What are the schools like in Nelson, NE?

Nelson is served primarily by LAWRENCE - NELSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 9.6:1.

What is the median household income in Nelson?

The median household income in Nelson, NE is $55,833 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.3%.

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

Q: Is Nelson, NE affordable or expensive?

Nelson's cost of living index is 84, where 100 represents the national average. This means Nelson is 16% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $57,700 and the median rent is $616 per month.

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

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

Q: What is the weather like in Nelson, NE?

Nelson has an average high temperature of 36.7°F in January and 88.7°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 28.0 inches and annual snowfall averages 23.3 inches.

Is Nelson, NE a Good Place to Live?

Nelson is a small town of 409 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $55,833 and a 2.3% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 84 (US average = 100), which is 16% below the national average.

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

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

All Nelson 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: 83.6

Nelson's overall cost of living index is 83.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Nelson costs roughly 16% less than the average American city.

Metric	Nelson, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$57,700	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$616	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	89.3%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$55,833	$74,755

Crime & Safety

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

Schools & Education

Nelson is served primarily by LAWRENCE - NELSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.6:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Nelson, NE	National Avg
School District	LAWRENCE - NELSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	9.6:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	15.7%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	94.1%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Nelson sees average highs of 36.7°F in January and 88.7°F in July, with 28.0 inches of annual precipitation and 23.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Nelson, NE
Average High — January	36.7°F
Average High — July	88.7°F
Annual Precipitation	28.0"
Annual Snowfall	23.3"

Demographics

Metric	Nelson, NE	National Avg
Population	409	—
Median Age	56.6	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.3%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	18.9 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	95.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.5%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.0%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	11.0%	22.2%
65 and over	24.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Nora, NE 6 mi Oak, NE 9 mi Deweese, NE 11 mi Ruskin, NE 11 mi Lawrence, NE 12 mi

ZIP Codes in Nelson

Nelson, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

68961

Nelson vs Other Cities

Nelson, NE vs Nora, NE Nelson, NE vs Oak, NE Nelson, NE vs Deweese, NE Nelson, NE vs Ruskin, NE Nelson, NE vs Lawrence, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Nelson, NE affordable or expensive?

Nelson's cost of living index is 84, where 100 is the national average. That makes Nelson roughly 16% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $57,700 and median rent is $616/month.

What is the crime rate in Nelson, NE?

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

What are the schools like in Nelson?

Public schools in Nelson are operated by LAWRENCE - NELSON PUBLIC SCHOOLS. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 9.6:1. 15.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Nelson, NE a good place to live?

Nelson, NE has a population of 409, a median household income of $55,833, and an unemployment rate of 2.3%. 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 Nelson?

Nelson averages 36.7°F in January and 88.7°F in July. Annual rainfall is 28.0 inches with about 23.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Nelson?

Nelson, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 68961.

What is the population of Nelson?

The population of Nelson, Nebraska is 409 with a median age of 56.6. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Nelson?

Key numbers for living in Nelson: cost of living index 84 (100 = US average), median home $57,700, median household income $55,833, schools rated A-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Nelson side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.