Brainard, NE

Nebraska

Brainard is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 279. Residents earn $73,750 per year, which is 2% below the national average.

4.1 /5.0
A Great
279 Population 900/sq mi density
$73,750 Median Income $40,803 per capita
$158,700 Home Value $262,304 Zillow
$700 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.1 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$73,750 median income, 0.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$158,700 home value, $700/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $73,750
2% lower than US avg
Home Value $158,700
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.5%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $700
40% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.4%
89% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.4%
89% lower than US avg

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

People

Population279
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density900/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

A+
Median Income$73,750
Per Capita$40,803
Unemployment0.4%
Poverty1.4%
County GDP$584M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$158,700
Rent$700
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$262,304

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.4%
Heart Disease4.8%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain30.4 in/yr
Elevation1,673 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.5%
High School+98.5%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 79% / D 20%
Commute22 min
Libraries4

Is Brainard a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Brainard receives an overall livability score of 4.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Brainard stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Brainard is $73,750, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.4%. Only 1.4% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Brainard is $158,700, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $700 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Brainard experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 30.4 inches, including 31.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Brainard has a population of 279 with a density of 900 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96.1%).

Population

279
Total Population
900
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Brainard vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.7%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.3%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Brainard vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Brainard is $73,750, which is 2% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Brainard vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$73,750
2% below US avg
Per Capita Income$40,803
Avg Weekly Wage$1,045
IRS Avg AGI$71,729

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.4%
89% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.4%
89% below US avg
Establishments (County)276
County GDP$584M

Business (County)

Restaurants16
Healthcare15
Retail27
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,240
7% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.04%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.5 min
Work from Home8.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Brainard is $158,700, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $700 (40% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $262,304.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$158,700
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$262,304

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$700
40% 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-Occupied82.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,240
7% below US avg
Effective Rate2.04%
In Brainard, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.4% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.3%
Heart Disease4.8%
High Blood Pressure28.0%
Asthma9.2%
COPD5.2%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking24.5%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression17.4%
Mental Distress14.8%
Physical Distress10.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.6%
Checkup Rate72.8%
Premature Death5,602/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access45.8%
Healthcare Facilities15

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Brainard has an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 30.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.3°F
9% below US avg
January Average21°F (-6°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall30.4 inches
20% below US avg
Snowfall31.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,673 ft (510 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density900/sq mi
Coordinates41.1817°N, 97.0023°W
County FIPS31023
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 59.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.4%
D 19.8%

Winner: Republican by 59.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.5%
33% below US avg
High School+98.5%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density900/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities15
Restaurants16
Retail Stores27

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.5 min
Work from Home8.2%

Nearby Cities

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