Thurston County, NE

County

Add Comparison
    2024 Population
    6,627
    US Senator
    Deb Fischer
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Pete Ricketts
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    29.2
    1.74% 1-year increase
    2024 Poverty Rate
    13.9%
    22.8% 1-year decrease
    2024 Median Household Income
    $69,177
    6.69% 1-year growth
    2024 Median Property Value
    $114,600
    9.04% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    2,735
    0.551% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Thurston County, NE reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    99.3% of the residents in Thurston County, NE are U.S. citizens.

    The largest universities in Thurston County, NE are Nebraska Indian Community College (32 degrees awarded in 2024) and Little Priest Tribal College (30 degrees).

    In 2024, the median property value in Thurston County, NE was $114,600, and the homeownership rate was 61%.

    Most people in Thurston County, NE drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 21.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Thurston County, NE was 2 cars per household.

    United StatesNebraska

    Population & Diversity

    Thurston County, NE is home to a population of 6.63k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2024, 1.61% of Thurston County, NE residents were born outside of the country (107 people).

    In 2024, there were 1.48 times more American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents (3.56k people) in Thurston County, NE than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.4k White (Non-Hispanic) and 182 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    99.3%
    2024 Citizenship
    99.3%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 99.3% of Thurston County, NE residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Thurston County, NE was 99.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Thurston County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Thurston County, NE
    1. American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic)
      3.56k ± 65
    2. White (Non-Hispanic)
      2.4k ± 30
    3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
      182 ± 65
    4.86%
    Hispanic Population
    322 people

    In 2024, there were 1.48 times more American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) residents (3.56k people) in Thurston County, NE than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.4k White (Non-Hispanic) and 182 Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    4.86% of the people in Thurston County, NE are hispanic (322 people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Thurston County, NE as a share of the total population.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Nebraska.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      47,802 ± 5,303 people
    2. Guatemala
      13,722 ± 2,866 people
    3. El Salvador
      6,860 ± 2,030 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Nebraska was Mexico, the natal country of 47,802 Nebraska residents, followed by Guatemala with 13,722 and El Salvador with 6,860.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Foreign-Born Population

    1.61%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    107 people
    1.38%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    92 people

    As of 2024, 1.61% of Thurston County, NE residents (107 people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Thurston County, NE was 1.38%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Thurston County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      78 ± 41
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      56 ± 29
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      24 ± 21

    Thurston County, NE has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.39 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Thurston County, NE.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health

    90.6% of the population of Thurston County, NE has health coverage, with 36.7% on employee plans, 26.3% on Medicaid, 10.1% on Medicare, 15.6% on non-group plans, and 1.84% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Thurston County, NE see 1,103 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,103 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1084 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 205 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    1,103 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Thurston County, NE

    Primary care physicians in Thurston County, NE see an average of 1,103 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,103 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Thurston County, NE in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 36.6% under 18 years, 21.5% between 18 and 34 years, 30% between 35 and 64 years, and 11.9% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.3% were men and 50.7% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Uninsured People

    9.37%
    Uninsured
    36.7%
    Employer Coverage
    26.3%
    Medicaid
    10.1%
    Medicare
    15.6%
    Non-Group
    1.84%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Thurston County, NE declined by 39.2% from 15.4% to 9.37%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Thurston County, NE changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Indicators

    Health Outcomes

    Indicator

    In 2025, the average number of mentally unhealthy days reported in past 30 days (age-adjusted) was 5.31 in Thurston County, NE.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Thurston County, NE.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Health Behaviors

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 48.8% in Thurston County, NE.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Thurston County, NE.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Clinical Care

    Indicator

    In 2025, the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance was 7.34% in Thurston County, NE.

    The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Thurston County, NE.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Economy

    The economy of Thurston County, NE employs 2.74k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Thurston County, NE were Health Care & Social Assistance (471 people), Public Administration (398 people), and Educational Services (375 people), and the highest paying industries were Transportation & Warehousing ($66,250), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($61,250), and Wholesale Trade ($57,750).

    Employment

    Occupations

    2.74k
    2024 Value
    ± 182
    0.551%
    1 Year growth
    ± 9.15%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Thurston County, NE grew at a rate of 0.551%, from 2.72k employees to 2.74k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Thurston County, NE, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (401 people), Management Occupations (378 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (235 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Thurston County, NE.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Nebraska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    2.74k
    2024 Value
    ± 182
    0.551%
    1 Year growth
    ± 9.15%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Thurston County, NE grew at a rate of 0.551%, from 2.72k employees to 2.74k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Thurston County, NE, are Health Care & Social Assistance (471 people), Public Administration (398 people), and Educational Services (375 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Thurston County, NE, though some of these residents may live in Thurston County, NE and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Median Earnings by Industry

    $48,886
    Median earning men ± $3,517
    $38,661
    Median earning women ± $3,612

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($95,208), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($65,417), and Wholesale Trade ($63,333).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($60,750), Construction ($47,917), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($44,297).

    View Data
    Save Image

    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.
    Y-Axis
    2.25%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 1.03M people employed in Nebraska. This represents a 2.25% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 8.87%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Nebraska.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 14
      Transportation and Warehousing
    2. 10
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    3. 9
      Construction

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $50.6k
      Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services
    2. $49.6k
      Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
    3. $31.5k
      Health Care and Social Assistance

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Nebraska went to Donald J. Trump with 59.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.9%), followed by Other (0.849%).

    Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing the state of Nebraska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Nebraska is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Thurston County, NE. Showing the available data for Nebraska.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (59.3%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (38.9%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Other (0.849%)
      Other Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Nebraska went to Donald J. Trump with 59.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.9%), followed by Other (0.849%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Nebraska for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Nebraska

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.
    Deb Fischer
    Senator from Nebraska1
    Assumed office on January 3, 2013
    Pete Ricketts
    Senator from Nebraska2
    Assumed office on January 12, 2023
    Appointed to the seat on January 12, 2023 following the resignation of Ben Sasse.

    Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing Nebraska.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Nebraska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Education

    In 2024, universities in Thurston County, NE awarded 62 degrees. The student population of Thurston County, NE in 2024 is skewed towards women, with 302 male students and 536 female students.

    Most students graduating from Universities in Thurston County, NE are American Indian or Alaska Native (51 and 82.3%), White (10 and 16.1%), and Two or More Races (1 and 1.61%).

    The largest universities in Thurston County, NE by number of degrees awarded are Nebraska Indian Community College (32 and 51.6%) and Little Priest Tribal College (30 and 48.4%).

    The most popular majors in Thurston County, NE are Liberal Arts & Sciences (18 and 29%), Nursing Assistant & Patient Care Assistant (15 and 24.2%), and Child Care & Support Services Management (7 and 11.3%).

    The median tuition cost for a public four year colleges is $4,080 for in-state students and $4,080 for out-of-state students.

    Admissions & Enrollments

    Enrollments by Gender and Races

    In 2024 there were 838 students enrolled in Thurston County, NE, 36% men and 64% women.

    By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in American Indian or Alaska Native with 627 records, of which 64.1% were women and 35.9% men.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Completions

    Concentrations

    Most Common
    1. Liberal Arts & Sciences
      18 degrees awarded
    2. Child Care & Support Services Management
      7 degrees awarded
    3. Native American Studies
      5 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Thurston County, NE was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 18 degrees awarded.

    This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Thurston County, NE according to their major.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Universities

    Gender
    Race
    Largest Universities by degrees awarded
    1. Nebraska Indian Community College
      32 degrees awarded
    2. Little Priest Tribal College
      30 degrees awarded

    In 2024, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Nebraska Indian Community College with 32 degrees awarded.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Student Diversity

    In 2024, 15 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Thurston County, NE, which is 0.319 times less than the 47 female students who received degrees in the same year.

    In 2024, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was American Indian or Alaska Native students. These 51 degrees mean that there were 5.1 times more degrees awarded to American Indian or Alaska Native students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 10 degrees awarded.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Awarded Degrees over Time

    The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Tuition

    Average Net Price by Sector

    Public, 2-year ($5,400) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2024.

    Public, 2-year ($1,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

    The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Thurston County, NE was $114,600 in 2024, which is 0.344 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $105,100 to $114,600, a 9.04% increase. The homeownership rate in Thurston County, NE is 61%, which is lower than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Thurston County, NE have an average commute time of 21.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Thurston County, NE is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    In 2025, 18.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Thurston County, NE. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.265%.

    Housing

    Property

    $114,600
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$11,639
    $1,214
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$107

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Thurston County, NE the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Thurston County, NE compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Rent vs Own

    61%
    Homeownership
    2024
    66.7%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 61% of the housing units in Thurston County, NE were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 61.1%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Thurston County, NE compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $69,177
    Median Household Income
    ± $2,235
    1.99k
    Number of Households
    ± 140

    In 2024, the median household income of the 1.99k households in Thurston County, NE grew to $69,177 from the previous year's value of $64,838.

    The following chart displays the households in Thurston County, NE distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $60k - $75k range.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Thurston County, NE is from Nebraska.
    0.447
    2024 Wage GINI in Nebraska
    0.447
    2023 Wage GINI in Nebraska

    In 2024, the income inequality in Nebraska was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.182% growth from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Nebraska was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Nebraska in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Nebraska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (83.4%)
    2. Carpooled (7.61%)
    3. Walked (4.27%)

    In 2024, 83.4% of workers in Thurston County, NE drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.61%) and those who walked to work (4.27%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Commute Time

    21.3 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Thurston County, NE have a shorter commute time (21.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 3.07% of the workforce in Thurston County, NE have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Thurston County, NE compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

    View Data
    Save Image
    View Data
    Save Image

    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Thurston County, NE distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Thurston County, NE have 2 cars.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Poverty

    Severe Housing Problems

    In 2025, 18.8% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Thurston County, NE. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator grew 0.265%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Poverty & Diversity

    13.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Thurston County, NE (895 out of 6.44k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males < 5, followed by Females 6 - 11 and then Females < 5.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Thurston County, NE is Native American, followed by White and Asian.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Children in Poverty

    In 2025, 25.5% of the children was living in poverty in Thurston County, NE. From 2014 to 2025, the indicator declined 7.7%.

    The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

    View Data
    Save Image

    Security

    Crimes & Accidents

    Indicator

    In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 61.7 in Thurston County, NE. From 2017 to 2022, the indicator grew 32.2% per 100,000 population.

    The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

    View Data
    Save Image