Scores by category

Each category averages its indicators' percentile scores among US metro and micro areas.

Safety—
Economy77#217/925
Housing80#185/925
Health88#108/925
Healthcare89#98/923
Environment90#91/917
Education62#353/925
Infrastructure41#550/925
Community98#24/925
Leisure & amenities74#238/925

Strengths · Weaknesses

Indicators where Norfolk, NE micropolitan area ranks highest and lowest among US metro and micro areas (score = percentile, 100 = best).

Strengths

Depression · low17.1%
99/100Nebraska 18.7%United States 20.7%2023Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAggregated from counties
Frequent mental distress · low14.9%
98/100Nebraska 15.3%United States 18.6%2023University of Wisconsin Population Health InstituteAggregated from counties
Drug overdose deaths · low4.0 /100k
98/100Nebraska 6.6 /100kUnited States 18.4 /100kMar 2025–Feb 2026Centers for Disease Control and PreventionAggregated from counties
Injury deaths · low59 /100k
97/100Nebraska 66 /100kUnited States 87 /100k2019-2023University of Wisconsin Population Health InstituteAggregated from counties
Public libraries · high2.0 /10k
96/100Nebraska 1.4 /10kUnited States 0.5 /10k2024Institute of Museum and Library ServicesAggregated from counties
Average commute time · low16.1 min
96/100Nebraska 19.2 minUnited States 26.4 min2020-2024U.S. Census Bureau Census table B08013

Weaknesses

Public transit commuters · low0.0%
6/100Nebraska 0.5%United States 3.2%2020-2024U.S. Census Bureau Census table B08301High uncertainty
New business applications · low8.3 /1k
12/100Nebraska 11.3 /1kUnited States 16.6 /1k2025U.S. Census BureauAggregated from counties
Broadband subscriptions · low84.5%
15/100Nebraska 90.6%United States 91.0%2020-2024U.S. Census Bureau Census table B28002
Distance to an Amtrak station · high93 mi
18/100Nebraska 29 miUnited States 43 mi2026Federal Aviation Administration · Bureau of Transportation Statistics · U.S. Census BureauAggregated from counties
Effective property tax rate · high1.29%
19/100Nebraska 1.44%United States 0.94%2020-2024U.S. Census Bureau Census table B25090
Distance to an airport · high94 mi
19/100Nebraska 65 miUnited States 33 mi2025Federal Aviation Administration · Bureau of Transportation Statistics · U.S. Census BureauAggregated from counties

Trends

The largest changes over about five years, next to the country's over the same periods.

Drought exposureWorsening
31% (2021) → 66% (Oct 2025–Sep 2026)
+35 pts5 yearsUS 40% → 43%
Homicide rateImproving
2.6 /100k (2020) → 0.0 /100k (May 2025–Apr 2026)
−100%6 yearsUS 7.4 /100k → 4.8 /100k
Access to exercise opportunitiesImproving
66.3% (2010 & 2021) → 81.3% (2022 & 2024)
+15 pts3 yearsUS 79.8% → 84.5%
Gyms and fitness centersImproving
0.6 /10k (2020) → 1.0 /10k (2025)
+65%5 yearsUS 1.2 /10k → 1.3 /10k
Income adjusted for local pricesImproving
$57,906 (2019) → $85,950 (2024)
+48%5 yearsUS $55,567 → $73,204
Traffic deathsImproving
19.9 /100k (2015-2019) → 11.5 /100k (2020-2024)
−42%5 yearsUS 11.3 /100k → 12.3 /100k

What changed in five years

How each measure moved between two periods about five years apart, read against whether more or less is better, the published margin of error and the same change in other places.

Over about five years, Norfolk, NE micropolitan area improved on 13 of 28 measures with a comparison and declined on 4. 8 moved within the margin of error and 3 barely changed.

Earlier period
Latest period
Lower standingHigher standing

Position is the place's standing among metro and micro areas: further right is better, whichever way the measure counts. Periods differ by measure (most compare 2015-2019 with 2020-2024); each row names its own in its tooltip and in the table.

