1st Advantage MortgageKearney County (6,713 residents) has a $78,631 median household income and $857 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Kearney County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Kearney County, NE: the basics
- How Kearney County residents earn a living
- Kearney County income bands
- How Kearney County ranks in Nebraska
- What it costs to live in Kearney County
- Minden and the rest of Kearney County
- The counties around Kearney County
- What a median Kearney County budget can carry
- Before borrowing in Kearney County
- Kearney County households compared
- Verifying a lender from Kearney County
- A Kearney County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Kearney County, NE: the basics
With an estimated 6,713 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Kearney County ranks 43rd of 93 in Nebraska for population. Spread over 516 square miles, that works out to roughly 13.0 residents per square mile. Kearney County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 5 Census places inside Kearney County, Minden leads by population with about 3,108; 5 of the 5 are incorporated. At 6,713 people, Kearney County is a small survey sample, so small differences in these figures may be noise.
How Kearney County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Kearney County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (12%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 12% of workers here, versus 4% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Kearney County averages 1.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). 35% of Kearney County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 7% need 45 or more. 26 Kearney County households, 0.9%, have no vehicle.
| Sector | Kearney County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.9% | -0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.4% | +8.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.3% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.0% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.1% | +2.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.8% | 0.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Kearney County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Kearney County income bands
Kearney County households have a median income of $78,631 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 15th of 93 in Nebraska.
| Band | Kearney County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.1% | -2.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.9% | +0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.1% | -1.3 pts |
18% under $35,000 and 37% at $100,000 or more: that is the Kearney County income split. Census counts 7.2% of Kearney County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Nebraska. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.470 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Kearney County median.
How Kearney County ranks in Nebraska
Out of every Nebraska county, Kearney County is most unusual on these measures.
- Kearney County ranks 3rd lowest of 92 Nebraska counties for households without a vehicle: 0.9%, against 5.4% statewide. Car ownership is close to universal, and so are repair bills.
- Few Nebraska counties match Kearney County on the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 34% here, 35% for the state, ranking 7th highest of 93. More graduates often means more student debt to factor in.
- Kearney County ranks 9th lowest of 93 Nebraska counties for the housing vacancy rate: 6%, against 8% statewide. Low vacancy tends to push rents up over time.
What it costs to live in Kearney County
$857 a month is the median gross rent in Kearney County, 20% below the state. By the Census definition, 26% of Kearney County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $223,400, a typical Kearney County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 77%, renters 23%. The median home was built in 1963, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills. Against the median U.S. county, Kearney County rent is 2% below.
| Cost | Kearney County | Nebraska figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 45% | -19.2 pts |
| Owners | 77% | 67% | +10.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 22% | -2.5 pts |
| Median gross rent | $857/mo | $1,072/mo | 20% lower |
| Median home value | $223,400 | $238,600 | 6% lower |
With 77% of Kearney County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Minden and the rest of Kearney County
Places, by size: the top 5 of 5. Roughly 35% of Kearney County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Minden and every other Kearney County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minden | city | 3,108 | $68,449 | $823 | 1 mi |
| Axtell | village | 818 | $72,083 | $1,115 | 10 mi |
| Wilcox | village | 336 | $66,250 | $678 | 15 mi |
| Heartwell | village | 97 | $52,500 | $825 | 9 mi |
| Norman | village | 36 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
The counties around Kearney County
Six nearby counties, 23 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. None of the six report a higher median household income than Kearney County; Buffalo County is highest at $75,911 and Franklin County lowest at $60,195.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kearney County | - | $78,631 | $857/mo | 77% |
| Franklin County, NE | 23 mi | $60,195 | $691/mo | 83% |
| Adams County, NE | 24 mi | $68,365 | $857/mo | 70% |
| Phelps County, NE | 24 mi | $68,919 | $815/mo | 68% |
| Buffalo County, NE | 25 mi | $75,911 | $936/mo | 66% |
| Webster County, NE | 33 mi | $64,347 | $647/mo | 81% |
| Harlan County, NE | 33 mi | $70,625 | $657/mo | 86% |
What a median Kearney County budget can carry
Here is the Kearney County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,553 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $857 uses 13%
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,436 a month
- At 45%, room after rent is $2,092 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Kearney County
Where the Kearney County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Consolidating cards in Kearney County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Kearney County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Kearney County households compared
Degree holders: 34% of adults over 25. Health coverage gaps: 6.1% of Kearney County residents are uninsured.
| Indicator | Kearney County | +/- Nebraska | +/- U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| No vehicle | 0.9% | -4.5 pts | -4.5 pts |
| Poverty rate | 7.2% | -3.4 pts | -6.0 pts |
| Work from home | 8.0% | -3.1 pts | -0.7 pts |
| Median age | 40.2 | +3.0 yrs | -1.3 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 6.1% | -1.7 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.7% | -1.4 pts | -2.7 pts |
| No health insurance | 6.1% | -1.1 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.5% | -0.1 pts | +12.3 pts |
| Minutes to work | Kearney County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 34.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 3.7% |
Verifying a lender from Kearney County
Consumer lenders serving Kearney County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Nebraska that is the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Nebraska: Nebraska personal loans.
A Kearney County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Kearney County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Nebraska borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
Next step up from Kearney County:
Frequently asked questions
Is Kearney County a high-income county?
Its $78,631 median ranks 15th of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Kearney County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $857 a month; 26% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Can Kearney County owners borrow against a $223,400 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
I live near Minden. Which guide is mine?
This one. Minden and the rest of Kearney County have no separate city guide.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Kearney County or elsewhere in Nebraska, the same rules apply.