1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Nemaha County is $774 a month against a median household income of $77,348, about 12% of income (ACS 2020-24). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Nemaha County
- What it costs to live in Nemaha County
- Nemaha County's most unusual numbers
- Where Nemaha County works
- Nemaha County income bands
- Seneca and the rest of Nemaha County
- Nemaha County next to its neighbors
- Nemaha County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Nemaha County
- $6,446 a month: the Nemaha County median budget
- Kansas lender licensing
- Four steps for Nemaha County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Nemaha County
With an estimated 10,160 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Nemaha County ranks 38th of 105 in Kansas for population. It covers 717 square miles of land, or about 14 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Nemaha County is not part of any metropolitan area. Largest place: Seneca, about 2,090 residents (21% of Nemaha County); 10 Census places in all.
What it costs to live in Nemaha County
$774 a month is the median gross rent in Nemaha County, 27% below the state. By the Census definition, 36% of Nemaha County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $217,200, a typical Nemaha County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 78%.
| Housing | Nemaha County | Kansas statewide | Nemaha County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 78% | 67% | +10.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 43% | -7.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 22% | -6.9 pts |
| Median gross rent | $774/mo | $1,060/mo | 27% lower |
| Vacant units | 11% | 9% | +1.4 pts |
| Median home value | $217,200 | $217,200 | level |
With 78% of Nemaha County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Nemaha County's most unusual numbers
Out of every Kansas county, Nemaha County is most unusual on these measures.
- Nemaha County ranks 8th highest of 105 Kansas counties for median home value: $217,200, against $217,200 statewide. Owners with equity have more options, including secured credit, but that puts the house at risk.
- Nemaha County ranks 8th lowest of 105 Kansas counties for the uninsured rate: 5.1%, against 8.8% statewide. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
- On median household income, Nemaha County sits near the top of Kansas at $77,348, 13th highest of 105. Higher local incomes do not change lender rules; your documented income is what counts.
Where Nemaha County works
Education and health care (24%), manufacturing (21%) and agriculture, forestry and mining (11%) lead Nemaha County's job mix. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 11% locally and 3% for Kansas. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 84% drive to work alone and 5% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 4.3% of the total (5.1% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Nemaha County workers | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.1% | -0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 20.6% | +8.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 11.4% | +8.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.4% | -1.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.9% | +2.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.2% | -1.3 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Nemaha County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Nemaha County income bands
The median household income in Nemaha County is $77,348; statewide it is $74,275, so Nemaha County runs 4% above Kansas as a whole. Only 12 Kansas counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Nemaha County | vs Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.2% | +1.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.1% | +2.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -2.9 pts |
Six-figure households (36%) outnumber those under $35,000 (23%) in Nemaha County. Nemaha County counts about 945 residents below the poverty line, 9.3% of the population. Gini index for Nemaha County: 0.450. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Seneca and the rest of Nemaha County
3,689 of Nemaha County's 10,160 residents live in its 10 Census places (36%); the 10 largest are listed. Seneca and every other Nemaha County community use this county guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seneca | city | 2,090 | $76,750 | $602 | 5 mi |
| Centralia | city | 501 | $67,188 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Wetmore | city | 342 | $69,375 | $542 | 15 mi |
| Corning | city | 187 | $93,750 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Oneida | city | 137 | $65,000 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Bern | city | 136 | $62,500 | $567 | 12 mi |
| Goff | city | 133 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Baileyville | CDP | 126 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| St. Benedict | CDP | 36 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Kelly | CDP | 1 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
Nemaha County next to its neighbors
Brown County is closest, 23 miles from center to center; the sixth, Pottawatomie County, is 33 miles off. Richest neighbor: Pottawatomie County, $92,325. Poorest: Richardson County, $60,108. Nemaha County: $77,348. Some neighbors are in Nebraska. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Nemaha County resident follows Kansas rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nemaha County | - | $77,348 | $774/mo | 78% |
| Brown County, KS | 23 mi | $62,233 | $646/mo | 76% |
| Pawnee County, NE | 27 mi | $62,188 | $706/mo | 80% |
| Marshall County, KS | 27 mi | $68,419 | $690/mo | 80% |
| Richardson County, NE | 28 mi | $60,108 | $691/mo | 77% |
| Jackson County, KS | 29 mi | $75,215 | $814/mo | 77% |
| Pottawatomie County, KS | 33 mi | $92,325 | $924/mo | 82% |
Nemaha County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. 5.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Nemaha County | Compared with Kansas | Compared with median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work from home | 5.5% | -6.3 pts | -3.2 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.9% | -5.7 pts | +7.8 pts |
| No health insurance | 5.1% | -3.7 pts | -2.7 pts |
| Median age | 40.1 | +2.7 yrs | -1.4 yrs |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.5% | -2.4 pts | -2.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 5.8% | -2.3 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 9.3% | -2.0 pts | -3.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.3% | -0.8 pts | -1.1 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Nemaha County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 58.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 6.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Nemaha County
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
$6,446 a month: the Nemaha County median budget
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Nemaha County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Nemaha County: $6,446
- Less median rent of $774, which is 12% of it
- Under a 40% cap, $2,578 total minus rent leaves $1,804
A household below the $77,348 median has less room than this, often none.
Kansas lender licensing
Consumer lenders serving Nemaha County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Kansas that is the Kansas Office of the State Bank Commissioner. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. State-level detail for Nemaha County borrowers is in the Kansas guide.
Four steps for Nemaha County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Nemaha County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the Kansas license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Kansas guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Nemaha County household make?
About $77,348 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 4% above the Kansas median.
How does Nemaha County rent compare with Kansas?
$774 locally versus $1,060 for the state, 27% below.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Nemaha County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 78% of Nemaha County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
What are the biggest places in Nemaha County?
By population: Seneca, Centralia, Wetmore, Corning, Oneida. The county has 10 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Nemaha County or elsewhere in Kansas, the same rules apply.