Benkelman, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Dundy County County

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
946 Population 788/sq mi density
$42,500 Median Income $31,048 per capita
$84,800 Home Value $151,311 Zillow
$580 Median Rent 28.4% income on rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$42,500 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$84,800 home value, $580/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Benkelman experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 19.7 inches. The area receives 27.6 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

29°F Jan (-2°C) 78°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average52.3°F
3% below US avg
January Average29°F (-2°C)
July Average78°F (25°C)

Geography

Elevation3,043 ft (928 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density788/sq mi
Coordinates40.0468°N, 101.5402°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDundy County County
Nearest AirportMc Cook Ben Nelson Regional (MCK)
51 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.7"
48% below US avg
Snowfall 27.6"
Wettest Month (Jul) 3.13"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score2.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience5.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Very Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.3. Most recent: M2.6 on Sep 10, 2010.

Nov 13, 2001 Kansas M3.3 114 km
Apr 16, 2007 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska M3.0 92 km
Feb 14, 2003 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska M2.9 131 km
Apr 14, 2002 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska M2.8 105 km
Sep 10, 2010 8 km WNW of Norton, Kansas M2.6 135 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

542 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 36 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 15, 1990 EF4 29 km 0
Oct 29, 1956 EF4 78 km 0
May 2, 1991 EF3 82 km 0
Oct 17, 1971 EF3 31 km 0
Jun 6, 1967 EF3 38 km 0
May 4, 1965 EF3 95 km 0
May 4, 1960 EF3 74 km 0
Jun 5, 1953 EF3 19 km 0
May 20, 1951 EF3 33 km 0
May 14, 1951 EF3 35 km 0
Aug 8, 2023 EF2 88 km 0
May 26, 2021 EF2 13 km 0
May 17, 2019 EF2 69 km 0
May 7, 2016 EF2 60 km 0
Mar 28, 2007 EF2 82 km 0
Mar 28, 2007 EF2 63 km 0
Aug 10, 1996 EF2 98 km 0
May 21, 1995 EF2 92 km 0
May 12, 1995 EF2 81 km 0
Jun 7, 1994 EF2 48 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

11 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (11,012 ac, 2002).

Year Name Acres Distance
2002 UNNAMED 11,012 91 km
1997 UNNAMED 4,777 33 km
2019 CHERRY CREEK 4,273 34 km
1999 UNNAMED 3,473 96 km
2011 ZWEYGARDT 2,118 59 km
2022 COUNTY ROAD R 2,080 86 km
2018 COUNTY ROAD 56 1,866 72 km
2007 WANO 1,556 36 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,488 53 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,476 44 km
1990 UNNAMED 1,285 53 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 29°F (-2°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 32°F (0°C) 0.6 in
March 42°F (5°C) 1.0 in
April 50°F (10°C) 2.0 in
May 61°F (16°C) 3.1 in
June 72°F (22°C) 2.9 in
July 78°F (25°C) 3.1 in Warmest, Wettest
August 75°F (24°C) 2.4 in
September 66°F (19°C) 1.4 in
October 52°F (11°C) 1.5 in
November 40°F (4°C) 0.6 in
December 30°F (-1°C) 0.6 in

Benkelman has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 29°F in January to 78°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.5").

View full weather details →