Norfolk, NE
Census place 3134615 · pop 26,054
Hometown of late-night legend Johnny Carson, who grew up here before hosting The Tonight Show.
Source ↗Sales & income are statewide.
The breakdown — worst first
U.S. median 90.0% · worse than most cities
84.6% of homes have broadband · Share of households with a broadband internet subscription.
U.S. median 0.43 · worse than most cities
Gini 0.48 (0 = equal, 1 = unequal) · Gini index of household income (0 = equal, 1 = unequal).
U.S. median 36.5% · worse than most cities
39.4% of adults · Share of adults with obesity (BMI ≥ 30).
U.S. median $67,857 · worse than most cities
$58,884 median household income · Median household income — a proxy for local economic health.
U.S. median 0.99% · worse than most cities
1.41% of home value paid in property tax · Median real-estate taxes paid as a share of home value.
U.S. median 24.3% · worse than most cities
24.0% have a bachelor's degree or higher · Share of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher.
U.S. median 12.1% · worse than most cities
14.3% live in poverty · Share of residents living below the federal poverty line.
U.S. median 26.5% · worse than most cities
27.1% of adults · Adults with no leisure-time physical activity.
U.S. median 9.3% · worse than most cities
10.8% of adults · Adults 18–64 without health insurance.
U.S. median 67.2% · worse than most cities
60.9% own their home · Share of occupied homes that are owner-occupied.
U.S. median 14.6% · worse than most cities
14.0% of adults · Share of adults who currently smoke.
U.S. median 964/100k · better than most cities
1151 property crimes per 100k · Burglary, theft, motor-vehicle theft and arson per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median 152/100k · better than most cities
126 violent crimes per 100k · Violent crimes (murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) per 100,000 residents.
U.S. median $214,900 · better than most cities
$211,700 median home value · Median home value — how expensive it is to buy in. Higher = less affordable.
U.S. median +2.4% · better than most cities
+6.7% population change (5yr) · 5-year population change — are people moving in, or fleeing?
U.S. median 77/100 · better than most cities
67/100 FEMA risk (higher = riskier) · FEMA National Risk Index — wildfire, flood, earthquake, heat and more. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 17.4% · better than most cities
14.4% of adults · Adults reporting frequent poor mental health (14+ days a month).
U.S. median $1,756/mo · better than most cities
$1,205/mo typical rent · Typical monthly rent (Zillow Observed Rent Index, all home types).
U.S. median 3.6% · better than most cities
2.3% unemployment · Share of the labor force out of work. Published by county, not city — every city in the county shares this figure.
U.S. median 24 min · better than most cities
13 min average one-way commute · Average one-way commute to work, in minutes.
Not measured for Norfolk: Air, Bad air. Not every public source covers every city — EPA air monitors and Zillow rent only reach some places, and national crime data is still being added.
Frequently asked
- Is Norfolk, NE a good place to live?
- By the numbers, Norfolk scores 59/100 — a D (Meh) on Shcity, which ranks U.S. cities on public data across 20 metrics like crime, cost, jobs and health. Its strongest area is commute time and its weakest is broadband access. Nebraska overall ranks #12 of 50 states. Whether it's "good" depends on what you value — re-weight the factors to score it your way.
- How safe is Norfolk, NE?
- Norfolk reports 126 violent crimes per 100k and 1151 property crimes per 100k — better than most U.S. cities on violent crime.
- Is Norfolk, NE expensive to live in?
- Norfolk has a median home value of $211,700 and typical rent around $1,205/mo — more affordable than most U.S. cities.
- What's the biggest downside of living in Norfolk, NE?
- Its weakest measured area is broadband access (84.6%) — 11/100, worse than most U.S. cities.
- What is Norfolk, NE best at?
- Its strongest measured area is commute time (13 min) — 98/100, better than most U.S. cities. Fun fact: Hometown of late-night legend Johnny Carson, who grew up here before hosting The Tonight Show.
Sources: U.S. Census (ACS), CDC PLACES, FBI Crime Data Explorer, BLS, EPA AirData, FEMA National Risk Index, and Zillow.