What are the schools like in Benkelman, NE?

Benkelman is served primarily by DUNDY CO STRATTON PUBLIC SCHS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.2:1.

What is the median household income in Benkelman?

The median household income in Benkelman, NE is $45,294 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 0.0%.

What is the weather like in Benkelman, NE?

Benkelman has an average high temperature of 42.5°F in January and 91.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 19.7 inches and annual snowfall averages 27.6 inches.

Benkelman, NE Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Benkelman, NE affordable or expensive?

Benkelman's cost of living index is 83, where 100 represents the national average. This means Benkelman is 17% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $85,000 and the median rent is $473 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Benkelman, NE?

Crime rate data for Benkelman is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Benkelman, NE a Good Place to Live?

Benkelman is a small town of 921 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $45,294 . Its cost of living index is 83 (US average = 100), which is 17% below the national average.

Strengths: Benkelman stands out for an affordable cost of living, below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B+), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Benkelman is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Benkelman city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 83.4

Benkelman's overall cost of living index is 83.4, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Benkelman costs roughly 17% less than the average American city.

Metric	Benkelman, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$85,000	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$473	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	72.9%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$45,294	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Benkelman is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Benkelman is served primarily by DUNDY CO STRATTON PUBLIC SCHS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Benkelman, NE	National Avg
School District	DUNDY CO STRATTON PUBLIC SCHS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.2:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	22.9%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.0%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Benkelman sees average highs of 42.5°F in January and 91.4°F in July, with 19.7 inches of annual precipitation and 27.6 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Benkelman, NE
Average High — January	42.5°F
Average High — July	91.4°F
Annual Precipitation	19.7"
Annual Snowfall	27.6"

Demographics

Metric	Benkelman, NE	National Avg
Population	921	—
Median Age	41.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	0.0%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	8.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	98.2%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.2%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.9%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	23.2%	22.2%
65 and over	24.8%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Max, NE 9 mi Parks, NE 10 mi Stratton, NE 18 mi McDonald, KS 20 mi Bird City, KS 21 mi

ZIP Codes in Benkelman

Benkelman, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

69021

Benkelman vs Other Cities

Benkelman, NE vs Max, NE Benkelman, NE vs Parks, NE Benkelman, NE vs Stratton, NE Benkelman, NE vs McDonald, KS Benkelman, NE vs Bird City, KS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Benkelman, NE affordable or expensive?

Benkelman's cost of living index is 83, where 100 is the national average. That makes Benkelman roughly 17% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $85,000 and median rent is $473/month.

What is the crime rate in Benkelman, NE?

Crime data for Benkelman is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Benkelman?

Public schools in Benkelman are operated by DUNDY CO STRATTON PUBLIC SCHS. The district has 1 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.2:1. 22.9% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Benkelman, NE a good place to live?

Benkelman, NE has a population of 921, a median household income of $45,294, and an unemployment rate of 0.0%. It offers below-average costs of living, which stretches take-home pay further than in most American cities. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Benkelman?

Benkelman averages 42.5°F in January and 91.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 19.7 inches with about 27.6 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Benkelman?

Benkelman, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 69021.

What is the population of Benkelman?

The population of Benkelman, Nebraska is 921 with a median age of 41.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Benkelman?

Key numbers for living in Benkelman: cost of living index 83 (100 = US average), median home $85,000, median household income $45,294, schools rated B+. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Benkelman side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.