Cozad, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Dawson County County

3.0 /5.0
B Good
3,944 Population 1,505/sq mi density
$50,161 Median Income $66,696 per capita
$118,600 Home Value $180,792 Zillow
$820 Median Rent 33.2% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
102 Violent Crime/100K 306 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$50,161 median income, 1.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$118,600 home value, $820/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
102 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Cozad experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 51°F (11°C). Winters average 28°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 24.1 inches. The area receives 30.7 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

28°F Jan (-3°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.0°F
6% below US avg
January Average28°F (-3°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation2,510 ft (765 m)
Area2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density1,505/sq mi
Coordinates40.8613°N, 99.9864°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyDawson County County
Nearest AirportNorth Platte Regional/Lee Bird Field (LBF)
41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.1"
37% below US avg
Snowfall 30.7"
Wettest Month (May) 4.11"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.38"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score65.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability42.7 / 100
Community Resilience9.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Earthquake History

19 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M2.6 on Jun 17, 2025.

Apr 10, 2018 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.7 55 km
Aug 19, 2015 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska M3.6 105 km
Jan 4, 2016 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska M3.5 81 km
Jun 20, 2002 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska M3.3 135 km
Nov 13, 2001 Kansas M3.3 98 km
Apr 19, 2018 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 55 km
Apr 9, 2018 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 54 km
Apr 16, 2018 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.1 58 km
Sep 26, 2010 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska M3.1 27 km
Apr 10, 2018 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.1 62 km
Apr 16, 2007 11 km WSW of Maywood, Nebraska M3.0 70 km
Jul 18, 1990 10 km SSW of Ord, Nebraska M3.0 112 km
Feb 14, 2003 7 km S of Holbrook, Nebraska M2.9 70 km
Apr 14, 2002 12 km SSW of Lebanon, Nebraska M2.8 106 km
Jan 15, 2020 7 km SE of Glade, Kansas M2.7 149 km
Apr 15, 2018 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M2.6 57 km
Sep 10, 2010 8 km WNW of Norton, Kansas M2.6 111 km
Jun 17, 2025 15 km SSW of Riverton, Nebraska M2.6 138 km
Apr 10, 2018 4 km NW of Arnold, Nebraska M2.5 69 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

534 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 81 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 18, 1975 EF4 58 km 0
May 30, 1961 EF4 85 km 0
Jun 6, 1956 EF4 76 km 0
Jun 7, 1953 EF4 89 km 11
May 17, 2019 EF3 37 km 0
Mar 18, 2012 EF3 81 km 0
Mar 18, 2012 EF3 76 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 53 km 0
Apr 20, 2007 EF3 35 km 0
May 17, 2000 EF3 34 km 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 69 km 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 48 km 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 45 km 0
Jun 1, 1990 EF3 47 km 0
Mar 13, 1990 EF3 91 km 0
Jun 25, 1989 EF3 75 km 0
May 10, 1985 EF3 84 km 0
Sep 11, 1978 EF3 29 km 0
Jun 18, 1975 EF3 46 km 0
Jun 18, 1975 EF3 64 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

16 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BETTY'S WAY (68,425 ac, 2024).

Year Name Acres Distance
2024 BETTY'S WAY 68,425 53 km
2022 ROAD 702 45,166 80 km
2022 ROAD 739 32,997 52 km
2002 UNNAMED 15,972 28 km
2002 UNNAMED 11,012 80 km
1999 UNNAMED 7,793 64 km
1989 UNNAMED 6,681 54 km
2011 HARVEST CA 6,526 78 km
1999 UNNAMED 3,473 84 km
1995 UNNAMED 3,149 51 km
1989 UNNAMED 2,706 62 km
1989 UNNAMED 2,298 89 km
1989 UNNAMED 1,397 57 km
2012 UNNAMED 1,200 91 km
1999 UNNAMED 1,185 88 km
2023 NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON 1,061 50 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 28°F (-3°C) 0.4 in Coldest, Driest
February 30°F (-1°C) 0.6 in
March 41°F (5°C) 1.1 in
April 50°F (10°C) 2.7 in
May 60°F (16°C) 4.1 in Wettest
June 71°F (22°C) 3.7 in
July 76°F (24°C) 3.4 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 3.3 in
September 65°F (18°C) 1.7 in
October 52°F (11°C) 1.9 in
November 39°F (4°C) 0.7 in
December 29°F (-2°C) 0.6 in

Cozad has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 28°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.4").

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