Signals
Grand Island
Kearney
Growth
63 · Top 29%
vs60 · Top 34%
Climate
60 · Bottom 24%
vs59 · Bottom 21%
Physical resilience
26 · Bottom 14%
vs24 · Bottom 12%
Housing affordability
99 · Top 34%
vs98 · Top 37%
Access
42 · Bottom 7%
vs39 · Bottom 6%
Economic stability
80 · Top 15%
vs92 · Top 3%
Measured values
| Metric | Grand Island | Kearney | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 76,794 | 57,292 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,704 | $76,109 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $35,933 | $39,133 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 48/sq mi | 39/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $218,400 | $242,600 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $929 | $930 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 65.5% | 67.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 21.5% | 34.4% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 12.7% | 9.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 279 | 168 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 3.6 | 2.9 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | 58.5% | 17.5% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 87°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 16°F | 14°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 26.6" | 25.6" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 86 mi | 90 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 19.7 min | 18.0 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 37.0 | 35.9 | 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
Grand Island
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Kearney
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Your best match
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Grand Island
62
Your Score
61
Area Score
Kearney
62
Your Score
—
Area Score
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Full profiles: Grand Island, NE Metro Area · Kearney, NE Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology