1st Advantage MortgageJefferson County households have a median income of $59,044 and median rent of $662 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Nebraska license first.
On this page
- Who lives in Jefferson County
- Housing costs in Jefferson County
- Paychecks and income spread in Jefferson County
- The Jefferson County job picture
- The communities that make up Jefferson County
- Counties near Jefferson County
- More Jefferson County figures
- Before borrowing in Jefferson County
- Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
- Nebraska rules that apply in Jefferson County
- A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Jefferson County
Roughly 7,161 residents live in Jefferson County, Nebraska, 40th by population among the state's 93 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 570 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 13 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jefferson County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (9 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Fairbury, with about 3,888 residents, or 54% of the county. With so few households sampled, Jefferson County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Housing costs in Jefferson County
Renters in Jefferson County pay a median of $662 a month, 38% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. By the Census definition, 39% of Jefferson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $129,500, or 2.2 years of median income. Owners occupy 75% of homes.
| Home costs | Jefferson County | Nebraska | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $662/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $129,500 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Jefferson 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.
Paychecks and income spread in Jefferson County
The median household income in Jefferson County is $59,044; statewide it is $76,475, so Jefferson County runs 23% below Nebraska as a whole. Only 80 Nebraska counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Jefferson County | vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.0% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 50.9% | +9.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.3% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.8% | -6.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 25% of Jefferson County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 10.1%, the same as the state's 10.6%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.431 here. A household earning below the $59,044 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
The Jefferson County job picture
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Jefferson County residents work in education and health care and 14% in agriculture, forestry and mining. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 14% locally and 4% for Nebraska. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.2% in Jefferson County. Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Jefferson County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.2% | +1.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.7% | +9.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.6% | +1.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.6% | +3.6 pts |
| Other services | 8.1% | +3.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.2% | -3.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jefferson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Jefferson County
Here are the 9 most populous of the county's 9 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 71% of Jefferson County residents live in one of the 9. None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbury | city | 3,888 | $52,995 | $676 | 3 mi |
| Plymouth | village | 397 | $50,417 | $1,051 | 12 mi |
| Daykin | village | 195 | $89,375 | $450 | 13 mi |
| Diller | village | 179 | $78,333 | $483 | 12 mi |
| Endicott | village | 151 | $86,250 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Jansen | village | 123 | $65,625 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Harbine | village | 65 | $72,188 | $725 | 9 mi |
| Steele City | village | 62 | $30,625 | $325 | 12 mi |
| Reynolds | village | 41 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
Counties near Jefferson County
Saline County is closest, 24 miles from center to center; the sixth, Republic County, is 36 miles off. Saline County leads the group on income ($79,910), Republic County trails ($56,833), and Jefferson County out-earns 1 of the six. The list crosses into Kansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $59,044 | $662/mo | 75% |
| Saline County, NE | 24 mi | $79,910 | $914/mo | 76% |
| Thayer County, NE | 24 mi | $66,213 | $766/mo | 78% |
| Gage County, NE | 25 mi | $67,247 | $774/mo | 74% |
| Washington County, KS | 28 mi | $65,482 | $562/mo | 78% |
| Fillmore County, NE | 34 mi | $76,295 | $716/mo | 80% |
| Republic County, KS | 36 mi | $56,833 | $664/mo | 78% |
More Jefferson County figures
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 8.4%, against 7.2% for Nebraska.
| People and households | Jefferson County | Nebraska | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.4 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.2% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.4% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.6% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.2% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 58.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.1% |
| 60+ min | 4.7% |
Before borrowing in Jefferson County
What the Jefferson County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Room for a loan payment in Jefferson County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Jefferson County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,920 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $662, takes 13% of that
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,306 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Jefferson County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Nebraska rules that apply in Jefferson County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Jefferson 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.
A Jefferson County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Jefferson County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Nebraska license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson County a high-income county?
Its $59,044 median ranks 81st of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Jefferson County?
$662 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
I own my home in Jefferson County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 75% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Jefferson County?
By population: Fairbury, Plymouth, Daykin, Diller, Endicott. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Can Jefferson 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.