The Town Files

Phelps County, Nebraska

9,009 people. The median home is worth $194,900 (typical Nebraska town: $154,800) and the median household earns $68,919.

Towns in Phelps County

Towns in Phelps County

TownPeopleMedian homeIncomeMedian age
Holdrege5,515$198,900$55,78941.1

People and housing

Phelps CountyTypical Nebraska town
Median home value$194,900$154,800
Median rent$815$818
Median household income$68,919$66,320
Median age41.439.5
Bachelor's degree or higher29.9%22.4%
Below the poverty line12.2%9.9%

Jobs and pay

4,827 jobs in 2024, average pay $57,718 a year.

Largest industries in Phelps CountyWholesale trade973 jobs · $78,044Retail438 jobs · $35,318Agriculture, forestry & fishi…422 jobs · $57,469Hotels & restaurants265 jobs · $19,467Manufacturing240 jobs · $67,487Construction230 jobs · $58,573
BLS QCEW 2024.
Unemployment rate in Phelps County0%2%4%2000200420082012201620202023 1.8%
BLS LAUS via USDA ERS, annual averages.

Storms since 1996

NOAA recorded 597 storm events in Phelps County from 1996 to 2026.

Storm events in Phelps County by type since 1996Hail184Drought50Tornado17Blizzard13High Wind43Ice Storm6Heavy Rain13Flash Flood9Winter Storm49Winter Weather42
NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database.

Federal disaster declarations

Phelps County has been included in 14 FEMA declarations since 1953.

DeclaredIncidentDeclaration
April 4, 2020BiologicalDR-4521: Covid-19 Pandemic
March 13, 2020BiologicalEM-3483: Covid-19
March 21, 2019FloodDR-4420: Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding
July 24, 2014Severe StormDR-4183: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding
August 12, 2011Severe StormDR-4014: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight Line Winds, And Flooding
July 15, 2010Severe StormDR-1924: Severe Storms And Flooding
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024; BLS QCEW and LAUS; NOAA Storm Events; FEMA OpenFEMA (not endorsed by FEMA).