Nebraska · GEOID 31173

Thurston County

2024 ACS 5-year estimates · population 6,627 · 2,290 housing units

Median household income

$69,177

State $77,562

Median home value

$114,600

State $236,250

Median gross rent

$699

State $1,067

Homeownership rate

61.0%

State 66.5%

Renter cost-burden rate

25.8%

≥30% of income

Owner cost-burden rate

15.2%

≥30% of income

Homeowner vacancy

0.2%

Of owner-occupied + for-sale units

Rental vacancy

6.8%

Of renter-occupied + for-rent units

Overall vacancy

13.1%

All housing units

Price-to-income ratio

1.66

Affordable: 2.0–3.0

Section 1

Community Profile

Population, demographics, household composition, and income.

Community Data Summary

	Thurston County	Nebraska
Population	6,627	1,978,707
Population density (per sq. mi.)	16.84	—
Median household income	$69,177	$77,562
HUD Area Median Income (4-person, 100%)	$77,200	—
Households	1,990	—
Average household size	3.27 people	—
Owner-occupied	61.0%	66.5%
Renter-occupied	39.0%	33.5%
Race	36.5% White · 0.3% Black	0.0% White · 0.0% Black

Source: ACS 5-year 2024 (Tables DP05, S1101, DP04, S1901) and Census Gazetteer (land area); HUD FY2026 Income Limits.

Racial composition

Thurston County compared with Nebraska.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP05.

Educational attainment (population 25+)

22.2% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (state: 34.6%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1501.

Median Household Income by Tenure

Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied household income, county and state.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25119.

Median Household Income by Age of Householder

Median household income by age group of householder.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B19049.

Median Household Income by Number of Earners

Median household income for families with each earner count.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903.

Household Size

Distribution of households by number of people.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2501.

Income by Number of Earners

Earners	Share	Median income	Attainable monthly housing cost	Attainable home
0 earners	10.5%	$38,205	$955	$111,192
1 earner	33.2%	$57,750	$1,444	$183,946
2 earners	46.1%	$95,714	$2,393	$325,260
3+ earners	10.2%	$129,732	$3,243	$451,887

Attainable monthly housing cost = 30% of gross income ÷ 12. Attainable home price assumes 30% housing budget, 30-yr mortgage at 7%, 5% down.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903; affordability formula derived.

Households

1,990

Average size: 3.27 people

Households with children

595

29.9% of households

Per-capita income

$27,509

Poverty rate: 12.3%

Section 2

Residential Market Analysis

Housing stock characteristics — tenure, type, age, size, vacancy, rents.

Tenure

61.0% owner-occupied vs. state average 66.5%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Structure type

Single-family share 83.2% · Missing middle (2–19 units) 12.5%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25024.

Housing stock by decade

65.3% built before 1980 · Median structure age 1,970.00 yrs.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2504.

Housing size mismatch

Compares the share of housing units by bedroom count against the share of households by size — a common diagnostic of housing supply/demand alignment.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Tables B25041 (bedrooms) and S2501 (household size).

Home value distribution

Owner-occupied homes by value bracket. Median: $114,600.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Monthly Housing Costs

Distribution of monthly housing costs across all occupied units.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25104.

Number of Bedrooms

Housing units by number of bedrooms.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25041.

Median rent by bedroom

Overall median gross rent: $699.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25031.

Renters by age

Number of renter householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Owners by age

Number of owner householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Vacancy composition

All 300 vacant units split into Census's seven categories. Frictional vacancy (units actively on the market) reflects healthy churn. Structural vacancy (seasonal, migrant, other) sits outside the market for year-round residents — high values change how the headline vacancy rate should be read.

Vacant units by type

For sale 0.7% · For rent 19.0% · Seasonal 5.7% · Other 70.7%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Frictional vs structural

23.7% of vacancy is frictional (for sale + for rent + rented/sold not yet occupied); 76.3% is structural (seasonal + migrant + other).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Seasonal / recreational share of all housing

0.7%

17 units of 2,290 total

Housing units held for seasonal or recreational use.

"Other vacant" share of all housing

9.3%

212 units of 2,290 total

⚑ Above the 5% threshold — possible indicator of disinvestment, abandonment, or condemned stock.

Section 3

Workforce Housing Needs Assessment

Affordability, cost burden, and the housing options for households in the workforce income range.

