1st Advantage MortgageIn Niobrara County, Wyoming, the typical household earns $64,113 a year and the typical rent is $605. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Wyoming license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Niobrara County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Niobrara County
- Income in Niobrara County compared with Wyoming
- Jobs and commutes in Niobrara County
- Niobrara County and the counties next door
- Niobrara County towns compared
- Room for a loan payment in Niobrara County
- Local borrowing considerations for Niobrara County
- Niobrara County households compared
- Licensing and complaints for Niobrara County
- A Niobrara County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Niobrara County
With an estimated 2,368 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Niobrara County ranks 23rd of 23 in Wyoming for population. Spread over 2,626 square miles, that works out to roughly 0.9 residents per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Lusk is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 1,311 people (55% of the county total). With so few households sampled, Niobrara County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Rent, home values and ownership in Niobrara County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $605 in Niobrara County versus $992 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 25% of renter households here. Home values center on $221,500, or 3.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 62% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1962.
| Housing | Niobrara County | Wyoming statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $605/mo | $992/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $221,500 | $309,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 62% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 25% | 43% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 12% | n/a |
Income in Niobrara County compared with Wyoming
Niobrara County households have a median income of $64,113 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 19th of 23 in Wyoming.
| Income band | Share in Niobrara County | Difference from Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 31.6% | +9.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.6% | -1.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.5% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -4.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 29% of Niobrara County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 12.0%, 1 point higher than the state's 10.5%. None of these numbers decides a Niobrara County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Jobs and commutes in Niobrara County
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed Niobrara County residents work in education and health care and 23% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Compared with Wyoming, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (23% against 9%). Averaged over the five survey years, 2.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home. 0.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Niobrara County | Compared with Wyoming |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.8% | +1.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 23.5% | +14.4 pts |
| Construction | 15.8% | +7.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Other services | 6.6% | +1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 6.0% | -0.6 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Niobrara County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (49 to 67 miles). Income ranges from $53,929 in Sioux County to $89,509 in Weston County; 4 of these neighbors top Niobrara County's median. The list crosses into Nebraska, South Dakota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Niobrara County | - | $64,113 | $605/mo | 62% |
| Fall River County, SD | 49 mi | $67,917 | $931/mo | 72% |
| Converse County, WY | 54 mi | $81,558 | $866/mo | 77% |
| Weston County, WY | 54 mi | $89,509 | $698/mo | 87% |
| Sioux County, NE | 55 mi | $53,929 | $745/mo | 60% |
| Custer County, SD | 66 mi | $84,112 | $1,112/mo | 86% |
| Goshen County, WY | 67 mi | $58,929 | $778/mo | 73% |
Niobrara County towns compared
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 67% of Niobrara County residents live in one of the 4. Live in one of these Niobrara County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lusk | town | 1,311 | $68,507 | $587 | 21 mi |
| Manville | town | 215 | $57,250 | $765 | 21 mi |
| Lance Creek | CDP | 39 | n/a | n/a | 10 mi |
| Van Tassell | town | 28 | $215,833 | n/a | 33 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Room for a loan payment in Niobrara County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Niobrara County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,343 before taxes
- Less median rent of $605, which is 11% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,265 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,404 total minus rent leaves $1,799
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Niobrara County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Niobrara County
A few patterns in the Niobrara County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Manufactured homes. 14% of Niobrara County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 55, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Niobrara County households compared
College graduates make up 19% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 5.9%, against 11.3% for Wyoming.
| Residents | Niobrara County | Wyoming | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 54.9 | 39.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.4% | 30.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.0% | 5.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.9% | 11.3% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 0.8% | 4.1% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.3% | 9.4% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.0% | 10.5% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.5% | 3.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 70.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 6.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Licensing and complaints for Niobrara County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Niobrara County resident can confirm its license with the Wyoming Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the Wyoming state guide for the statewide picture.
A Niobrara County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Niobrara County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Niobrara County.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Wyoming borrowers.
- Ask a Niobrara County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Wyoming guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Niobrara County earn?
The median is $64,113; 29% earn $100,000 or more and 32% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Niobrara County rent compare with Wyoming?
$605 locally versus $992 for the state, 39% below.
Does this page cover Lusk?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Niobrara County, such as Manville, Lance Creek, Van Tassell.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Niobrara County or elsewhere in Wyoming, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Niobrara County residents?
The Wyoming Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in Wyoming; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.