Improved13

Real income+48%$57,906 → $85,950
Gyms+65%0.6 /10k → 1.0 /10k
Homicides−100%2.6 /100k → 0.0 /100k
Traffic deaths−42%19.9 /100k → 11.5 /100k
Weekly wage+26%$876 → $1,108

Declined4

Inequality+0.0320.428 → 0.460
Restaurants−13%10.5 /10k → 9.1 /10k
Price / income+0.6×2.5× → 3.1×
Pharmacies−9.3%2.5 /10k → 2.2 /10k

All 28 measures

Change of every measure of Norfolk, NE micropolitan area between two periods about five years apart
Measure	Before	After	Change	Reading	Favourable vs peers
Arts, entertainment and recreation	3.7 /10k2020	4.3 /10k2025	+15%	Improved	66%
Average commute time	15.8 min2015-2019	16.1 min2020-2024	+0.3 min	Within the margin of error	54%
Average weekly wage	$8762020	$1,1082025	+26%	Improved	76%
Bachelor's degree or higher	22.4%2015-2019	23.8%2020-2024	+1.4 points	Within the margin of error	21%
Broadband subscriptions	78.7%2015-2019	84.5%2020-2024	+5.8 points	Improved	13%
Child poverty rate	15.7%2015-2019	12.1%2020-2024	−3.6 points	Improved	65%
Distance to an airport	94 mi2020	94 mi2025	+0 mi	Little change	15%
Drug overdose deaths	4.3 /100k2020	4.0 /100kMar 2025–Feb 2026	−8%	Improved	34%
Effective property tax rate	1.36%2015-2019	1.29%2020-2024	−0.1 points	Within the margin of error	30%
Grocery stores	2.3 /10k2020	2.4 /10k2025	+7.9%	Improved	73%
Gyms and fitness centers	0.6 /10k2020	1.0 /10k2025	+65%	Improved	92%
High school diploma or higher	91.6%2015-2019	92.0%2020-2024	+0.4 points	Within the margin of error	12%
Home price to income ratio	2.5×2015-2019	3.1×2020-2024	+0.6×	Declined	34%
Homicide rate	2.6 /100k2020	0.0 /100kMay 2025–Apr 2026	−100%	Improved	95%
Income adjusted for local prices	$57,9062019	$85,9502024	+48%	Improved	97%
Income inequality (Gini index)	0.4282015-2019	0.4602020-2024	+0.032	Declined	5%
Median household income	$55,7932015-2019	$65,9682020-2024	+18%	Improved	9%
New business applications	5.8 /1k2020	8.3 /1k2025	+42%	Improved	43%
Pharmacies	2.5 /10k2020	2.2 /10k2025	−9.3%	Declined	49%
Poverty rate	12.8%2015-2019	11.8%2020-2024	−1 points	Within the margin of error	50%
Public libraries	2.1 /10k2019	2.0 /10k2024	−1.6%	Little change	51%
Rent as share of income	24.2%2015-2019	25.5%2020-2024	+1.3 points	Within the margin of error	31%
Rent-burdened households	35.9%2015-2019	37.9%2020-2024	+1.9 points	Within the margin of error	40%
Restaurants and bars	10.5 /10k2020	9.1 /10k2025	−13%	Declined	8%
Suicide rate	14.7 /100k2020	15.0 /100kMay 2025–Apr 2026	+2.1%	Little change	57%
Traffic deaths	19.9 /100k2015-2019	11.5 /100k2020-2024	−42%	Improved	98%
Unemployment rate	4.0%2020	2.8%2025	−1.2 points	Improved	7%
Uninsured residents (under 65)	9.0%2015-2019	8.2%2020-2024	−0.8 points	Within the margin of error	66%

“Against peers” compares the change with the same change in the 786 metro and micro areas that have the same two periods. It describes how common a change is, not why it happened.

Sources: Regional Economic Accounts; Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; Mapping Injury, Overdose, and Violence; American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates; Business Formation Statistics; Public Libraries Survey; Fatality Analysis Reporting System; Distance to airports and intercity rail. Values are the latest and the one five years earlier of the same publisher dataset; datasets that changed publisher in between are never compared.

