RANK #311 / 996 · POP 322,063 · NE
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.5%
Lancaster County, Nebraska, stands out for its unique saline wetlands, a rare ecosystem stretching along Salt Creek north of Lincoln. This east-central Nebraska county, home to the state capital, Lincoln, offers a blend of urban amenities and rural landscapes. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average travel time of 19 minutes, and public transit options are available, including door-to-door rural transportation. The community provides extensive outdoor recreation, from hiking and biking on trails like the MoPac East and Oak Creek Trails to water activities at Branched Oak Lake.
Life in Lancaster County appeals to a mix of families and young professionals, many of whom own their homes. The public school system, including Lincoln Public Schools and Norris School District, is highly rated. The economy is diverse, with agriculture remaining a significant sector, particularly in the outer towns like Denton and Hallam, which feature grain elevators. Beyond agriculture, the county sees ongoing investment in infrastructure and technology, reflecting a broader economic evolution.
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 3.4x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Sheldon Station Expansion (Princeton Road Station Project)
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD)
|
$1,500M | Planned |
|
Panama Energy Center (Solar & Battery Storage)
NextEra Energy Resources, LLC (subsidiary)
|
$599M | Proposed |
|
Google Lincoln Hyperscale Campus - Phase 1
Google
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Lancaster Battery/Storage (Combined Projects)
Sophos Power
|
$450M | Planned |
|
Salt Creek Solar Project
Ranger Power
|
$230M | Approved |
|
Missouri River Water Pipeline
Lancaster County
|
$197M | In Development |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Lancaster County has a Boom Town Index score of 69/100, ranking #311 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.1% and a median household income of $70,387, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Lancaster County is $239,900 with median rent at $997/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2934, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.6% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.1%. Home values changed +4.2% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 3.72% of Lancaster County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.