1st Advantage MortgageOtoe County (16,241 residents) has a $82,188 median household income and $914 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Otoe County offer.
On this page
- Otoe County by the numbers
- Where Otoe County works
- Housing costs in Otoe County
- The $82,188 median and what sits around it
- Otoe County at the extremes
- The communities that make up Otoe County
- Otoe County, Johnson County and other neighbors
- Debt-to-income, Otoe County edition
- Otoe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Otoe County
- Verifying a lender from Otoe County
- Steps before you apply in Otoe County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Otoe County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Otoe County's population at 16,241; only 18 of Nebraska's 93 county-level areas are larger. Its 616 square miles average 26 people per square mile, by the 2024 Census Gazetteer. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Otoe County is not part of any metropolitan area. Nebraska City is the biggest of its 11 Census places, at roughly 7,369 people (45% of the county total).
Where Otoe County works
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Otoe County residents work in education and health care and 13% in manufacturing. Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 9% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Otoe County averages 2.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). 46% of Otoe County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 15% need 45 or more. Only 3.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Otoe County | Difference from Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.0% | +2.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.6% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.2% | -2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -2.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Otoe County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Otoe County
Renters in Otoe County pay a median of $914 a month, 15% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. 25% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 12% spend half or more. Otoe County homes are worth $201,600 at the median, a 2.5-to-1 ratio to income. Homeowners 82%, renters 18%. Half the housing stock was built before 1971. Against the median U.S. county, Otoe County rent is 4% above.
| Housing | Otoe County | Nebraska statewide | Otoe County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $914/mo | $1,072/mo | 15% lower |
| Median home value | $201,600 | $238,600 | 16% lower |
| Owners | 82% | 67% | +15.7 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 25% | 45% | -19.8 pts |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 22% | -2.9 pts |
| Vacant units | 9% | 8% | +1.2 pts |
Because most Otoe 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.
The $82,188 median and what sits around it
Median household income in Otoe County: $82,188 (7% above Nebraska, $76,475). That places it 8th among Nebraska's 93 county-level areas.
| Band | Otoe County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.0% | -1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.3% | -1.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.2% | +5.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.6% | -1.9 pts |
Six-figure households (41%) outnumber those under $35,000 (19%) in Otoe County. 9.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). For a borrower in Otoe County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Otoe County at the extremes
The 4 Otoe County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Nebraska, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Nebraska counties match Otoe County on the uninsured rate: 3.9% here, 7.2% for the state, ranking 4th lowest of 93. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
- On the share of households earning $100,000 or more, Otoe County sits near the top of Nebraska at 41%, 7th highest of 93. Big incomes invite big loans; borrow only what you need.
- Few Nebraska counties match Otoe County on median household income: $82,188 here, $76,475 for the state, ranking 8th highest of 93. A high county median can hide a wide spread, so budget from your own pay.
- Few Nebraska counties match Otoe County on homeownership: 82% here, 67% for the state, ranking 8th highest of 93. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
The communities that make up Otoe County
Places, by size: the top 11 of 11. Roughly 30% of Otoe County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Palmyra ($85,139) and Nebraska City ($67,117) mark the top and bottom of Otoe County's income range among larger places. Median rent ranges from $573 in Syracuse to $1,188 in Palmyra. Nebraska City and every other Otoe County community use this county guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska City | city | 7,369 | $67,117 | $947 | 14 mi |
| Syracuse | city | 1,990 | $72,404 | $573 | 3 mi |
| Palmyra | village | 589 | $85,139 | $1,188 | 14 mi |
| Unadilla | village | 329 | $70,000 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Douglas | village | 269 | $71,250 | $725 | 14 mi |
| Dunbar | village | 266 | $90,795 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Woodland Hills | CDP | 205 | $138,646 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Otoe | village | 160 | $44,375 | $1,031 | 6 mi |
| Talmage | village | 155 | $63,929 | $1,278 | 9 mi |
| Lorton | village | 72 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Burr | village | 41 | $72,500 | n/a | 11 mi |
Otoe County, Johnson County and other neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Johnson County at 18 miles out to Sarpy County at 33. Otoe County's $82,188 median trails 2 of the six and beats 4; the range runs $57,632 (Johnson County) to $103,321 (Sarpy County). Some neighbors are in Iowa. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Otoe County resident follows Nebraska rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Otoe County | - | $82,188 | $914/mo | 82% |
| Johnson County, NE | 18 mi | $57,632 | $779/mo | 67% |
| Cass County, NE | 19 mi | $91,836 | $996/mo | 85% |
| Nemaha County, NE | 23 mi | $60,924 | $772/mo | 66% |
| Fremont County, IA | 29 mi | $71,621 | $746/mo | 78% |
| Lancaster County, NE | 31 mi | $74,793 | $1,085/mo | 59% |
| Sarpy County, NE | 33 mi | $103,321 | $1,334/mo | 70% |
Debt-to-income, Otoe County edition
Otoe County's $82,188 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Start: $6,849 gross per month ($82,188 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $914, takes 13% of that
- Under a 40% cap, $2,740 total minus rent leaves $1,826
Two-income households and single earners in Otoe County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Otoe County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Bachelor's degree or higher: 27% of Otoe County adults. Uninsured, Otoe County: 3.9%; Nebraska: 7.2%.
| Residents | Otoe County | Difference from Nebraska | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.2% | -7.4 pts | +5.1 pts |
| Work from home | 5.2% | -5.8 pts | -3.4 pts |
| Median age | 41.7 | +4.5 yrs | +0.2 yrs |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | -3.3 pts | -4.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.0% | -2.4 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Poverty rate | 9.1% | -1.5 pts | -4.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 6.7% | -1.1 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | -0.3 pts | -1.7 pts |
| Commute length | Otoe County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Otoe County
Otoe County-specific points to check:
- 41% at $100,000+. Good credit gets more offers in Otoe County; use that to compare, not to borrow more.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Verifying a lender from Otoe 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 page has statewide figures to set beside Otoe County's.
Steps before you apply in Otoe County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Otoe County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A Nebraska license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Otoe County earn?
The median is $82,188; 41% earn $100,000 or more and 19% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Otoe County?
$914 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Otoe County?
By population: Nebraska City, Syracuse, Palmyra, Unadilla, Douglas. The county has 11 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Otoe County or elsewhere in Nebraska, the same rules apply.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Otoe County?
Look it up with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.