Seward, NE

Nebraska · Metropolitan Area

Seward is a small city in Nebraska with a population of 7,665. Residents earn $70,000 per year, which is 7% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
7,665 Population 1,742/sq mi density
$70,000 Median Income $32,685 per capita
$232,500 Home Value $301,686 Zillow
$986 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
84 Violent Crime/100K 1,118 property/100K
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.4 / 5.0
$70,000 median income, 1.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.8 / 5.0
$232,500 home value, $986/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
84 violent crimes/100K (78% below avg)
B+
Education
4.0 / 5.0
37.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $70,000
7% lower than US avg
Home Value $232,500
18% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 84/100K
78% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 37.2%
10% higher than US avg
Median Rent $986
15% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.9%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.0%
72% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,665
Median Age30.9 yrs
Density1,742/mi²
Male / Female50% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$70,000
Per Capita$32,685
Unemployment1.0%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$1,090M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$232,500
Rent$986
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$301,686

Crime

F
Violent84/100K
Property1,118/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault70/100K
Burglary140/100K

Health

Obesity35.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression19.6%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain28.7 in/yr
Elevation1,493 ft

Education

B+
Bachelor's+37.2%
High School+95.6%
School Score6.52

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute18 min
EV Stations3
Libraries3

Is Seward a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Seward receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Seward offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Seward is $70,000, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.0%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Seward is $232,500, 18% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $986 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.3x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

Seward is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 84 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,118 per 100,000, 43% below the national average.

Education

Educational attainment is solid, with 37.2% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 95.6% have completed high school. Local schools score 6.5/10 in standardized testing, reflecting strong academic performance.

Climate & Weather

Seward experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.7 inches, including 21.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Seward has a population of 7,665 with a density of 1,742 people per square mile. The median age is 30.9 years, 21% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95%).

Population

7,665
Total Population
1,742
People / sq mi
30.9yrs
Median Age
21% below US avg
4.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 49.5%
Female 50.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Seward vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.5%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.5%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Seward vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Seward is $70,000, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Seward vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$70,000
7% below US avg
Per Capita Income$32,685
Avg Weekly Wage$995
IRS Avg AGI$87,858

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.0%
72% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)516
County GDP$1,090M

Business (County)

Restaurants40
Healthcare40
Retail46
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,158
47% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.22%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.1 min
Work from Home6.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Seward is $232,500, 18% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $986 (15% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $301,686.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$232,500
18% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$301,686
Median List Price$219,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$219,000
$/Sq Ft$144
Homes Sold5
Sale-to-List Ratio97.3%
Price Drops11.1%
Inventory9

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$986
15% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$730
1 Bedroom$756
2 Bedrooms$967
3 Bedrooms$1,345
4 Bedrooms$1,450

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied59.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,158
47% above US avg
Effective Rate2.22%
In Seward, 35.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 19.6% report depression. 23.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.9%
12% above US avg
Diabetes8.4%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure29.3%
Asthma9.4%
COPD5.5%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.2%
Physical Inactivity23.5%
Depression19.6%
Mental Distress14.9%
Physical Distress11.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate95.0%
Checkup Rate72.4%
Premature Death5,490/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access62.6%
Healthcare Facilities40
Seward has a violent crime rate of 84 per 100,000 residents, 78% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,118 per 100,000 (43% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent83.9/100K
78% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape14.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault69.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,118.1/100K
43% below US avg
Burglary139.8/100K
Theft950.4/100K
Vehicle Theft28.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Seward has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 28.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average50.0°F
7% below US avg
January Average23°F (-5°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall28.7 inches
25% below US avg
Snowfall21.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,493 ft (455 m)
Area4.4 sq mi (11.4 km²)
Population Density1,742/sq mi
Coordinates40.9092°N, 97.0961°W
County FIPS31159
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 37.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (10% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 46.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 72.6%
D 26%

Winner: Republican by 46.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+37.2%
10% above US avg
High School+95.6%
School Test Score6.52
B+ Education Grade (4.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,742/sq mi
Total Area4.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants40
Retail Stores46

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.1 min
Work from Home6.1%

Nearby Cities

Compare Seward with another city: