The Town FilesNebraska City, Nebraska
City in Otoe County · population 7,222 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $162,000
- Household income
- $67,117
- Jan low / Jul high
- 14° / 87°
- Snow a year
- 24 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 19
- Median age
- 38.8
Nebraska City is a city of 7,222 people in Otoe County, Nebraska. The median home is worth $162,000, close to the typical Nebraska town ($154,800). It ranks hipper than 99% of Nebraska towns, more walkable than 97% of Nebraska towns, more vibrant than 90% of Nebraska towns.
How Nebraska City ranks
Percentile among Nebraska towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of Nebraska towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Nebraska City is worth $162,000, close to the typical Nebraska town ($154,800). Homes cost about 2.4 times the median household income of $67,117, which is more affordable than 40% of Nebraska towns. Median rent is $947 a month. 74.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | Nebraska City | Typical Nebraska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $162,000 | $154,800 |
| Median rent | $947 | $818 |
| Median household income | $67,117 | $66,320 |
| Home value ÷ income | 2.4× | 2.2× |
| Homeownership | 74.8% | 73.2% |
| Median year built | 1970 | 1963 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 4.4% | — |
Who lives in Nebraska City
| People | Nebraska City | Typical Nebraska town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.8 | 39.5 |
| Age 65 and over | 18.4% | 20.8% |
| Under 18 | 25.9% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 24.6% | 22.4% |
| Below the poverty line | 12.1% | 9.9% |
| Veterans | 10.7% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 10.6% | — |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 5.2% |
| Average commute | 17.5 min | 19.6 min |
| Homes with broadband | 97.3% | 87.8% |
Weather in Nebraska City
July highs average 86.6°F and January lows 13.7°F. About 34.1 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 24.0 inches of snow (typical Nebraska town: 28.6 in). Expect about 30 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 136 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Nebraska City since 1950, compared with 23 for the typical Nebraska town. 2 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on April 14, 2012 about 5.7 miles from the town center. The most recent was on May 7, 2023.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 76 times; the largest was 3.00 inches on April 19, 2023.
Severe weather in Otoe County since 1996
Otoe County has been included in 23 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, tornado, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| May 21, 2025 | Winter Storm | DR-4868: Severe Winter Storm And Straight-Line Winds |
| February 23, 2022 | Severe Storm | DR-4641: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, And Tornadoes |
| April 4, 2020 | Biological | DR-4521: Covid-19 Pandemic |
| March 13, 2020 | Biological | EM-3483: Covid-19 |
| March 21, 2019 | Flood | DR-4420: Severe Winter Storm, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding |
Jobs and pay in Otoe County
Otoe County had 6,224 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $53,027 a year. Unemployment was 2.2% in 2023; in Nebraska City itself the ACS puts it at 1.4%.
Public schools in Nebraska City
5 public schools with 1,402 students, about 14.0 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEBRASKA CITY HIGH SCHOOL | 9-12 | 418 | 14.9 |
| NEBRASKA CITY NORTHSIDE ELEM | PK-2 | 389 | 16.2 |
| NEBRASKA CITY MIDDLE SCHOOL | 6-8 | 306 | 13.9 |
| HAYWARD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL | 3-5 | 289 | 13.8 |
| NE CENTER FOR EDUC OF BLIND | PK-12 | — | — |
Towns near Nebraska City
- Auburn, NE19.8 mi · 3,470 people · home $98,800
- Plattsmouth, NE22.8 mi · 6,544 people · home $183,600
- Shenandoah, IA26.3 mi · 4,925 people · home $116,700
- Glenwood, IA26.3 mi · 5,073 people · home $206,200
Nebraska City questions
Is Nebraska City, Nebraska a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Nebraska City scores better for retirees than 16% of Nebraska towns and quieter than 12%. 18.4% of residents are 65 or older (median age 38.8).
How much does a house cost in Nebraska City?
The median owner-occupied home in Nebraska City is valued at $162,000 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $67,117, so homes cost about 2.4 times income. Median rent is $947 a month.
What is the weather like in Nebraska City?
July highs average 86.6°F and January lows 13.7°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 34.1 inches of precipitation a year and 24.0 inches of snow.
Does Nebraska City get tornadoes?
19 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Nebraska City since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on April 14, 2012. The typical Nebraska town has had 23.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)