Signals
Hastings
Lexington
Growth
30 · Bottom 19%
vs38 · Bottom 31%
Climate
60 · Bottom 28%
vs60 · Bottom 24%
Physical resilience
29 · Bottom 18%
vs18 · Bottom 8%
Housing affordability
100 · Top 27%
vs100 · Top 27%
Access
40 · Bottom 7%
vs64 · Bottom 27%
Economic stability
79 · Top 15%
vs78 · Top 16%
Measured values
| Metric | Hastings | Lexington | Source period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 40,507 | 26,242 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median household income | $69,510 | $70,652 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Per capita income | $38,118 | $39,674 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Population density | 24/sq mi | 18/sq mi | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median home value | $175,200 | $169,200 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median gross rent | $827 | $921 | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Homeownership rate | 72.5% | 67.6% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 27.7% | 18.5% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Poverty rate | 11.5% | 10.8% | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Housing units permitted (12 months) | 99 | 38 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permits per 1,000 residents | 2.4 | 1.4 | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Permit change (year over year) | -64.9% | -7.3% | 12 months ending July 2026 |
| Average July high | 88°F | 86°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Average January low | 16°F | 15°F | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Annual precipitation | 26.4" | 23.4" | 1991-2020 Normals |
| Distance to major airport | 89 mi | 52 mi | NASR current cycle |
| Average commute | 18.4 min | 19.2 min | 2024 ACS 5-Year |
| Median age | 39.2 | 36.4 | 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
Hastings
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, lightning.
Lexington
Elevated or high exposure: hail, strong wind, tornado.
Full profiles: Hastings, NE Micro Area · Lexington, NE Micro Area · How this is calculated: methodology