1st Advantage MortgageLincoln County households have a median income of $65,148 and median rent of $900 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- A quick profile of Lincoln County
- What Lincoln County households earn
- Renting and owning in Lincoln County
- Jobs and commutes in Lincoln County
- The communities that make up Lincoln County
- Lincoln County and the counties next door
- Debt-to-income at Lincoln County's medians
- More Lincoln County figures
- Reading the Lincoln County data as a borrower
- Four steps for Lincoln County borrowers
- Lender oversight for Lincoln County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Lincoln County
Lincoln County is home to about 33,802 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 10th most populous of 93 county-level areas in Nebraska. Land area is 2,564 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 13 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lincoln County is not part of any metropolitan area. North Platte is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 22,831 people (68% of the county total).
What Lincoln County households earn
The median household income in Lincoln County is $65,148; statewide it is $76,475, so Lincoln County runs 15% below Nebraska as a whole. Only 59 Nebraska counties post a higher median.
| Yearly household income | Lincoln County | Gap to Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.1% | +5.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.0% | +3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.0% | -3.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -4.6 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. Census counts 12.4% of Lincoln County residents in poverty, against 10.6% across Nebraska. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.408 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Lincoln County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Lincoln County
A typical Lincoln County rental runs $900 a month including utilities, which is 16% below Nebraska. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 44% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,500, about 2.9 times the median household income. 66% of Lincoln County households own their home and 34% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1970.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Nebraska | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $900/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $189,500 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 66% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 44% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 22% | n/a |
Jobs and commutes in Lincoln County
The biggest employer of Lincoln County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by transportation, warehousing and utilities (16%). The sharpest difference from the state is in transportation, warehousing and utilities, at 16% locally and 6% for Nebraska. The survey's unemployment rate for Lincoln County averages 3.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). Long commutes are the exception here: 5% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Sector | Lincoln County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 15.7% | +9.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.0% | +3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -3.2 pts |
| Construction | 6.0% | -1.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
The communities that make up Lincoln County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 76% of Lincoln County residents live in one of the 7. Hershey has the highest median household income on the list ($91,458) and North Platte the lowest ($58,097), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $572 in Sutherland to $921 in North Platte. This guide covers each of the 7 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Platte | city | 22,831 | $58,097 | $921 | 5 mi |
| Sutherland | village | 1,209 | $72,857 | $572 | 21 mi |
| Hershey | village | 724 | $91,458 | $783 | 15 mi |
| Brady | village | 470 | $80,833 | $1,083 | 20 mi |
| Wallace | village | 266 | $63,125 | $732 | 26 mi |
| Maxwell | village | 174 | $87,500 | $836 | 12 mi |
| Wellfleet | village | 74 | $49,792 | n/a | 20 mi |
Lincoln County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Lincoln County's, from 37 to 48 miles away. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Lincoln County; Logan County is highest at $74,271 and McPherson County lowest at $58,684.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln County | - | $65,148 | $900/mo | 66% |
| Logan County, NE | 37 mi | $74,271 | $761/mo | 79% |
| Hayes County, NE | 39 mi | $69,250 | $508/mo | 68% |
| Frontier County, NE | 40 mi | $70,132 | $666/mo | 74% |
| McPherson County, NE | 46 mi | $58,684 | $588/mo | 65% |
| Keith County, NE | 48 mi | $60,645 | $771/mo | 71% |
| Perkins County, NE | 48 mi | $72,778 | $922/mo | 79% |
Debt-to-income at Lincoln County's medians
Here is the Lincoln County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $5,429 gross per month ($65,148 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $900 uses 17%
- $1,054: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Lincoln County's.
More Lincoln County figures
23% of Lincoln County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 6.6%, against 7.2% for Nebraska.
| Indicator | Lincoln County | All of Nebraska | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.7% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.6% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.4% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.6% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.8% |
| 60+ min | 3.5% |
Reading the Lincoln County data as a borrower
What the Lincoln County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Lincoln County borrower sees (free reports).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Lincoln County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Four steps for Lincoln County borrowers
Steps that save money for Lincoln County residents:
- Price the Lincoln County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Lincoln County-area credit union.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Lender oversight for Lincoln County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Lincoln County resident can confirm its license with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The Nebraska guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lincoln County earn?
The median is $65,148; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 26% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Lincoln County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $900 a month; 44% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Lincoln County?
By population: North Platte, Sutherland, Hershey, Brady, Wallace. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Is the fit check different in Lincoln County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Is there a Lincoln County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Nebraska it is the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance.