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Settled by western pioneers to become a rich and fertile region of the Great Plains, today Nebraska "The Cornhusker State" remains a giant in agricultural production and leads in the nation in the production of beef, pork, corn and soybeans.

In addition to farming & meat packing, Nebraska is today one of America's top providers of corn-based ethanol. With large tracts given over to farmland, approximately half of the population can be found in the state's two largest cities, Lincoln and Omaha.

Top hiring companies in the two major urban areas include those in freight transport, information technology, healthcare and hospitals, banking and insurance.

Nebraska quality-of-life statistics

Demographics : (Nebraska Census Data)
Major cities: Lincoln (capital), Omaha, Bellevue, Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings
Population : 1,768,331
White : 92%
Black, African American : 4.3%
Hispanic : 7.1%
High school graduates : 86.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher : 23.7%
Average household income: $42,166

Cost of Living: Sperling's Best Places - Nebraska - Compared to the rest of the country, Nebraska's cost of living is 21.73% lower than the U.S. average.

Property Taxes : Nebraska Tax Climate - Comparatively high, with $1,148 in property taxes collected per capita in 2004, ranking 16th nationally.

Housing & Real Estate Overview : also see Zillow - Nebraska Real Estate
Home ownership rate : 67.4%
Average home price : $132,900
Average travel time to work : 18 minutes

Personal Income Taxes: Nebraska collects state income tax in rates ranging from 2.56 percent to 6.84 percent depending on income and filing status. Residents are required to file state income taxes using Form 1040N each year by April 15.

Schools : Nebraska allocates some 30% of their budget to education. According to the most recent data, the number of students reaching proficiency in math and reading stands at about 85% of those tested. Also see Nebraska Department of Education

Weather : Generally dry in the western panhandle, Nebraska's climate is wetter heading east with rain most prevalent in the southeastern part of the state. Overall, temperatures run to the extreme throughout Nebraska, which traditionally experiences sub-zero temperatures during the winter and heat waves in summer. As part of the infamous Tornado Alley, the state is most prone to thunderstorms and tornados in early spring and summer.

Crime : see Nebraska Crime Rates - 1960 - 2005

also see -> Nebraska Taxes | Nebraska Eviction Laws | Nebraska Tourism