Ponca, NE

Nebraska

Ponca is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 707. Residents earn $53,077 per year, which is 29% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
707 Population 918/sq mi density
$53,077 Median Income $65,604 per capita
$173,800 Home Value $220,815 Zillow
$575 Median Rent
49°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.1 / 5.0
$53,077 median income, 2.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$173,800 home value, $575/mo rent
C+
Education
3.0 / 5.0
24.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $53,077
29% lower than US avg
Home Value $173,800
38% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 24.8%
26% lower than US avg
Median Rent $575
51% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.0%
44% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

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

People

Population707
Median Age42.6 yrs
Density918/mi²
Male / Female57% / 43%
Largest GroupWhite 92%

Economy

A
Median Income$53,077
Per Capita$65,604
Unemployment2.0%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$480M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$173,800
Rent$575
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$220,815

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression17.5%
Heart Disease5.3%

Climate

Avg Temp49°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain28.0 in/yr
Elevation1,201 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+24.8%
High School+92.0%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 20%
Commute20 min
Libraries4

Is Ponca a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ponca receives an overall livability score of 4.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. 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. Ponca stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ponca is $53,077, 29% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.0%. 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.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ponca is $173,800, 38% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $575 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Ponca experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 49°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Ponca has a population of 707 with a density of 918 people per square mile. The median age is 42.6 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.2%), with 1.8% Hispanic, 2.3% Black.

Population

707
Total Population
918
People / sq mi
42.6yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 57.1%
Female 42.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Ponca vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.2%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.8%
64% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ponca vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ponca is $53,077, which is 29% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Ponca vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$53,077
29% below US avg
Per Capita Income$65,604
Avg Weekly Wage$1,015
IRS Avg AGI$67,189

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.0%
44% below US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)147
County GDP$480M

Business (County)

Restaurants11
Healthcare9
Retail15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,900
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Work from Home6.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ponca is $173,800, 38% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $575 (51% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $220,815.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$173,800
38% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$220,815

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$575
51% 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-Occupied71.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,900
17% below US avg
Effective Rate1.67%
In Ponca, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 17.5% report depression. 25.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes9.1%
Heart Disease5.3%
High Blood Pressure29.0%
Asthma9.3%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.2%
Physical Inactivity25.9%
Depression17.5%
Mental Distress15.0%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.2%
Checkup Rate72.5%
Premature Death5,812/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access48.0%
Healthcare Facilities9

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Ponca has an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.0 inches
26% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,201 ft (366 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density918/sq mi
Coordinates42.5649°N, 96.7092°W
County FIPS31051
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 24.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (26% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 58.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.5%
D 19.8%

Winner: Republican by 58.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+24.8%
26% below US avg
High School+92.0%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (3.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density918/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities9
Restaurants11
Retail Stores15

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Work from Home6.0%

Nearby Cities

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