1st Advantage MortgageThe median Sherman County household earns $63,578, and 9% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Sherman County at a glance
- Income in Sherman County compared with Nebraska
- Employment and commuting in Sherman County
- Renting and owning in Sherman County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Sherman County
- Regional comparison for Sherman County
- More Sherman County figures
- Reading the Sherman County data as a borrower
- A Sherman County household budget, worked through
- Licensing and complaints for Sherman County
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Sherman County at a glance
Sherman County is home to about 2,967 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 65th most populous of 93 county-level areas in Nebraska. Land area is 566 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 5 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Sherman County is not part of any metropolitan area. Loup City is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 973 people (33% of the county total). Because Sherman County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Sherman County compared with Nebraska
Sherman County households have a median income of $63,578 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 69th of 93 in Nebraska.
| Yearly household income | Sherman County | Gap to Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.8% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 52.4% | +10.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.3% | -6.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.5% | -4.9 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. 8.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.418 here. For a borrower in Sherman 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.
Employment and commuting in Sherman County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 19%. Compared with Nebraska, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (19% against 4%). Averaged over the five survey years, 3.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 20% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. Households without a car make up 6.9% of the total (5.4% statewide).
| Top industries | Sherman County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -4.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 18.6% | +14.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.1% | +3.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.7% | -1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.0% | -1.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.3% | -3.2 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Renting and owning in Sherman County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $818 in Sherman County versus $1,072 statewide. By the Census definition, 36% of Sherman County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $152,000, or 2.4 years of median income. 75% of Sherman County households own their home and 25% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1962.
| Cost | Sherman County | Nebraska figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $818/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $152,000 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 22% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 14.3% | 2.9% | 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).
Cities, towns and CDPs in Sherman County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Sherman County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 1,757 residents, leaving about 41% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Sherman County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loup City | city | 973 | $52,500 | $744 | 4 mi |
| Litchfield | village | 233 | $67,083 | $655 | 10 mi |
| Ashton | village | 232 | $69,000 | $856 | 9 mi |
| Rockville | village | 169 | $35,833 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Hazard | village | 150 | $81,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
Regional comparison for Sherman County
Distances run center to center, from Valley County at 24 miles out to Custer County at 41. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Sherman County; Howard County is highest at $76,767 and Valley County lowest at $61,852.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sherman County | - | $63,578 | $818/mo | 75% |
| Valley County, NE | 24 mi | $61,852 | $626/mo | 74% |
| Howard County, NE | 24 mi | $76,767 | $777/mo | 78% |
| Buffalo County, NE | 26 mi | $75,911 | $936/mo | 66% |
| Greeley County, NE | 33 mi | $63,929 | $613/mo | 82% |
| Hall County, NE | 35 mi | $69,251 | $943/mo | 62% |
| Custer County, NE | 41 mi | $67,906 | $853/mo | 69% |
More Sherman County figures
20% of Sherman County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 4% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Sherman County | Nebraska | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.5% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 4.1% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.9% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.0% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.0% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 42.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.4% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Reading the Sherman County data as a borrower
Where the Sherman County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Vehicle repairs. 20% of Sherman County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 14% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Fixed incomes. Sherman County's median age is 46.9. Social Security and pensions count as income when documented.
A Sherman County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Sherman County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,298 before taxes
- 15% goes to median rent ($818)
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,036 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- At 45%, room after rent is $1,566 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Licensing and complaints for Sherman County
Consumer lenders serving Sherman County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Nebraska that is the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The Nebraska guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Sherman County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Sherman County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Nebraska.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Related local guides
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Sherman County a high-income county?
Its $63,578 median ranks 69th of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Sherman County?
$818 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Does this page cover Loup City?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Sherman County, such as Litchfield, Ashton, Rockville.
Will a Sherman County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Nebraska as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Sherman County?
Start with the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.