Wausa, NE

Nebraska

Wausa is a small town in Nebraska with a population of 587. Residents earn $68,125 per year, which is 9% below the national average.

4.0 /5.0
A Great
587 Population 1,129/sq mi density
$68,125 Median Income $35,239 per capita
$79,400 Home Value $184,906 Zillow
$820 Median Rent
48°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.0 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$68,125 median income, 3.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$79,400 home value, $820/mo rent
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $68,125
9% lower than US avg
Home Value $79,400
72% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.5%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $820
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.8%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.4%
6% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.4%
73% lower than US avg

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

People

Population587
Median Age48.7 yrs
Density1,129/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A
Median Income$68,125
Per Capita$35,239
Unemployment3.4%
Poverty3.4%
County GDP$738M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$79,400
Rent$820
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$184,906

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression18.9%
Heart Disease5.1%

Climate

Avg Temp48°F
AQI32 (Good)
Rain27.5 in/yr
Elevation1,779 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.5%
High School+91.8%
School Score5.81

Community

2024 VoteR 88% / D 11%
Commute20 min
Libraries3

Is Wausa a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wausa 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. Wausa stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wausa is $68,125, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.4%, indicating a healthy job market. Only 3.4% 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 Wausa is $79,400, 72% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $820 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Wausa experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 48°F. Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 27.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Wausa has a population of 587 with a density of 1,129 people per square mile. The median age is 48.7 years, 25% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (95.1%), with 2.4% Hispanic.

Population

587
Total Population
1,129
People / sq mi
48.7yrs
Median Age
25% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.4%
Female 57.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Wausa vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only86.6%
10% above US avg
Spanish13.4%
0% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wausa vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wausa is $68,125, which is 9% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.4% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Wausa vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$68,125
9% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,239
Avg Weekly Wage$919
IRS Avg AGI$80,902

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.4%
6% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.4%
73% below US avg
Establishments (County)244
County GDP$738M

Business (County)

Restaurants14
Healthcare20
Retail32
Manufacturing8

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,155
19% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.3 min
Work from Home4.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Wausa is $79,400, 72% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $820 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $184,906.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$79,400
72% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$184,906

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$820
29% 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-Occupied89.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,155
19% above US avg
Effective Rate5.23%
In Wausa, 37.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 18.9% report depression. 24.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.8%
18% above US avg
Diabetes8.7%
Heart Disease5.1%
High Blood Pressure27.8%
Asthma9.6%
COPD5.8%
Stroke2.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking22.5%
Physical Inactivity24.0%
Depression18.9%
Mental Distress15.8%
Physical Distress11.3%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate98.9%
Checkup Rate73.1%
Premature Death7,469/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access70.1%
Healthcare Facilities20

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Wausa has an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation is 27.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 32.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.1°F
11% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average75°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall27.5 inches
28% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median32.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,779 ft (542 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density1,129/sq mi
Coordinates42.4978°N, 97.5393°W
County FIPS31139
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 76.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 87.8%
D 11.4%

Winner: Republican by 76.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.5%
33% below US avg
High School+91.8%
School Test Score5.81
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density1,129/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities20
Restaurants14
Retail Stores32

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.3 min
Work from Home4.2%

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