Cortland, NE

Nebraska

Cortland is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 629. Residents earn $68,250 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
629 Population 2,330/sq mi density
$68,250 Median Income $30,968 per capita
$173,400 Home Value $301,451 Zillow
$950 Median Rent 32.5% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$68,250 median income, 0.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$173,400 home value, $950/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,250
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $173,400
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.6%
60% lower than US avg
Median Rent $950
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.5%
26% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.7%
81% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 1.2%
90% lower than US avg

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

People

Population629
Median Age35.5 yrs
Density2,330/mi²
Male / Female52% / 48%
Largest GroupWhite 79%
Veterans11.4%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,250
Per Capita$30,968
Unemployment0.7%
Poverty1.2%
County GDP$1,583M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$173,400
Rent$950
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$301,451
Rent Burden32.5%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.0%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain31.0 in/yr
Elevation1,446 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.6%
High School+86.6%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute29 min
Broadband89.1%
Libraries2

Is Cortland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cortland receives an overall livability score of 3.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Cortland offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cortland is $68,250, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.7%. Only 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cortland is $173,400, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $950 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

13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 86.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Cortland experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 31.0 inches, including 25.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Cortland has a population of 629 with a density of 2,330 people per square mile. The median age is 35.5 years, 9% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.2%), with 3.2% Hispanic, 10.3% Black.

Population

629
Total Population
2,330
People / sq mi
35.5yrs
Median Age
9% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 52.3%
Female 47.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Cortland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Cortland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cortland is $68,250, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 1.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Cortland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,250
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,968
Avg Weekly Wage$941
IRS Avg AGI$69,767

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.7%
81% below US avg
Poverty Rate1.2%
90% below US avg
Establishments (County)744
County GDP$1,583M

Business (County)

Restaurants47
Healthcare56
Retail99
Manufacturing36

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,931
41% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.84%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.5 min
Drive Alone76.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Cortland is $173,400, 38% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $950 (18% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $301,451.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$173,400
38% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$301,451

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$950
18% below US avg
Rent Burden32.5%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied86.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,931
41% above US avg
Effective Rate2.84%
In Cortland, 40.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.0% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.5%
26% above US avg
Diabetes8.8%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure31.5%
Asthma9.7%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking25.1%
Physical Inactivity23.9%
Depression19.0%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.4%
Checkup Rate74.5%
Premature Death7,954/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access65.2%
Healthcare Facilities56

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Cortland has an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 31.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.1°F
5% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall31.0 inches
18% below US avg
Snowfall25.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,446 ft (441 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²)
Population Density2,330/sq mi
Coordinates40.5060°N, 96.7060°W
County FIPS31067
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 13.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (60% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 39.2-point margin. 89.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.9%
D 29.7%

Winner: Republican by 39.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.6%
60% below US avg
High School+86.6%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density2,330/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access89.1%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities56
Restaurants47
Retail Stores99

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.5 min
Drive Alone76.5%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home8.8%

Nearby Cities

Compare Cortland with another city: