1st Advantage MortgageIn Red Willow County, Nebraska, the typical household earns $63,697 a year and the typical rent is $819. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Red Willow County
- Household income in Red Willow County
- Renting and owning in Red Willow County
- The Red Willow County job picture
- Towns and communities in Red Willow County
- Regional comparison for Red Willow County
- A Red Willow County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Red Willow County
- Red Willow County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Checklist for Red Willow County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Red Willow County residents
- More guides for Red Willow County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Red Willow County
Roughly 10,557 residents live in Red Willow County, Nebraska, 24th by population among the state's 93 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 717 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 15 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Red Willow County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is McCook, with about 7,314 residents, or 69% of the county.
Household income in Red Willow County
At $63,697, the typical Red Willow County household income is 3% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 66th of 93.
| Households earning | Red Willow County | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.4% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.3% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.7% | -6.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -2.8 pts |
Some 25% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 28% have six-figure incomes. 14.0% 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 Red Willow County median.
Renting and owning in Red Willow County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $819 in Red Willow County versus $1,072 statewide. By the Census definition, 52% of Red Willow County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $159,600, a typical Red Willow County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 73%.
| Cost | Red Willow County | Nebraska figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $819/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $159,600 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.2% | 2.9% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 8% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
The Red Willow County job picture
The biggest employer of Red Willow County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by retail trade (15%). Retail trade stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Red Willow County averages 1.4% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.0%). Long commutes are the exception here: 3% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Where residents work | Red Willow County | Difference from Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.3% | +1.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 14.7% | +4.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.4% | -1.0 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 7.6% | +3.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.4% | +1.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.7% | -0.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Towns and communities in Red Willow County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Red Willow County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 8,281 people, so roughly 22% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 5 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCook | city | 7,314 | $56,917 | $823 | 8 mi |
| Indianola | city | 512 | $55,481 | $644 | 5 mi |
| Bartley | village | 352 | n/a | $1,068 | 10 mi |
| Danbury | village | 70 | $47,000 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Lebanon | village | 33 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
Regional comparison for Red Willow County
Distances run center to center, from Frontier County at 25 miles out to Norton County at 40. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Red Willow County; Frontier County is highest at $70,132 and Hitchcock County lowest at $51,567. Some neighbors are in Kansas. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Red Willow County resident follows Nebraska rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Willow County | - | $63,697 | $819/mo | 73% |
| Frontier County, NE | 25 mi | $70,132 | $666/mo | 74% |
| Decatur County, KS | 27 mi | $53,870 | $676/mo | 78% |
| Furnas County, NE | 30 mi | $61,048 | $763/mo | 76% |
| Hitchcock County, NE | 30 mi | $51,567 | $714/mo | 79% |
| Hayes County, NE | 40 mi | $69,250 | $508/mo | 68% |
| Norton County, KS | 40 mi | $54,050 | $609/mo | 76% |
A Red Willow County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Red Willow County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Red Willow County: $5,308
- Median rent: $819, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,304: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $819, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Borrowing situations common in Red Willow County
What the Red Willow County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 52% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Red Willow County residents: age, schooling, coverage
25% of Red Willow County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 8.9%, against 7.2% for Nebraska.
| Red Willow County | Nebraska | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.8% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.9% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.3% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.0% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.4% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 74.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 17.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 0.4% |
| 60+ min | 2.4% |
Checklist for Red Willow County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Nebraska.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Who licenses lenders for Red Willow County residents
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. See the Nebraska state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Red Willow County
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Red Willow County earn?
The median is $63,697; 28% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Red Willow County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $819 against $1,072 statewide, and 52% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Red Willow County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 73% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover McCook?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Red Willow County, such as Indianola, Bartley, Danbury.
Is the fit check different in Red Willow County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.