Signals
Big Spring
Lincoln
Growth
48 · Bottom 48%
vs41 · Bottom 35%
Climate
62 · Bottom 35%
vs67 · Top 50%
Physical resilience
62 · Top 41%
vs63 · Top 40%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
98 · Top 7%
vs88 · Top 28%
Economic stability
36 · Bottom 27%
vs51 · Top 50%
Measured values
| Metric | Big Spring | Lincoln | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 32,290 | 27,713 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,649 | $66,358 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $34,939 | $35,126 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 36/sq mi | 45/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $155,600 | $134,400 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $1,034 | $829 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 69.5% | 68.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15.7% | 20.9% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 13.1% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 77 | 29 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.4 | 1.0 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 450.0% | 222.2% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 96°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 31°F | 20°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 19.6" | 38.0" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 8 mi | 26 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 23.2 min | 22.3 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 36.7 | 41.1 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
A bolded value is the more favorable of the two where the metric has a clear direction. Metrics like population and density have no inherent better or worse and are shown unweighted.
Physical risk tradeoff
Big Spring
Elevated or high exposure: drought, wildfire.
Lincoln
Elevated or high exposure: drought, strong wind, earthquake.
Your best match
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Big Spring
68
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Lincoln
68
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Area Score
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Full profiles: Big Spring, TX Micro Area · Lincoln, IL Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology