1st Advantage MortgagePlatte County households have a median income of $71,552 and median rent of $897 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
- Who lives in Platte County
- Housing costs in Platte County
- Household income in Platte County
- Employment and commuting in Platte County
- Platte County and the counties next door
- Platte County towns compared
- Who lives in Platte County, in numbers
- Borrowing situations common in Platte County
- A Platte County household budget, worked through
- Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
- Checklist for Platte County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Platte County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Platte County's population at 34,716; only 8 of Nebraska's 93 county-level areas are larger. It covers 675 square miles of land, or about 51 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Platte County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 10 Census places inside Platte County, Columbus leads by population with about 24,488; 9 of the 10 are incorporated.
Housing costs in Platte County
Renters in Platte County pay a median of $897 a month, 16% below the Nebraska figure of $1,072. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. With a median value of $223,900, a typical Platte County house costs 3.1 times what the median household earns in a year. 72% of Platte County households own their home and 28% rent. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Platte County | Nebraska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $897/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $223,900 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.3% | 2.9% | n/a |
Household income in Platte County
The median household income in Platte County is $71,552; statewide it is $76,475, so Platte County runs 6% below Nebraska as a whole. That places it 32nd among Nebraska's 93 county-level areas.
| Band | Platte County | Compared with Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.5% | +0.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.3% | +1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.1% | -4.3 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 34% have six-figure incomes. 9.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Platte County median.
Employment and commuting in Platte County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Platte County residents work in manufacturing and 17% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 27% locally and 10% for Nebraska. The survey's unemployment rate for Platte County averages 2.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Platte County | Difference from Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 27.4% | +17.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 17.2% | -7.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.3% | -1.2 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.5% | +3.3 pts |
| Construction | 7.5% | +0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -0.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Platte County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Platte County's, from 22 to 30 miles away. Income ranges from $63,128 in Madison County to $82,530 in Colfax County; 3 of these neighbors top Platte County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Platte County | - | $71,552 | $897/mo | 72% |
| Colfax County, NE | 22 mi | $82,530 | $980/mo | 76% |
| Madison County, NE | 24 mi | $63,128 | $881/mo | 65% |
| Polk County, NE | 27 mi | $69,768 | $681/mo | 79% |
| Nance County, NE | 28 mi | $65,179 | $807/mo | 73% |
| Stanton County, NE | 29 mi | $80,687 | $902/mo | 78% |
| Boone County, NE | 30 mi | $74,947 | $850/mo | 82% |
Platte County towns compared
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 79% of Platte County residents live in one of the 10. Duncan has the highest median household income on the list ($74,688) and Columbus the lowest ($64,626), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $721 in Humphrey to $1,313 in Duncan. Live in one of these Platte County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | city | 24,488 | $64,626 | $892 | 13 mi |
| Humphrey | city | 713 | $73,977 | $721 | 8 mi |
| Duncan | village | 612 | $74,688 | $1,313 | 13 mi |
| Lakeview | CDP | 447 | $138,397 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Platte Center | village | 318 | $76,250 | $1,063 | 3 mi |
| Lindsay | village | 313 | $84,167 | $850 | 13 mi |
| Monroe | village | 252 | $75,500 | $960 | 8 mi |
| Creston | village | 170 | $64,792 | $930 | 12 mi |
| Cornlea | village | 42 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
| Tarnov | village | 27 | $77,917 | n/a | 3 mi |
Who lives in Platte County, in numbers
Degree holders: 23% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Platte County | Nebraska | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.0% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.7% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.3% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.3% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.8% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Platte County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 59.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.5% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Borrowing situations common in Platte County
Where the Platte County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
A Platte County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Platte County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $5,963 a month: gross income for a household at the Platte County median
- Less median rent of $897, which is 15% of it
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,667 a month
If your rent is above $897, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Checking a lender's license in Nebraska
The Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance is the place to verify any lender's Nebraska license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. The Nebraska guide covers state rules in more detail.
Checklist for Platte County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Nebraska license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Platte County?
$71,552 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $76,475 for Nebraska. It ranks 32nd of 93 in the state.
How much is rent in Platte County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $897 a month; 40% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Platte County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 72% of Platte County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Columbus?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Platte County, such as Humphrey, Duncan, Lakeview.
Can Platte County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Nebraska county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.