Workforce range — ACS median household income

80% MHI$55,342

100% MHI$69,177

120% MHI$83,012

County-wide median from ACS 5-year estimates. A household at 100% MHI in Thurston County should be able to afford a home up to roughly — (30% housing budget, default mortgage terms).

Workforce range — HUD Area Median Income

	1-person	2-person	4-person
80% AMI	$52,750	$60,250	$75,300
100% AMI	$54,040	$61,760	$77,200
120% AMI	$64,850	$74,100	$92,650

HUD FMR Area: Thurston County, NE. 80% AMI uses HUD's published Section 8 Low Income Limits; 100% is HUD MFI; 120% is the standard workforce convention.

Affordability calculator

Follows the standard 30%-of-gross-income affordability rule.

Income basis Household income Interest rate % Down payment % Taxes & insurance / yr

Affordable monthly—

Affordable home price—

Renter cost burden

25.8% of renter households spend ≥30% of income on rent (11.5% spend ≥50%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25070.

Owner cost burden by income

15.2% of homeowners spend ≥30% of income on housing. Bars show counts of cost-burdened owners by income bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25106.

Household income — owners vs renters

Distribution of household income for owner-occupied (navy) and renter-occupied (gold) households.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25118.

Section 4

Industry & Workforce Wages

Employment, average wages, and the housing each industry's typical earner can afford in Thurston County.

Covered employment

3,216

Across 13 sectors

Establishments

145

QCEW 2024

Avg annual pay (workforce)

$57,687

Employment-weighted across sectors

Top 10 sectors by employment

Annual average employment by NAICS 2-digit sector. Counties with fewer than five covered establishments in a sector may show suppressed totals.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024.

Attainable housing by industry

Industry	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 92 Public administration NAICS 92	837	$51,009	$158,853	+$44,253	$1,275
NAICS 62 Health care and social assistance NAICS 62	837	$70,289	$230,620	+$116,020	$1,757
NAICS 61 Educational services NAICS 61	751	$52,433	$164,154	+$49,554	$1,311
NAICS 42 Wholesale trade NAICS 42	161	$73,194	$241,433	+$126,833	$1,830
NAICS 56 Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services NAICS 56	152	$62,188	$200,465	+$85,865	$1,555
NAICS 31-33 Manufacturing NAICS 31-33	138	$58,411	$186,406	+$71,806	$1,460
NAICS 11 Agriculture, forestry, fishing and hunting NAICS 11	93	$45,763	$139,326	+$24,726	$1,144
NAICS 44-45 Retail trade NAICS 44-45	88	$26,215	$66,562	−$48,038	$655
NAICS 23 Construction NAICS 23	44	$67,700	$220,983	+$106,383	$1,693
NAICS 52 Finance and insurance NAICS 52	40	$61,837	$199,159	+$84,559	$1,546
NAICS 48-49 Transportation and warehousing NAICS 48-49	32	$54,062	$170,218	+$55,618	$1,352
NAICS 53 Real estate and rental and leasing NAICS 53	29	$43,168	$129,666	+$15,066	$1,079
NAICS 81 Other services (except public administration) NAICS 81	14	$23,153	$55,164	−$59,436	$579

Subsector	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 921 Executive, legislative, and other general government support NAICS 921	768	$49,585	$153,553	+$38,953	$1,240
NAICS 611 Educational services NAICS 611	751	$52,433	$164,154	+$49,554	$1,311
NAICS 622 Hospitals NAICS 622	526	$79,444	$264,698	+$150,098	$1,986
NAICS 623 Nursing and residential care facilities NAICS 623	193	$57,793	$184,106	+$69,506	$1,445
NAICS 424 Merchant wholesalers, nondurable goods NAICS 424	116	$76,846	$255,027	+$140,427	$1,921
NAICS 112 Animal production and aquaculture NAICS 112	53	$40,534	$119,862	+$5,262	$1,013
NAICS 423 Merchant wholesalers, durable goods NAICS 423	46	$62,393	$201,228	+$86,628	$1,560
NAICS 457 Gasoline stations and fuel dealers NAICS 457	42	$24,310	$59,471	−$55,129	$608
NAICS 111 Crop production NAICS 111	39	$54,042	$170,143	+$55,543	$1,351
NAICS 923 Administration of human resource programs NAICS 923	36	$83,432	$279,543	+$164,943	$2,086
NAICS 925 Administration of housing programs, urban planning, and community development NAICS 925	24	$45,428	$138,079	+$23,479	$1,136
NAICS 236 Construction of buildings NAICS 236	15	$52,071	$162,806	+$48,206	$1,302
NAICS 491 Postal service NAICS 491	14	$51,162	$159,423	+$44,823	$1,279
NAICS 926 Administration of economic programs NAICS 926	7	$48,648	$150,065	+$35,465	$1,216
NAICS 624 Social assistance NAICS 624	3	$55,850	$176,873	+$62,273	$1,396
NAICS 924 Administration of environmental quality programs NAICS 924	3	$59,584	$190,772	+$76,172	$1,490

Affordable home price assumes the industry's average earner uses 30% of gross income for housing, with a 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr taxes & insurance, and 0.5% PMI. Adjust the Section 3 calculator for other terms. Affordable rent is 30% of monthly gross pay.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024; ACS 5-year 2024 (median home value).

Section 5

Wages by Occupation

Selected essential-worker occupations for the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county — jobs, the 10-year change, wages, and the housing each typical earner can afford. Both jobs counts and wages are reported at the MSA / nonmetropolitan-area level (BLS does not publish OEWS at the county level), so every county inside the same area shows the same numbers. For county-accurate employment totals, see Section 4 above.

Occupational wages and affordable housing

Occupation	2025 jobs	2015–2025 change	% change	Hourly wage	Annual wage	Affordable home price	Affordable monthly rent
Fast Food and Counter Workers SOC 35-3023 · prior-year code differs	2,660	410	18%	$14.68	$30,530	$82,624	$763
Cashiers SOC 41-2011	2,680	(230)	(8%)	$14.77	$30,720	$83,331	$768
Childcare Workers SOC 39-9011	660	270	69%	$15.56	$32,370	$89,473	$809
Retail Salespersons SOC 41-2031	1,940	(480)	(20%)	$16.85	$35,040	$99,411	$876
Waiters and Waitresses SOC 35-3031	860	(450)	(34%)	$17.05	$35,460	$100,975	$887
Tellers SOC 43-3071	650	(100)	(13%)	$18.07	$37,580	$108,866	$940
Janitors and Cleaners SOC 37-2011	1,090	(520)	(32%)	$18.22	$37,900	$110,057	$948
Office Clerks, General SOC 43-9061	1,040	(1,050)	(50%)	$18.76	$39,020	$114,226	$976
Home Health and Personal Care Aides SOC 31-1131 · prior-year code differs	1,920	(250)	(12%)	$20.27	$42,170	$125,952	$1,054
Construction Laborers SOC 47-2061	860	520	153%	$22.52	$46,850	$143,372	$1,171
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General SOC 49-9071	1,220	80	7%	$23.65	$49,200	$152,120	$1,230
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032	2,110	(180)	(8%)	$27.33	$56,840	$180,558	$1,421
Electricians SOC 47-2111	700	290	71%	$27.76	$57,740	$183,908	$1,444
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC 47-2152	240	—	—	$28.44	$59,150	$189,157	$1,479
Firefighters SOC 33-2011	100	—	—	$28.65	$59,580	$190,757	$1,490
Carpenters SOC 47-2031	360	(530)	(60%)	$28.75	$59,800	$191,576	$1,495
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021	990	(190)	(16%)	—	$62,110	$200,175	$1,553
Paramedics SOC 29-2043 · prior-year code differs	50	(50)	(50%)	$31.62	$65,770	$213,799	$1,644
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051	400	10	3%	$31.86	$66,270	$215,660	$1,657
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141	2,020	200	11%	$40.78	$84,820	$284,709	$2,121

Affordable home price uses the same Section 3 formula (30% housing budget, 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr T&I, 0.5% PMI). Affordable rent is 30% of monthly wages. Negative job-change values are shown in red parentheses. A "prior-year code differs" note flags occupations whose SOC code changed between the two vintages (2010 SOC → 2018 SOC) — the change estimate is best-effort.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (10-year change vs. May 2015). Jobs counts and wages reflect the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county, not the county alone — OEWS is not published at the county level.

Methodology & sources

All figures derive from the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. State and national comparisons are population-weighted aggregates of county-level estimates (an approximation; ACS publishes its own state and national medians which can differ slightly).

The affordability calculator uses a 30% housing-budget rule with a 30-year mortgage. Defaults are 7% interest, 5% down, $2,500/year taxes and insurance, and 0.5% PMI — adjustable above.

Variables: 31173 · pulled from Full Housing Data Table.xlsx.