Elections
Saline County, Nebraska, had approximately 10,400 registered voters in 2022, with 43% Republican, 29% Democrat, and 28% Nonpartisan. Elections include general, primary, municipal, and school board. In the 2020 presidential race, Donald Trump won 58% of the county’s vote. Polling locations include precincts in Crete, Wilber, and Friend. Key issues involve agriculture, local economy, and education. The county election office, overseen by the County Clerk, manages administration and compliance. Major parties are Republican and Democratic, with growing nonpartisan participation, reflecting the county’s rural and diverse demographic composition.
Education, Employment and Housing
Saline County, NE, hosts several schools, including four public high schools and no four-year colleges within the county. About 88% of adults have a high school diploma, while 21% hold at least a bachelor’s degree. School safety rates are above Nebraska’s average, with minimal violent incidents reported annually. The district’s average graduation rate is 94%. Educational programs include AP courses, career-technical education, and special education. Adult education is supported by community programs and nearby Southeast Community College. School ratings average 6/10 on GreatSchools.
Saline County, NE, has an employment rate of approximately 64.5%. Key industries include manufacturing (32.9%), health care & social assistance (13.5%), and retail trade (10%). The leading occupation types are production (19.5%), office & administrative support (10.6%), and management (9.9%). About 75.3% of workers commute alone by car, with an average commute time of 17.8 minutes. Major employment locations include Crete and Wilber, with a notable number of residents working in Lincoln and other nearby cities.
Saline County, NE, has a homeownership rate of about 70%, with median home values around $140,000 and median gross rents at $850. Property values have risen roughly 7% over the past year. Housing options include single-family homes, historic houses, and some apartments, especially in Crete and Wilber. Neighborhoods are primarily quiet and residential, with larger lots common in rural areas. Property tax rates average 1.84%, making local taxes relatively high compared to national averages. The market is generally affordable, attracting both families and retirees seeking a small-town atmosphere.
County Crime & Safety
Saline County, NE, reported a crime rate of approximately 17.5 offenses per 1,000 residents in 2022, lower than the national average. Property crimes, such as burglary and theft, made up around 80% of reported incidents, while violent crimes remained infrequent, with just 14 cases recorded last year. The Sheriff’s Office emphasizes community involvement and transparent reporting through annual public safety reports. Proactive patrolling and neighborhood watch programs have contributed to a steady decline in overall crime rates over the past five years.
Demographics
As of 2023, Saline County, Nebraska has a population of approximately 14,100. The median age is 37 years, with about 51% male and 49% female residents. The racial and ethnic composition is predominantly White (79%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (16%), Black or African American (2%), Asian (1%), and other races (2%). The county’s population is relatively young, with 23% under 18, and about 17% aged 65 or older.
Popular names
- Jose Lopez
- Jose Ortiz
- Jessy Lopez
- Maria Lopez
- Victor Alarcon
- Angel Castaneda
- Anh Nguyen
- Ashley Karst
- Bernice Steuer
- Carlos Lopez
- Cesar Lopez
- Daniel Burns
- David Parks
- Denise Hawley
- Dustin Beck
- Elizabeth Ourecky
- Ernest Asher
- Giovanny Larios
- Jacob Clouse
- James Moore
- Jason Dubray
- Jennifer Phillips
- John Hensel
- John Walker
- Jose Manzo
- Jose Mendez
- Jose Ramos
- Manuel Ordaz
- Nicole Straub
- Oscar Franco
- Phuong Le
- Raymond Slama
- Robert Booth
- Robert Slama
- Robert Vyhnalek
- Roger Miller
- Sarah Allen
- Scott Holling
- Abby Beckley
- Adam Gordon
- Alen Kavaz
- Alex Tietjen
- Allan Knoke
- Allison Meints
- Amanda Souders
- Amy Rahorst
- Angela Tobar
- Angelica Garcia
- Ann Allen
- Armando Perez
- Arminda Avelar
- Beatriz Diaz
- Bonifacio Guox
- Brandon Johnson
- Brandon Rausch
- Bruce Pomajzl
- Bud Brinkman
- Carol Jones
- Carolyn Pavlish
- Casey Steffensmeier
Other Counties in Nebraska
- Adams
- Antelope
- Arthur
- Banner
- Blaine
- Boone
- Box Butte
- Boyd
- Brown
- Buffalo
- Burt
- Butler
- Cass
- Cedar
- Chase
- Cherry
- Cheyenne
- Clay
- Colfax
- Cuming
- Custer
- Dakota
- Dawes
- Dawson
- Deuel
- Dixon
- Dodge
- Douglas
- Dundy
- Fillmore
- Franklin
- Frontier
- Furnas
- Gage
- Garden
- Garfield
- Gosper
- Grant
- Greeley
- Hall
- Hamilton
- Harlan
- Hayes
- Hitchcock
- Holt
- Hooker
- Howard
- Jefferson
- Johnson
- Kearney
- Keith