Survey estimates (American Community Survey) compare the two most recent 5-year windows that do not share years, so the margin of error of the difference holds. The 2015-2019 window predates the pandemic and 2020-2024 includes it.
A change counts only when it is larger than 1.645 times the square root of the two standard errors squared, summed (a 90% margin). Measures published without a margin must change by at least 5% to count.
“Against peers” compares the change with the same change in the 925 metro and micro areas that have the same two periods. It describes how common a change is, not why it happened.
Standing is a percentile among the same places: 0 is the lowest value on the measure (or the worst when lower is better), 100 the best.

Metro and micro areas like Norfolk, NE micropolitan area five years ago that improved

The places whose measures looked most like those of Norfolk, NE micropolitan area in the earlier period, ranked by how many measures improved beyond the margin of error, minus how many declined. A comparison of published data, not a forecast and not advice.

For comparison, Norfolk, NE micropolitan area itself moved −1.4 points in standing on average over the same 27 measures (standings of all places average about zero).

How the ranking works

Similarity is the root-mean-square difference of standings in the earlier period over the measures most places have. Places are ranked by measures that improved beyond the margin of error minus those that declined (a count that estimation noise in small places cannot inflate), then by the mean change of standing over the measures a place has in both periods. Only places with more improvements than declines and a rise in standing are listed. Standings are relative, so a place can improve in absolute terms and still lose standing.

Who lives here

Age, race and education of residents, from the American Community Survey. Shares are of all residents (age), residents of every origin (race) or adults 25 and over (education).

Age and sex

48,653 residents

Men
Women

80 and over
70–79
60–69
50–59
40–49
30–39
20–29
10–19
Under 10

Share of all residents, each sex

Biggest shift since 2015–2019: 50–59 women (−1.4 points).

Table view

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024 · Table B01001View table on data.census.gov

Race and Hispanic origin

48,653 residents

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

White81%39,461
Black0.6%†315
Hispanic or Latino13%6,401

Education

32,192 residents (±118)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

No high school diploma8.0%2,587
High school or GED30%9,685
Some college20%6,590

Counts are survey estimates, each with a margin of error. The grouping into ranges is ours; every count is the Census Bureau's.

Income

How household income is spread, not just the middle: each bar is the share of households in that income range.

Household income

19,617 households (±227)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

Under $25k18%3,500
$25k–50k19%3,650
$50k–75k20%3,983
$75k–100k14%2,658
$100k–150k16%3,151
$150k–200k6.6%1,293
$200k or more7.0%1,382

Biggest shift since 2015–2019: $25k–50k (−6.4 points).

Table view

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024 · Table B19001View table on data.census.gov

Counts are survey estimates, each with a margin of error. The grouping into ranges is ours; every count is the Census Bureau's.

Homes

Who owns and who rents, what homes cost, and what the housing stock looks like.

Owners and renters

19,617 households (±227)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

Own69%13,496
Rent31%6,121

No change since 2015–2019 is larger than the margin of error.

Table view

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024 · Table B25003View table on data.census.gov

Rent paid

5,592 households (±298)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

Under $75032%1,775
$750–1,00033%1,868
$1,000–1,50029%1,601

Home values

13,496 homes (±323)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

Under $150k29%3,970
$150k–250k35%4,720
$250k–400k22%3,024
$400k–750k

Age of homes

21,129 homes (±50)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

2010 or later7.4%1,572
2000–20097.6%1,602
1980–199921%4,501

Size of homes

21,129 homes (±50)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

Studio2.6%†552
1 bedroom11%2,239
2 bedrooms28%5,811

Counts are survey estimates, each with a margin of error. The grouping into ranges is ours; every count is the Census Bureau's.

Getting to work

How workers travel to their job and how long it takes them.

