Valley County, Nebraska Income Statistics
Valley County Wealth Score
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
-
B
Valley County Around average
Source: Map AI Methodology
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Valley County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $62,985 | $76,615 | $80,455 |
| Median Personal Income | $49,672 | $56,814 | $60,758 |
| Average Yearly Income Growth | 4.5% | 4.3% | 4.8% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 7.0% | 11.4% | 13.9% |
| $200k+ Households | 7.1% | 9.4% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Valley County is about 18% lower than in Nebraska. Income has been growing faster in Valley County (4.5%/yr) than in Nebraska (4.3%/yr).
About 7% of adults in Valley County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the Nebraska average of 11%.
Median Household Income 2009–2024 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Valley County, Nebraska grew by 83.0% from 2009 to 2024, reaching $62,985 in 2024. That's an average of about 4.5% per year.
Income Inequality and the Gender Pay Gap in Valley County
| Metric | Valley County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.467 | 0.515 | 0.552 |
| Male Median Income | $52,999 | $65,618 | $69,667 |
| Female Median Income | $48,018 | $52,854 | $56,850 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 9.4% | 19.5% | 18.4% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Valley County, it is 0.467, lower than Nebraska's 0.515, so income is more evenly distributed here than there, and lower than the US's 0.552, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 10% more than women's income in Valley County, Nebraska. Over a 35-year career, a 10% wage gap accumulates to roughly $174,335 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Valley County, Nebraska has narrowed from about 22% to 9% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 40% in 2017. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,240 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Valley County | Nebraska Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 1.0% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 5.0% | 11.1% | 15.0% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 10 | 16 | 22 |
Approximately 5 people are unemployed in Valley County, Nebraska.
The average commute time in Valley County is 10 minutes, shorter than the 16 minutes in Nebraska.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Valley County, Nebraska has fallen from 1.3% to 1.0% in 2024. Over that period the rate peaked at 1.8% in 2016 and fell as low as 1.0% in 2013.
Valley County, NE Wealth Compared With Nearby Counties
Valley County, NE is the 2nd largest of the 6 counties compared here, 4,066 residents against a local median of 2,202. Valley County, NE's unemployment, at 1.0%, runs 67% below the 3.0% typical of the counties around it. That is the better end of the local range on this measure.
The counties themselves spread 1.4% on unemployment, so Valley County, NE sits at one end of an already wide local range rather than apart from it. Valley County, NE has the lowest unemployment of the 6 areas compared here.
| Area | Population | Median household income | Income growthAverage yearly change in median household income since 2016. Each year is measured in its own dollars, so this is growth before inflation. | Unemployment | Income inequalityGini coefficient: 0 would mean every household earns the same, 1 that a single household earns everything. The lower the number, the more equally income is shared here. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valley County, NE | 4,066 | $62,985 #5/6 | 4.5%/yr #3/6 | 1.0% #1/6 | 0.467 #1/6 |
| Sherman County, NE | 2,967 | $62,401 | 3.7%/yr | 3.0% | 0.488 |
| Garfield County, NE | 1,718 | $64,005 | 4.6%/yr | 2.7% | 0.507 |
| Greeley County, NE | 2,202 | $64,901 | 3.9%/yr | 3.5% | 0.507 |
| Wheeler County, NE | 847 | $65,681 | 4.0%/yr | 2.3% | 0.469 |
| Howard County, NE | 6,534 | $77,518 | 5.0%/yr | 3.8% | 0.476 |
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Valley County, Nebraska has an overall wealth index grade of B, making it about on par with Nebraska, and somewhat better than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Valley County, Nebraska.
How Rich Is Valley County, Nebraska?
Valley County has a wealth index grade of B. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a B grade means residents are quite well off compared to the U.S. average. The median household income is $62,985, about 18% lower than the Nebraska average of $76,615.
How has median household income changed in Valley County, Nebraska?
Between 2009 and 2024, the median household income in Valley County, Nebraska rose 83%, from $34,417 to $62,985. Over the same years, income here outpaced Nebraska as a whole: +83% against +60%.
What was the median household income in Valley County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Valley County, Nebraska was $59,045, down 3% from $61,127 in 2022. The Nebraska median that year was $74,986.
What was the median household income in Valley County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Valley County, Nebraska was $54,084. By 2024 it had risen 16% to $62,985.
Is unemployment high in Valley County, Nebraska?
Unemployment in Valley County, Nebraska is only 1.0%, well below the Nebraska rate of 3.0%, a sign of a tight labor market where employers compete for workers.
What is the Gini coefficient in Valley County, Nebraska?
The Gini coefficient in Valley County is 0.467. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.552, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Valley County, Nebraska?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Valley County, Nebraska has narrowed from about 22% to 9% in 2024. Over that period the gap was widest at 40% in 2017. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $2,240 since 2009.
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