Chester, NE

Nebraska

Chester is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 274. Residents earn $54,875 per year, which is 27% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
274 Population 464/sq mi density
$54,875 Median Income $26,815 per capita
$72,600 Home Value $98,486 Zillow
$850 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$54,875 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$72,600 home value, $850/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,875
27% lower than US avg
Home Value $72,600
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.9%
56% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.4%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 9.7%
22% lower than US avg

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

People

Population274
Median Age36.8 yrs
Density464/mi²
Male / Female41% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

B+
Median Income$54,875
Per Capita$26,815
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty9.7%
County GDP$536M
Commute13 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$72,600
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$98,486

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.2%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain31.1 in/yr
Elevation1,628 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.9%
High School+96.1%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 19%
Commute13 min
Broadband90.0%
Libraries5

Is Chester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chester receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Chester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chester is $54,875, 27% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. 9.7% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chester is $72,600, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 96.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Chester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.1 inches, including 23.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Chester has a population of 274 with a density of 464 people per square mile. The median age is 36.8 years, 5% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (91.6%), with 6.6% Hispanic.

Population

274
Total Population
464
People / sq mi
36.8yrs
Median Age
5% below US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.2%
Female 58.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Chester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chester is $54,875, which is 27% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 13 minutes.

Income: Chester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,875
27% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,815
Avg Weekly Wage$982
IRS Avg AGI$76,884

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate9.7%
22% below US avg
Establishments (County)262
County GDP$536M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare10
Retail31
Manufacturing10

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.93%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.7 min
Work from Home5.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Chester is $72,600, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $98,486.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$72,600
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$98,486

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% 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-Occupied81.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,850
19% below US avg
Effective Rate3.93%
In Chester, 40.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.2% report depression. 27.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.4%
26% above US avg
Diabetes9.5%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure29.8%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.6%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.3%
Physical Inactivity27.0%
Depression20.2%
Mental Distress16.5%
Physical Distress12.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.2%
Checkup Rate73.2%
Premature Death6,893/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access33.9%
Healthcare Facilities10

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Chester has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average51.8°F
4% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.1 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall23.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,628 ft (496 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density464/sq mi
Coordinates40.0102°N, 97.6181°W
County FIPS31169
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 14.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (56% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 60.8-point margin. 90.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.9%
D 19.1%

Winner: Republican by 60.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.9%
56% below US avg
High School+96.1%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density464/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access90.0%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities10
Restaurants14
Retail Stores31

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.7 min
Work from Home5.9%

Nearby Cities

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