York County, with a population 13,862, is in the heart of agricultural country and a transportation corridor which includes east/west by I-80 and U.S. Hwy. 34, and north/south by U.S. 81, a major north-south 4-lane expressway that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada (Pan-America Highway). Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s main line travels through York County including Waco, York and Bradshaw. There is also a line extending up to Benedict giving many opportunities for rail service companies. Private air service is available in York, two commercial air services are within 45 minutes, and Omaha Eppely Airline is within 90 minutes giving you a choice of air service. Other competitive advantages offered here are fertile soil, plentiful underground water supply, a community minded 4-year college, a strong and loyal workforce, and some of the lowest electric rates in the nation due to Nebraska being a 100% all public power state. Businesses in York County have been able to recruit workforce from an hour drive time, which includes the metro areas of both Lincoln and Grand Island, greatly expanding the labor pool. This competitive location has attracted transportation logistics & warehousing, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture companies.
Are you looking for the perfect place to live? One that offers a multitude of amenities, recreational opportunities yet has a low cost of living? If so, we will fill you in on a little secret. It exists. In York County, Nebraska. To learn more, see links below:
Total Population
14,293
Population
Growth Rate
0.15%
Median Age
41
Diversity Index
29.300
Households
5,765
Total Housing Units
6,439
Owner Occupied
3,978
Renter Occupied
1,787
Vacant
674
Median Home Value
$187,755
Average Home Value
$227,570
Income
Growth Rate
Median
Household Income
0.00%
Per Capita Income
2.42%
Median Household
$75,438 $82,930
Average Household
$97,358 $109,088
Per Capita
$39,353 $44,360
Total Businesses
880
Total Employed
9,735
Workers 16+
6,866
2024 HealthCare / Social Assistance
Businesses
78
Employed
2,262
2024 Retail Trade Businesses
Businesses
103
Employed
1,332
2024 Accommodation / Food Service
Businesses
59
Employed
960
2024 Manufacturing Businesses
Businesses
37
Employed
811
2024 Food Service / Drinking Est.
Businesses
43
Employed
776
2024 Wholesale Trade Businesses
Businesses
32
Employed
669
Some
High School
333
Graduated
High School
2,421
Associates
Degree
1,787
Bachelor's
Degree
1,732
Graduate
Degree
847
Average Commute Time
16 min.
Resident Commuters
5,662
Non-Resident Commuters
1,123
Drive Alone
5,570
Carpooled
556
Public
0
Work At Home
453
Whether you are looking to hire a CEO, production worker or someone to lock the doors at the end of the day, York County has the skilled and motivated workforce you are looking for. A strong work ethic, skills, experience and education are just a few characteristics that are used to describe the labor pool in which York County offers. While you will find it easy to find the right person for the job, the access to additional education and training greatly enhances only improves an already excellent workforce.
The York Region 7 county labor market has 210,698 workers, and Nebraska has a 70.8% labor participartion rate. To learn more about the specifics of York County’s labor market, we invite you to look at our social and economic characteristics. For more detailed information regarding the area’s labor market, please review the below documents.
It’s no secret that businesses are looking for ways to boost their bottom line. By doing business in York County, Nebraska, businesses can do just that. To learn more about the specifics business operating costs in York County, we invite you to look at tax, incentive, utility and permitting information below. For more detailed information regarding the area’s operating costs, contact our team for a report tailored to meet your needs.
| OVER | BUT NOT OVER | TAX RATE IS | ON EXCESS OVER |
|---|---|---|---|
| $0.00 | $100,000.00 | 5.58% | $0.00 |
| $100,000.00 | $5,580 + 7.81% | $100,000.00 |
Personal Tax Rates in Nebraska vary depending on a number of factors. To get a more precise picture of what your personal income tax in Nebraska would be, please visit the Nebraska Department of Revenue for more information.
The State of Nebraska has a 5.5% sales tax rate. Each local municipality can add an additional sales tax of up to 1.5% or 2% with an additional special vote. The City of York has passed the additional tax to do 2.0% with 0.5% of that allocated to infrastructure and recreational facilities for a total sales tax of 7.5%. All other municipalities in York County have a rate of 1.5% for a total sales tax rate of 7%.
All personal and intangible property purchased by a company outside of the State of Nebraska is subject to the Nebraska Sales Tax Rate if the property is not exempt from the tax code.
Nebraska does not have an inventory tax.
York County and municipalities throughout the county require those engaging in new construction to apply for building permits. Fees associated with those permits vary upon the location but can be as little as $5. Below are sample building permit fees for new construction or remodel activities in York County.
Building permit fees are based on the value of the project as determined during the application procedure. This figure includes all building costs and labor. Building permit fees in York are as follows:
| Project Cost | Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| First $2000 Value | $20.00 |
| Each Additional $1000 or part there of | $2.00 |
Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing permit fees are $10.00 for issuance of permit plus inspection fees (minimum $10.00). Fees for these permits are billed upon final inspection of project. Other potential fees in the City of York are as follows:
| Permit Type | Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| Landscape Permit | $20.00 |
| Street Opening/Curb Cut Permit | $20.00 |
| Sign Permit | $20 per sign |
| Demolition Permit | $20.00 |
| Floodplain Development Permit | No charge |
For more information regarding Building & Zoning regulations in the City of York, contact the staff at York County Development Corporation or visit the City of York’s website.
Building Permit fees for development in County jurisdiction are as follows:
| Project | Permit Fee |
|---|---|
| Other Than Agriculture Purposes | $25.00 |
| Agriculture Purposes | No Fee |
For more information on Building & Zoning regulations in York County, contact the Staff at York County Development Corporation or visit York County’s website.
YORK COUNTY TRANSPORATION & LOGISTICS MAP
York County, Nebraska can reach 90% of the United States in 2 days or less due to its extensive highway infrastructure in Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 81 (also known as the Pan-American Highway) and U.S. Highway 34.
Interstate 80 (I-80) One of America’s busiest roadways, I-80 connects the East Coast to the West from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey, near New York City. Interstate 80, which is the second longest Interstate Highway, has 4 exits in York County, Nebraska: Exit #342 – Henderson; Exit #348 – Bradshaw; Exit #353 – U.S. Highway 81, York; Exit #360 – Waco.
U.S. Highway 81 – Running North to South, U.S. Highway 81 provides quick and easy access into Canada, as well as to the Ports in Texas. The Highway intersects with Interstate 80 in York County, allowing for travel in any direction.
U.S. Highway 34 – Located just 3 miles North of Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 34 runs East to West, allowing for an alternate route to Interstate 80. The route runs approximately 1,122 miles from the western suburbs of Chicago to north-central Colorado.
With these 3 roadways, making connections to other parts of the country from York County, Nebraska is a snap. Traveling East on Interstate 80 provides access to Interstate 29, which is 105 miles (90 minutes) from York County. U.S. Highway 81 provides travelers with access to Interstate 70, 140 to the South, and Interstate 90, 235 miles to the North.
York County, Nebraska is served by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). BNSF has a main line that extends the length of the county. In addition to the main line, there is also a spur owned by BNSF that runs from York, 8 miles North to Benedict.
Travelers can reach York County from one of 3 commercial airports: Lincoln Municipal Airport (45 miles East), Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island (45 miles West) or Eppley Airfield in Omaha (90 miles East).
York County also has a local airport for small private jets and aircrafts. York Municipal Airport (JYR) is a publically owned facility that is managed by the City of York. Aviation flight training, aircraft service, aircraft rental and short-term hanger rental is available. JYR has a concrete runway that is 5,900 feet long by 100 feet wide.
The estimated annualized average base cost per kilowatt-hour for a small commercial customer would be in the 8-9 cent range. The average base cost for a medium sized commercial or industrial customer would be 6-7 cents per kilowatt-hour. The cost for a large industrial customer would range from 4.5 cents to 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour. For a copy of rate schedules and more detailed rate information, contact the electric service providers below.
Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is the electric supplier to York and is Nebraska’s largest electric utility with a chartered territory including all or parts of 86 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. NPPD is a vertically integrated utility operating generating facilities, transmission and distribution facilities in an integrated network across Nebraska. NPPD’s generation comes from a diversified mix including coal, nuclear, wind, hydro and natural gas. Approximately 46% of NPPD’s energy generated in 2015 was carbon free. For the past three years, NPPD’s reliability as measured by the Average Service Availability Index has exceeded 99.9% system wide. NPPD serves over 18,000 commercial and industrial customers with an industrial rate 11 percent below the national average based on data reported to the Energy Information Administration.
Nebraska Public Power District’s (NPPD’s) Board of Directors approved a new wholesale economic development rate of 2.9 cents per kilowatt hour, effective January 1, 2016. The final rate is determined by the local retail power provider and would include additional applicable expenses needed to deliver and service the customer. Preliminary estimates indicate the range could fall in the 3.7 to 5.0 cents per kilowatt hour range. Prospective or expanding industrial customers are eligible to receive the economic development rate for up to five years, IF they receive retail service from NPPD or one of NPPD’s wholesale customers AND meet the following criteria:
NPPD has a proven way of helping large commercial and industrial customers reach their long term renewable, sustainable goals in a cost effective manner. Through very attractive low cost Power Purchase Agreements NPPD has arranged with wind developers (Nebraska has one of the best wind resources in the world), coupled with a unique financial hedge component, prospective companies are seeing an NPPD-served industrial site as a competitive advantage. NPPD has recently completed such an arrangement with Becton Dickinson Corporation and is available at your convenience to discuss how we can help your client reach its renewable energy goals.
NPPD has also implemented a smaller scale green energy program whereby customers may purchase blocks of renewable energy, at cost, in whatever quantities they choose.
NPPD is committed to helping customers maximize the value of their energy expenses by offering technical support on energy efficiency and other energy related issues as well as energy efficiency incentive programs. In addition to in-house technical support resources, NPPD is a member of the Electric Power Research Institute and co-founded the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Energy Sciences Research.
The City of York is fed from a networked 115kV transmission system, a 34.5kV sub-transmission system and a 12.5kV distribution system. NPPD can provide service to York sites at any industry standard voltage and offers rate options for industrial customers based on their load profile and desire to own portions of their own utility infrastructure (e.g. primary voltage transformers).
Perennial Public Power District (Perennial) provides reliable electric service to seven communities and all of the rural areas in York County. As a not-for-profit utility that has been in business over 75 years, Perennial is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors elected from the customers it serves. Focusing on customer service and low costs, Perennial’s electric rates are well below the national average.
Perennial actively participates in the development of communities in the area. Through its Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, Perennial enhances the economic climate of the area by helping finance projects that lead to the creation of jobs and sustained economic growth. Low interest loans are available for a term of up to 10 years for projects such as medical or other emergency facilities; training and educational facilities; community infrastructure; small business start-up projects; small business expansion projects; business incubators; and commercial or industrial development.
In addition to local and state incentives available to new or expanding businesses, Perennial offers a discounted economic development electric rate as an additional incentive to current and prospective customers. The rate is available to customers that add a minimum of 1,000 kW of load, and who have a monthly load factor of at least 60%. The discounted rate will be provided for a period of up to 5 years
York County, Nebraska is served by Black Hills Energy for natural gas services. Black Hills Energy is the retail supplier with Kinder Morgan being the transmission provider. For information on rate schedules, services and more detailed information, contact a staff member at YCDC or Black Hills Energy directly.
Water service in York County is dependent on location with supply not being an issue. The City of York Water Division provides water service within the corporate limits. The system is supplied by 16 wells averaging 300 feet in depth. The system has a maximum capacity of 9,964,800 gallons per day with an average daily demand of 1,748,000 gallons.
Wastewater service in York County is dependent on location with service and supply not being an issue. The Wastewater Division is responsible for the Treatment Plant and Sewer System maintenance. The mechanical treatment plant has a capacity of 5,200,000 gallons per day with an average daily flow of 1,318,000 gallons.
York County is served by Hamilton Telecommunications, Unite Private Networks, Windstream, Mainstay Communications,Time Warner Cable and Exede for telecommunication services.
