Amherst, NE

Nebraska

Amherst is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 273. Residents earn $67,917 per year, which is 10% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
273 Population 1,241/sq mi density
$67,917 Median Income $26,437 per capita
$169,600 Home Value $396,288 Zillow
$683 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$67,917 median income, 5.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$169,600 home value, $683/mo rent
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
35.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $67,917
10% lower than US avg
Home Value $169,600
40% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 35.9%
7% higher than US avg
Median Rent $683
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.3%
47% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.5%
88% lower than US avg

How Amherst Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population273
Median Age35.8 yrs
Density1,241/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

B+
Median Income$67,917
Per Capita$26,437
Unemployment5.3%
Poverty1.5%
County GDP$4,461M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$169,600
Rent$683
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$396,288

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.9%
Heart Disease4.9%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain25.6 in/yr
Elevation2,234 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+35.9%
High School+95.9%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute20 min
Broadband94.0%
Libraries6

Is Amherst a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Amherst receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate, strong internet connectivity. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment. Amherst stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Amherst is $67,917, 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Amherst is $169,600, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $683 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.5x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 35.9% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Amherst experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 25.6 inches, including 21.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Amherst has a population of 273 with a density of 1,241 people per square mile. The median age is 35.8 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.8%), with 1.1% Hispanic.

Population

273
Total Population
1,241
People / sq mi
35.8yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.4%
Female 43.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Amherst vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Amherst vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Amherst is $67,917, which is 10% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 1.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Amherst vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$67,917
10% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,437
Avg Weekly Wage$1,000
IRS Avg AGI$81,682

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.3%
47% above US avg
Poverty Rate1.5%
88% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,879
County GDP$4,461M

Business (County)

Restaurants163
Healthcare217
Retail246
Manufacturing60

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,774
65% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.9 min
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Amherst is $169,600, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $683 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $396,288.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$169,600
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$396,288

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$81
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio93.2%
Price Drops0.0%

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$683
41% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$706
1 Bedroom$791
2 Bedrooms$1,001
3 Bedrooms$1,274
4 Bedrooms$1,409

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,774
65% above US avg
Effective Rate3.40%
In Amherst, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.9% report depression. 20.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Amherst vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes7.9%
Heart Disease4.9%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma9.5%
COPD4.8%
Stroke2.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.1%
Physical Inactivity20.3%
Depression18.9%
Mental Distress14.9%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Checkup Rate74.3%
Premature Death5,530/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access84.2%
Healthcare Facilities217

Crime Rates: Amherst vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Amherst has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 25.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall25.6 inches
33% below US avg
Snowfall21.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,234 ft (681 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density1,241/sq mi
Coordinates40.8384°N, 99.2695°W
County FIPS31019
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 35.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (7% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 44.9-point margin. 94.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 71.8%
D 26.9%

Winner: Republican by 44.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+35.9%
7% above US avg
High School+95.9%
School Test Score5.81
B+ Education Grade (3.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,241/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access94.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities217
Restaurants163
Retail Stores246

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.9 min
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Amherst with another city: