1st Advantage MortgageNuckolls County households have a median income of $73,976 and median rent of $585 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Nuckolls County at a glance
- Income in Nuckolls County compared with Nebraska
- How Nuckolls County residents earn a living
- Nuckolls County housing compared with Nebraska
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Nuckolls County
- What a median Nuckolls County budget can carry
- Nuckolls County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Nuckolls County data as a borrower
- Steps before you apply in Nuckolls County
- Nebraska rules that apply in Nuckolls County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Nuckolls County at a glance
Nuckolls County is home to about 4,087 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 59th most populous of 93 county-level areas in Nebraska. Spread over 575 square miles, that works out to roughly 7.1 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Nuckolls County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (7 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Superior, with about 1,879 residents, or 46% of the county. With so few households sampled, Nuckolls County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Income in Nuckolls County compared with Nebraska
Nuckolls County households have a median income of $73,976 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 26th of 93 in Nebraska.
| Band | Nuckolls County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.5% | +0.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.8% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.6% | -4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.1% | -2.3 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. 5.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). A household earning below the $73,976 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
How Nuckolls County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 17%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 17% locally and 4% for Nebraska. The survey's unemployment rate for Nuckolls County averages 0.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). Long commutes are the exception here: 11% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 2.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Where residents work | Nuckolls County | Difference from Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.1% | +0.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.8% | +12.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +2.1 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +3.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 6.8% | -0.3 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Nuckolls County housing compared with Nebraska
Renters in Nuckolls County pay a median of $585 a month, 45% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. By the Census definition, 24% of Nuckolls County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $96,500, about 1.3 times the median household income. 83% of Nuckolls County households own their home and 17% rent. The median home was built in 1948, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Nuckolls County | Nebraska | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $585/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $96,500 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 13% | 22% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 8% | n/a |
Because most Nuckolls County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (24 to 34 miles). Income ranges from $52,634 in Jewell County to $78,986 in Clay County; 1 of these neighbors top Nuckolls County's median. Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Nuckolls County resident follows Nebraska rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nuckolls County | - | $73,976 | $585/mo | 83% |
| Thayer County, NE | 24 mi | $66,213 | $766/mo | 78% |
| Webster County, NE | 24 mi | $64,347 | $647/mo | 81% |
| Clay County, NE | 24 mi | $78,986 | $645/mo | 82% |
| Jewell County, KS | 29 mi | $52,634 | $608/mo | 74% |
| Republic County, KS | 32 mi | $56,833 | $664/mo | 78% |
| Adams County, NE | 34 mi | $68,365 | $857/mo | 70% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Nuckolls County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Nuckolls County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 2,967 residents, leaving about 27% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Superior | city | 1,879 | $63,810 | $643 | 11 mi |
| Nelson | city | 487 | $50,000 | $666 | 2 mi |
| Lawrence | village | 223 | $69,375 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Ruskin | village | 149 | $78,607 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Hardy | village | 113 | $60,938 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Oak | village | 88 | $56,818 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Nora | village | 28 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
What a median Nuckolls County budget can carry
Here is the Nuckolls County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,165 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $585 uses 9%
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,881 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Nuckolls County residents: age, schooling, coverage
23% of Nuckolls County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Nuckolls County | Nebraska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.6 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.1% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.6% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.9% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.7% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.6% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Nuckolls County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 54.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 20.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.4% |
Reading the Nuckolls County data as a borrower
Based on the Nuckolls County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 51, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Steps before you apply in Nuckolls County
Steps that save money for Nuckolls County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Nebraska license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nebraska rules that apply in Nuckolls County
The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Nebraska license. 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
Is Nuckolls County a high-income county?
Its $73,976 median ranks 26th of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Nuckolls County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $585 a month; 24% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Superior?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Nuckolls County, such as Nelson, Lawrence, Ruskin.
Is the fit check different in Nuckolls County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Nuckolls County?
Start with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.