Keith County

As of the 2020 census, Keith County, Nebraska, has a population of 8,335. The racial makeup is predominantly White (96.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (4.1%), Native American (0.8%), African American (0.4%), and Asian (0.3%). The median age is around 47 years. The county covers approximately 1,110 square miles, with Ogallala being the largest city and county seat. The population density is about 7.5 people per square mile. Household and family median incomes are approximately $50,000 and $60,000, respectively.

Keith County, NE, has a median home value of around $130,000. Approximately 65% of the population owns their homes, while 35% are renters. The median rent is about $700 per month. The housing market has seen a slight appreciation over recent years. The area offers a range of housing options, from single-family homes to apartments. The property tax rate is roughly 1.3%, consistent with the state average. The county's housing vacancy rate stands at approximately 15%, offering potential opportunities for new buyers and renters.

As of the most recent data, Keith County, Nebraska, has a range of elections for various local, state, and federal positions. In local elections, key positions include County Commissioners, Sheriff, County Clerk, Treasurer, and the County Attorney.

For the 2022 general election, some of the notable races included:

• County Commissioner: Three seats were contested. Candidates included Don Baldridge (incumbent) with 63%, Jim Hofmann with 55%, and Andy Schaben with 52% of the votes.
• Sheriff: Candidates were Bill D. Lewis (incumbent) with 60% and Heath Whitehouse with 40%.
• County Clerk: Three major candidates were Mary Anne Symes (40%), Joan Ridenoer (35%), and Jessica Mooney (25%).

Participation was around 60% of registered voters. For precise, up-to-date results and candidate lists, consult the official Keith County election office or website.

Keith County, NE, shows a mixed picture in terms of educational attainment. Approximately 90.3% of residents aged 25 and older have completed high school, which is slightly below the national average of 91%. Around 18.7% of the same age group hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is lower than the national average of 33.1% and the Nebraska state average of 33.3%. The county's education levels highlight a gap, particularly in higher education attainment when compared to broader state and national statistics. Efforts to boost local educational outreach and higher education opportunities would be beneficial for aligning Keith County more closely with wider averages.

Keith County, Nebraska, has a labor force participation rate of around 60.2%. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industries play a major role, employing approximately 13% of the workforce, which is significantly higher than the national average of 1.7% and the state average of around 7%. Retail trade is another leading industry, employing about 11%, compared to national (10%) and state averages (9%). Healthcare and social assistance employ approximately 9%, with national (12%) and state averages (11.4%). Lastly, the construction industry employs around 8%, aligning closely with national (6%) and state averages (6%). These statistics indicate a strong local economy driven by primary sectors, particularly agriculture, compared to broader trends which emphasize services and technology.

Based on recent data, Keith County, NE, has an average household income of approximately $54,000. In comparison, the median household income in Nebraska stands at around $63,000, while the national average is approximately $68,700. This indicates that Keith County's average household income is below both the state and national averages.

Keith County's income lags behind by about 14% compared to the state average and around 21% compared to the national average.

As of the latest available data in 2023, Keith County, NE, has a crime rate that is lower than the national average. Here is a summary of the different types of crimes recorded:

In Keith County, the property crime rate is significantly higher than violent crime, with larceny-theft being the most common crime. The county remains relatively safe compared to urban areas, portraying a community with lower crime trends.