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Elm Creek, NE

Full City Profile · Nebraska · Phelps County County

3.4 /5.0
B Good
1,146 Population 1,637/sq mi density
$75,625 Median Income $29,310 per capita
$197,100 Home Value $270,773 Zillow
$767 Median Rent 26.9% income on rent
50°F Avg Temperature 308 sunny days/yr
54 Violent Crime/100K 2,312 property/100K
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.5 / 5.0
$75,625 median income, 1.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$197,100 home value, $767/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
54 violent crimes/100K
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Elm Creek experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 308 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 25.6 inches. The area receives 21.8 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average49.9°F
8% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days308 days/yr

Geography

Elevation2,270 ft (692 m)
Area0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²)
Population Density1,637/sq mi
Coordinates40.7201°N, 99.3756°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyPhelps County County
Nearest AirportKearney Regional (EAR)
19 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.6"
33% below US avg
Snowfall 21.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.90"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score39.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience58.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively High
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
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

65 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.8. Most recent: M2.5 on Aug 22, 2025.

Jul 17, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.8 131 km
Jun 12, 2017 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.7 149 km
Apr 10, 2018 10 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.7 94 km
Aug 19, 2015 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska M3.6 139 km
Jan 4, 2016 11 km NW of Westerville, Nebraska M3.5 85 km
Aug 9, 2021 Kansas M3.5 139 km
Jun 25, 2025 10 km NW of Woodston, Kansas M3.4 136 km
Sep 18, 2023 Nebraska M3.4 107 km
Apr 4, 2017 3 km SSE of Mankato, Kansas M3.4 146 km
Jul 26, 2022 8 km WSW of Superior, Nebraska M3.4 132 km
Apr 9, 2018 10 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 94 km
Apr 19, 2018 9 km SSE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.3 95 km
Jul 29, 2021 11 km SSE of Esbon, Kansas M3.3 139 km
Nov 13, 2001 Kansas M3.3 107 km
Jun 20, 2002 8 km NE of Scotia, Nebraska M3.3 108 km
Apr 7, 2017 5 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.2 148 km
Apr 16, 2018 8 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.1 96 km
Sep 26, 2010 11 km S of Oconto, Nebraska M3.1 48 km
Apr 10, 2018 3 km SE of Arnold, Nebraska M3.1 100 km
Jun 3, 2017 4 km SE of Mankato, Kansas M3.0 147 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

656 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF5. Total: 28 fatalities, 408 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 5, 1964 EF5 87 km 4
Jun 3, 1980 EF4 93 km 3
Apr 7, 1978 EF4 95 km 0
Jun 18, 1975 EF4 100 km 0
May 8, 1965 EF4 82 km 0
May 8, 1965 EF4 67 km 4
Jun 6, 1956 EF4 36 km 0
Jun 7, 1953 EF4 71 km 11
Apr 26, 2024 EF3 83 km 0
May 17, 2019 EF3 77 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 95 km 0
Jun 20, 2011 EF3 7 km 0
Apr 20, 2007 EF3 77 km 0
May 17, 2000 EF3 88 km 0
Jun 3, 1999 EF3 99 km 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 30 km 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 19 km 0
Jun 6, 1993 EF3 9 km 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 93 km 0
Jun 1, 1990 EF3 72 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

5 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: ROAD 702 (45,166 ac, 2022).

Year Name Acres Distance
2022 ROAD 702 45,166 93 km
2022 ROAD 739 32,997 56 km
2002 UNNAMED 15,972 81 km
2023 NERBR-HFR-FY23-RX-PETERSON 1,061 35 km
1989 UNNAMED 1,009 89 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 0.4 in Coldest, Driest
February 29°F (-2°C) 0.5 in
March 38°F (4°C) 1.7 in
April 49°F (10°C) 2.0 in
May 60°F (15°C) 3.9 in
June 70°F (21°C) 3.9 in Wettest
July 75°F (24°C) 3.4 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 2.8 in
September 64°F (18°C) 2.1 in
October 52°F (11°C) 1.4 in
November 36°F (2°C) 0.9 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 0.5 in

Elm Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.4").

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