What are the schools like in Wauneta, NE?

Wauneta is served primarily by WAUNETA-PALISADE PUBLIC SCHS. The district operates 1 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10.3:1.

What is the median household income in Wauneta?

The median household income in Wauneta, NE is $47,917 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 7.1%.

What is the weather like in Wauneta, NE?

Wauneta has an average high temperature of 41.8°F in January and 90.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 19.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 23.7 inches.

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

Q: Is Wauneta, NE affordable or expensive?

Wauneta's cost of living index is 86, where 100 represents the national average. This means Wauneta is 14% less expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $77,500 and the median rent is $668 per month.

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

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

Is Wauneta, NE a Good Place to Live?

Wauneta is a small town of 546 in Nebraska, with a median household income of $47,917 and a 7.1% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 86 (US average = 100), which is 14% below the national average.

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

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Wauneta is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Wauneta 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: 85.7

Wauneta's overall cost of living index is 85.7, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Wauneta costs roughly 14% less than the average American city.

Metric	Wauneta, NE	National Avg
Median Home Value	$77,500	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$668	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	63.0%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$47,917	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

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

Schools & Education

Wauneta is served primarily by WAUNETA-PALISADE PUBLIC SCHS. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.3:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Wauneta, NE	National Avg
School District	WAUNETA-PALISADE PUBLIC SCHS	—
Elementary Schools	1	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	10.3:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	16.8%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	97.8%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Wauneta sees average highs of 41.8°F in January and 90.9°F in July, with 19.1 inches of annual precipitation and 23.7 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Wauneta, NE
Average High — January	41.8°F
Average High — July	90.9°F
Annual Precipitation	19.1"
Annual Snowfall	23.7"

Demographics

Metric	Wauneta, NE	National Avg
Population	546	—
Median Age	54.2	38.9
Unemployment Rate	7.1%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	14.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	95.8%	59.3%
Black or African American	0.0%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	3.5%	18.9%
Asian	0.0%	6.3%
Under 18	20.1%	22.2%
65 and over	39.7%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Hamlet, NE 8 mi Enders, NE 9 mi Palisade, NE 15 mi Imperial, NE 15 mi Champion, NE 20 mi

ZIP Codes in Wauneta

Wauneta, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code:

69045

Wauneta vs Other Cities

Wauneta, NE vs Hamlet, NE Wauneta, NE vs Enders, NE Wauneta, NE vs Palisade, NE Wauneta, NE vs Imperial, NE Wauneta, NE vs Champion, NE

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Wauneta, NE affordable or expensive?

Wauneta's cost of living index is 86, where 100 is the national average. That makes Wauneta roughly 14% less expensive than a typical US city — a meaningful affordability advantage. The median home price is $77,500 and median rent is $668/month.

What is the crime rate in Wauneta, NE?

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

What are the schools like in Wauneta?

Public schools in Wauneta are operated by WAUNETA-PALISADE PUBLIC SCHS. The district has 1 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 10.3:1. 16.8% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Wauneta, NE a good place to live?

Wauneta, NE has a population of 546, a median household income of $47,917, and an unemployment rate of 7.1%. 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 Wauneta?

Wauneta averages 41.8°F in January and 90.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 19.1 inches with about 23.7 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Wauneta?

Wauneta, NE is covered by 1 ZIP code: 69045.

What is the population of Wauneta?

The population of Wauneta, Nebraska is 546 with a median age of 54.2. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Wauneta?

Key numbers for living in Wauneta: cost of living index 86 (100 = US average), median home $77,500, median household income $47,917, crime index 1 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Wauneta side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.