How people get to work

24,200 workers (±566)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

Drive alone80%19,371
Carpool10%2,489
Public transit0.0%†3
Walk2.1%509
Bike0.2%†42
Work from home6.2%1,510
Other1.1%†276

Biggest shift since 2015–2019: Work from home (+1.6 points).

† Wide margin of error (more than 30% of the estimate): read with care.

Table view

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–2024 · Table B08301View table on data.census.gov

Time to get to work

22,690 workers (±605)

Norfolk, NE micropolitan area
United States share

Under 15 min57%12,889
15–29 min29%6,545
30–44 min8.7%1,984

Counts are survey estimates, each with a margin of error. The grouping into ranges is ours; every count is the Census Bureau's.

Jobs and pay

What the largest occupations here pay, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes no occupation wages for Norfolk, NE micropolitan area.

Local businesses

Employer businesses and sole proprietors by industry, per resident and against the state and the nation. Counts of businesses next to counts of people, not a measure of demand.

Norfolk, NE has 1,574 employer establishments, 321 for every 10,000 residents (1.29× the US rate of 248), with 22,250 paid employees at an average annual pay of $52,481. The Census Bureau also counts 4,251 nonemployer businesses, mostly sole proprietors.

Establishments: 1,574; 4,251 nonemployers
Per 10,000 residents: 321; US 248
Paid employees: 22,250
Average annual pay: $52,481; US $68,342

Employer establishments, employees, average pay and nonemployers of Norfolk, NE by industry, with the density per resident against the nation

Ambulatory health care services	117	23.9	1.15×About typical	1,434	$80,262	130
Specialty trade contractors	117	23.9	1.54×More than typical	643	$60,373	356
Truck transportation	89	18.2	3.59×More than typical	386	$64,513	252
Restaurants and other eating places	80	16.3	0.89×About typical	1,539	$18,908	15
Construction of buildings	59	12	1.59×More than typical	227	$66,048	147
Lessors of real estate	56	11.4	0.93×About typical	134	$32,679	561
Insurance agencies and brokerages	53	10.8	2.46×More than typical	165	$50,679	84
Automotive repair and maintenance	51	10.4	2.07×More than typical	275	$40,389	86
Religious organizations	50	10.2	1.84×More than typical	479	$24,230	—
Building equipment contractors	48	9.8	1.63×More than typical	326	$60,166	56
Limited-service restaurants	41	8.4	1.04×About typical	723	$19,402	7
Offices of other health practitioners	41	8.4	1.38×More than typical	257	$45,206	60

Federal contract spending

In FY2026, federal agencies obligated $153M on contracts performed in Norfolk, NE micropolitan area: $3,107 per resident (US $1,994).

Obligations: $153M; −13% vs FY2025
Per resident: $3,107; US $1,994
Sole-source: 0.0%; US 30%
Single offer: 7.1%; US 8.8%

A signal is a reason to look closer, not evidence of wrongdoing: most sole-source awards are lawful and justified.

Top buying agencies

Department of Veterans Affairs$103.8M68%
Department of the Army$34.3M22%
Department of the Air Force$9.2M6.0%
National Aeronautics and Space Administration$1.4M0.9%
Defense Logistics Agency$1.2M0.8%
Offices, Boards and Divisions$930.4K0.6%
Drug Enforcement Administration$609.8K0.4%
Federal Prison System / Bureau of Prisons$445.1K0.3%

Top recipients

METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC$116.3M76%
S365 INC$34.1M22%
COLTCAM LLC$1.1M0.7%
ARBOR CARE CENTERS - COUNTRYSIDE, LLC$902.3K0.6%
LOGISTICS365 INC$518.5K0.3%
CLEAN HARBORS ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES INC

Spending by fiscal year

29.7MFY2017
25MFY2018
20.2MFY2019
8.2MFY2020
37.6MFY2021
24MFY2022
108.2MFY2023
153.4M

Top industries (NAICS)

Computer systems design and related services · 5415$116.3M76%
Traveler accommodation · 7211$34M22%
Nursing care facilities (skilled nursing facilities) · 6231$902.3K0.6%
Computer and peripheral equipment manufacturing · 3341$854.9K0.6%
Other transportation equipment manufacturing · 3369$290.3K0.2%
Magnetic and optical media manufacturing and reproducing · 3346

