RANK #602 / 1001 NAT · POP 590,736
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
Douglas County, Nebraska, is perhaps best known as home to Omaha, the state's largest city and a significant economic and cultural hub. Situated along the Missouri River on the eastern edge of Nebraska, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and accessible outdoor spaces. Commutes within Omaha average around 20 minutes, with public transportation options including bus services and a modern streetcar in downtown Omaha. The community provides numerous parks, such as Fontenelle Forest and Standing Bear Lake, offering opportunities for hiking, birdwatching, and water sports.
Life in Douglas County attracts families and young professionals, with many residents owning their homes. The public school systems, including Elkhorn, Millard, and Westside Public Schools, are recognized for their quality. The economy is diverse, with strong sectors in finance, insurance, healthcare, and technology. Major investments are flowing into commercial and residential developments, as well as data centers and energy projects, contributing to a stable economic picture.
Douglas County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.2% runs below the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.6x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Google Data Center Campus (Northwest Omaha)
Google (Fireball Group LLC)
|
$1,200M | Operating |
|
Douglas Battery/Storage (250 MW)
Undisclosed
|
$250M | Planned |
|
Kansas Sky Energy Center (Solar Farm)
Evergy with designs by Savion LLC
|
$159M | Planned |
|
Standing Bear Lake Station (Natural Gas Plant)
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD)
|
$150M | Under Construction |
|
North Omaha Airport Business Park & Multipurpose Community Center
City of Omaha, Nebraska Department of Economic Development
|
$124M | Planned |
|
Douglas Battery/Storage (100 MW)
Undisclosed
|
$100M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 39/100, Douglas County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $80,391 combined with job growth of +0.3% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Douglas County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $266,100 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,201/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Douglas County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). Home values shifted +1.2% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.14% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Douglas County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.