30 mi | $63,697 | $819/mo | 73% |
| Dundy County, NE | 34 mi | $58,922 | $656/mo | 74% |
| Decatur County, KS | 41 mi | $53,870 | $676/mo | 78% |
| Frontier County, NE | 42 mi | $70,132 | $666/mo | 74% |
$4,297 a month: the Hitchcock County median budget
Hitchcock County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Hitchcock County: $4,297
- Housing at the median rent of $714 uses 17%
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,134 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Hitchcock County
Based on the Hitchcock County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Mobile home upkeep. 13% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Age 45.5 at the median. Many Hitchcock County applicants document income with award letters; ask about early payoff.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
More Hitchcock County figures
In Hitchcock County, 21% of adults have at least a four-year degree (35% in Nebraska). The uninsured rate is 5.6%, against 7.2% for Nebraska.
| People and households | Hitchcock County | Compared with Nebraska | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5 | +8.3 yrs | +4.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.9% | -13.6 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 7.0% | -0.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.6% | -1.6 pts | -2.3 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.0% | -1.5 pts | -1.5 pts |
| Work from home | 7.6% | -3.4 pts | -1.1 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.8% | +2.2 pts | -0.4 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | -1.3 pts | -2.7 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Nebraska lender licensing
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Hitchcock County borrowers answers to the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Nationally, Hitchcock County residents can file with the CFPB. The Nebraska page has statewide figures to set beside Hitchcock County's.
A Hitchcock County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Hitchcock County borrowers:
- Price the Hitchcock County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Other Nebraska guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is $51,567 a good income in Hitchcock County?
It is the county median, so half of Hitchcock County households earn more and half less; 22% earn $100,000 or more.
Is Hitchcock County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $714 against $1,072 statewide, and 36% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Culbertson?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Hitchcock County, such as Trenton, Stratton, Palisade.
Will a Hitchcock County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Nebraska as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Hitchcock County?
Look it up with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.