1st Advantage MortgageThayer County households have a median income of $66,213 and median rent of $766 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Nebraska before sharing details.
On this page
- Thayer County by the numbers
- Housing costs in Thayer County
- Household income in Thayer County
- Employment and commuting in Thayer County
- The communities that make up Thayer County
- Counties near Thayer County
- A Thayer County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Thayer County
- Thayer County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Licensing and complaints for Thayer County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Thayer County
- Frequently asked questions
Thayer County by the numbers
Thayer County is home to about 4,901 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 56th most populous of 93 county-level areas in Nebraska. Land area is 574 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 9 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Thayer County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 11 places in the county (11 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Hebron, with about 1,577 residents, or 32% of the county. Because Thayer County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Housing costs in Thayer County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $766 in Thayer County versus $1,072 statewide. 29% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 10% spend half or more. Home values center on $122,800, or 1.9 years of median income. The ownership rate is 78%. Half the housing stock was built before 1956.
| Cost | Thayer County | Nebraska figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $766/mo | $1,072/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $122,800 | $238,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 29% | 45% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 22% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Thayer County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Household income in Thayer County
Half of Thayer County households take in less than $66,213 a year and half take in more, 13% below the Nebraska median of $76,475. In the state ranking that is 57th of 93.
| Households earning | Thayer County | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.7% | +2.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.3% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.5% | -2.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -4.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 31% of Thayer County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. 9.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 10.6%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.416 here. A household earning below the $66,213 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Thayer County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 21%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 21% locally and 4% for Nebraska. Averaged over the five survey years, 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 83% drive to work alone and 9% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 3.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Thayer County share | +/- vs Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.0% | -3.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 20.7% | +16.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.9% | +0.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.6% | -0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.3% | -4.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Thayer County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The communities that make up Thayer County
The table lists the 11 largest of 11 Census places in Thayer County, by population. Together all 11 hold about 3,570 people, so roughly 27% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 11 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hebron | city | 1,577 | $65,833 | $772 | 1 mi |
| Deshler | city | 729 | $57,188 | $653 | 7 mi |
| Bruning | village | 259 | $73,750 | $860 | 11 mi |
| Davenport | village | 257 | $67,083 | $669 | 15 mi |
| Chester | village | 240 | $71,875 | $843 | 11 mi |
| Carleton | village | 189 | $81,250 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Alexandria | village | 101 | $56,250 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Byron | village | 92 | $50,417 | $675 | 15 mi |
| Hubbell | village | 61 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Belvidere | village | 35 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Gilead | village | 30 | $62,500 | n/a | 10 mi |
Counties near Thayer County
Distances run center to center, from Nuckolls County at 24 miles out to Saline County at 34. Income ranges from $56,833 in Republic County to $79,910 in Saline County; 4 of these neighbors top Thayer County's median. The list crosses into Kansas, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thayer County | - | $66,213 | $766/mo | 78% |
| Nuckolls County, NE | 24 mi | $73,976 | $585/mo | 83% |
| Jefferson County, NE | 24 mi | $59,044 | $662/mo | 75% |
| Republic County, KS | 24 mi | $56,833 | $664/mo | 78% |
| Fillmore County, NE | 24 mi | $76,295 | $716/mo | 80% |
| Clay County, NE | 34 mi | $78,986 | $645/mo | 82% |
| Saline County, NE | 34 mi | $79,910 | $914/mo | 76% |
A Thayer County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Thayer 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, Thayer County: $5,518
- Rent at the median, $766, takes 14% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,220 a month
- Under a 43% cap, $2,373 total minus rent leaves $1,607
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Thayer County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Thayer County
Where the Thayer County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Consolidating cards in Thayer County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Thayer County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. 5.2% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Thayer County | Nebraska statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.0 | 37.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.8% | 34.6% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.1% | 7.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | 7.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 11.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.0% | 10.6% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.0% | 3.0% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Thayer County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 55.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 7.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Licensing and complaints for Thayer County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Thayer County, check the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Nebraska guide covers state rules in more detail.
Before you sign
Steps that save money for Thayer County residents:
- Price the Thayer County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for Nebraska borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Thayer County
The Nebraska guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Thayer County a high-income county?
Its $66,213 median ranks 57th of 93 Nebraska counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Thayer County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $766 against $1,072 statewide, and 29% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Thayer County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 11 Census places: Hebron, Deshler, Bruning, Davenport, Chester.
Will a Thayer County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Nebraska as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Thayer County check a lender's license?
With the Nebraska Department of Banking and Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.