Largest awards

SERVICENOW SOFTWARE-AS-A-SERVICE (SAAS) LICENSE ENTITLEMENTS$389.5M
METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC· Madison County, NE· IT & telecom· Sep 19, 2023 – Sep 21, 2026· 36C10B23F0319
THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS, OIT,EUS, EUO, ENDPOINT ENGINEERING HAS A REQUIREMENT FOR 600,000 ENDPOINT LICENSES OF 1E TACHYON SOFTWARE. 1E TACHYON IS CURRENTLY IN USE ON 170,800 VA ENDPOINTS.$31.7M
METGREEN SOLUTIONS INC· Madison County, NE· IT & telecom· May 21, 2024 – Apr 29, 2026· 36C10B24F0145
S365 MEMPHIS LODGING DEC2025/JAN 2026$27.6M
S365 INC· Madison County, NE· Transportation & logistics· Jan 26, 2026 – Apr 1, 2026· W912L726FA011
THREE SEPARATE THEATER INTEGRATED COMBAT MUNITIONS SYSTEM SOFTWARE LICENSES FOR AIR FORCE CLASS V MUNITIONS ACCOUNTABILITY AND FOR BOTH ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF ASSETS

Source: Federal contract transactions (Federal Procurement Data System) (U.S. Department of the Treasury, USAspending.gov), data current to Oct 3, 2026, loaded Oct 3, 2026.

Federal grants & assistance

Grants, loans (counted at their subsidy cost), direct payments and insurance, by fiscal year of the action (USAspending.gov, FABS). Reported apart from contracts and never added to them.

In FY2026, federal agencies obligated $322M in grants, loans, direct payments and insurance for Norfolk, NE micropolitan area: $6,540 per resident (US $12,955).

Assistance · FY2026: $322M; −6% vs FY2025
Per resident: $6,540; US $12,955
Loan face value: $11.7M; lent or guaranteed
To individuals: 11%; counted, never named

Top programs

96.002 · Social Security Retirement Insurance$193M60%
10.988 · Supplemental Disaster Relief Program$25.3M7.8%
64.109 · Veterans Compensation for Service-Connected Disability$20.6M6.4%
96.001 · Social Security Disability Insurance$19M5.9%
96.004 · Social Security Survivors Insurance$15.5M4.8%
10.990 · Farmer Bridge Assistance Program$7.3M2.3%
20.279 · National Highway Performance Program (NHPP)$5.5M1.7%
84.063 · Federal Pell Grant Program$5.4M1.7%

Top recipients (organizations)

NEBRASKA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION$8M2.5%
LINCOLN, NE
NORTHEAST COMMUNITY COLLEGE$5.8M1.8%
NORFOLK, NE
NORTHERN PONCA HOUSING AUTHORITY$4.8M1.5%
NORFOLK, NE
THE WELL NE$2.9M0.9%
NORFOLK, NE
MIDTOWN HEALTH CENTER, INC.$2.1M

Organizations only: awards to individuals and county aggregate records count in the totals but are never listed. Grants to state governments recorded at the agency's own address are counted statewide, not in the capital's county.

Top agencies

Social Security Administration$231.9M72%
Farm Service Agency$32.3M10%
Department of Agriculture
Under Secretary for Benefits/Veterans Benefits Administration$23.5M7.3%
Department of Veterans Affairs
Federal Highway Administration$8M2.5%
Department of Transportation
Department of Education$6.1M

Assistance by fiscal year

283.7MFY2021
273.7MFY2022
270.4MFY2023
271.3MFY2024
342.7MFY2025
322MFY2026

County aggregates

80%

Share of obligations reported only as county totals of many small awards (for example Social Security or Medicare payments), with no recipient named.

Source: Federal financial assistance transactions (Financial Assistance Broker Submission) (U.S. Department of the Treasury, USAspending.gov), data current to Oct 3, 2026, loaded Oct 3, 2026 · FY2021–FY2026.

