Dorchester, NE

Nebraska

Dorchester is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 622. Residents earn $59,583 per year, which is 21% below the national average.

3.8 /5.0
B+ Good
622 Population 1,244/sq mi density
$59,583 Median Income $31,858 per capita
$140,100 Home Value $199,240 Zillow
$598 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.8 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$59,583 median income, 1.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$140,100 home value, $598/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $59,583
21% lower than US avg
Home Value $140,100
50% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.0%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $598
49% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.0%
28% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.3%
64% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population622
Median Age34.5 yrs
Density1,244/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

A
Median Income$59,583
Per Capita$31,858
Unemployment1.3%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$1,293M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$140,100
Rent$598
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$199,240

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.6%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain29.0 in/yr
Elevation1,486 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.0%
High School+95.6%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute20 min
Libraries6

Is Dorchester a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Dorchester 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, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Dorchester offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Dorchester is $59,583, 21% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.3%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Dorchester is $140,100, 50% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $598 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

16.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Dorchester experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 29.0 inches, including 23.9 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Dorchester has a population of 622 with a density of 1,244 people per square mile. The median age is 34.5 years, 11% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.2%).

Population

622
Total Population
1,244
People / sq mi
34.5yrs
Median Age
11% below US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.4%
Female 51.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only81.8%
4% above US avg
Spanish18.2%
36% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Dorchester vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Dorchester is $59,583, which is 21% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Dorchester vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$59,583
21% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,858
Avg Weekly Wage$1,056
IRS Avg AGI$66,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.3%
64% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)386
County GDP$1,293M

Business (County)

Restaurants31
Healthcare33
Retail50
Manufacturing14

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,556
30% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.25%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.7 min
Work from Home5.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Dorchester is $140,100, 50% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $598 (49% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $199,240.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$140,100
50% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$199,240

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$598
49% 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-Occupied79.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,556
30% above US avg
Effective Rate3.25%
In Dorchester, 41.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.6% report depression. 26.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.0%
28% above US avg
Diabetes9.7%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure28.8%
Asthma8.8%
COPD5.4%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.2%
Physical Inactivity26.3%
Depression17.6%
Mental Distress14.6%
Physical Distress11.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.4%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death5,922/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access76.6%
Healthcare Facilities33

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Dorchester has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 29.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average49.7°F
8% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall29.0 inches
24% below US avg
Snowfall23.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,486 ft (453 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,244/sq mi
Coordinates40.6480°N, 97.1154°W
County FIPS31151
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 16.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 32.8%

Winner: Republican by 33.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.0%
53% below US avg
High School+95.6%
School Test Score5.81
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,244/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities33
Restaurants31
Retail Stores50

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.7 min
Work from Home5.2%

Nearby Cities

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