Counties in Norfolk, NE

Whole counties, as the U.S. Office of Management and Budget delineates the area. Federal spending below is the exact sum of these counties.

Principal cities

The cities the area is named for.

NorfolkPrincipal city26,054

Largest cities and towns

By population, for places with most of their residents in the area.

Other metro and micro areas in Nebraska

Areas based in Nebraska, best score first.

Neighboring metro and micro areas

Places that share a border, best score first.

Columbus, NE91

Similar metro and micro areas

Closest indicator profiles across the country (no model: score distances).

Data and sources

Latest published value of each indicator; periods differ by source. Values flagged by their publisher are marked.

Mapping Injury, Overdose, and ViolenceCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · release 2026-10-01
PLACES: Local Data for Better HealthCenters for Disease Control and Prevention · release 2025
Daily county PM2.5 and ozone (EPA downscaler model)Centers for Disease Control and Prevention · U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · release 2022
Care Compare: Hospital General Information and Timely and Effective CareCenters for Medicare & Medicaid Services · release 2026-07-22
Distance to airports and intercity railFederal Aviation Administration · Bureau of Transportation Statistics · U.S. Census Bureau · release 2025+amtrak-2026-04-23
Uniform Crime Reporting Program, Return A master filesFederal Bureau of Investigation · release 2025
Public Libraries SurveyInstitute of Museum and Library Services · release FY2024
U.S. Drought Monitor county statisticsNational Drought Mitigation Center (University of Nebraska–Lincoln), USDA and NOAA · release 2026-09-29
Fatality Analysis Reporting SystemNational Highway Traffic Safety Administration · release 2024
nClimGrid-Daily county averagesNOAA National Centers for Environmental Information · release 2025
Regional Economic AccountsU.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis · release 2024
Local Area Unemployment StatisticsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · release 2025
Quarterly Census of Employment and WagesU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · release 2026 Q1
American Community Survey 5-Year EstimatesU.S. Census Bureau · release 2017-2024
Building Permits SurveyU.S. Census Bureau · release 2026-08
Business Formation StatisticsU.S. Census Bureau · release 2026-10-01
Population Estimates ProgramU.S. Census Bureau · release 2025
Small Area Health Insurance EstimatesU.S. Census Bureau · release 2024
Small Area Income and Poverty EstimatesU.S. Census Bureau · release 2024
Alternative Fuels Data Center station locatorU.S. Department of Energy · release 2026-10
Election Administration and Voting SurveyU.S. Election Assistance Commission · release 2024
County Health Rankings & RoadmapsUniversity of Wisconsin Population Health Institute · release 2022-2025+2026-03-supplement

JSON · /api/v1/places/M35740

Scores by category

Strengths · Weaknesses

Strengths

Weaknesses

Trends

What changed in five years

Improved13

Declined4

Metro and micro areas like Norfolk, NE micropolitan area five years ago that improved

Who lives here

Age and sex

Race and Hispanic origin

Education

Income

Household income

Homes

Owners and renters

Rent paid

Home values

Age of homes

Size of homes

Getting to work

How people get to work

Time to get to work

Jobs and pay

Local businesses

Federal contract spending

Top buying agencies

Top recipients

Spending by fiscal year

Top industries (NAICS)

Largest awards

Federal grants & assistance

Top programs

Top recipients (organizations)

Top agencies

Assistance by fiscal year

County aggregates

Counties in Norfolk, NE

Principal cities

Largest cities and towns

Other metro and micro areas in Nebraska

Neighboring metro and micro areas

Similar metro and micro areas

Data and sources

Improved13

Declined4

Household income

Age and sex

Race and Hispanic origin

Education

Owners and renters

Rent paid

Home values

Age of homes

Size of homes

How people get to work

Time to get to work

Top programs

Top recipients (organizations)

Top agencies

Assistance by fiscal year

County aggregates

By type

Top buying agencies

Top recipients

Spending by fiscal year

Top industries (NAICS)

Largest awards

What was bought