2021 Barometer

See how Omaha ranks against nine other cities

This is where you’ll find the numbers behind Greater Omaha’s success. All the data you need is here. The numbers speak for themselves – our steady economic growth makes Omaha one of the most favorable cities in the nation for your business.

 

What’s inside The 2021 Barometer?

The 2020 Barometer compares Greater Omaha with nine other metros to provide economic performance insights, such as:

  • Cost of doing business: Greater Omaha consistently posts lower business costs.
  • Infrastructure: A large, local transportation and logistics industry keeps supply chains connected.
  • Cost of living: People get more for much less; Greater Omaha’s cost of living is 7% below the national average.
  • And more data covering economic growth, human capital, innovation, entrepreneurship, private capital.

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MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS
GREATER OMAHA BUILDING PERMITS

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Business Environment

From our strong business climate to our first-class resources, we’re proud to cultivate an environment ideally suited for companies wishing to start, grow or expand operations.

A Diverse Mix of Industries

Our steady economic growth is the envy of the nation.

Greater Omaha produces more than $51 billion in goods and services each year.

  • Outpaced the nation in economic growth for the past 5 years in:
    • Finance & Insurance: Increased 21.7% vs 2.3%
    • Healthcare & Social Assistance: Increase 15.1% vs 118.8%
  • Our Information industry is booming with a 18.3% increase over the last five years1

We work hard to keep the business climate friendly and taxes moderate.

Our cost of doing business is 12 percent below the national average.2

2021 Greater Omaha Major Employers

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Fortune Thrives Here

We’re proud of the fact that some of the world’s most recognizable companies are based here. We’re even more proud of the impact they’re having around the nation – and the globe.

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Transportation

A Key Transportation Hub

We’re served by a ring of interstate highways, railroads, motor freight, air and river transportation.

Reach your destination in 2-3 days with easy access to I-80 and I-29.

  • Major Rail Centers
    • Burlington Northern Santa Fe
    • Canadian National Railway Company
    • Union Pacific Railroad

33 direct flights including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. 3

Barge traffic can navigate the Missouri River 10 months of the year.

Workforce & Talent

Savvy, Sophisticated Talent.

If you’re ready to ignite your career – if you’re determined to make a mark instead of just making due – you’ll find a place. Here, we embrace entrepreneurs, cultivate innovation and let imagination run free.

Job Growth

We’ve added almost 25,000 jobs4 over the past 10 years. Our population not only possesses the education and qualities employers are looking for, but also encompasses the Midwest work ethic simply part of the fabric of our region.

Demographics

Our region and people excel at exceeding expectations.

Population

Our population of 990,402 is characterized by steady growth. We’ve expanded 9.5% between 2010 and 2020, growing 3% more than the nation.5

Race/Ethnicity

With a diverse cultural makeup, ethnic minorities comprise 13.8% of our population including a Hispanic populace of 10.3%.6

Age

Our reputation as a vibrant, growing community attracts young and talented workers ready to ignite their career.

  • 34% of our population is 24 years of age or younger.

  • Median Age: 35.87

Income

Our low cost of living and competitive wages create a spending power of $58,947 – 4.3% above nation’s ($56,940).8

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Sources

  1. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real GDP by Metro Area by Industry, 2015-2019
  2. Eric Thompson, University of Nebraska Lincoln, 2021 Barometer
  3. Omaha Airport Authority, 2020 Annual Statistics
  4. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
  5. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, “Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2020”
  6. U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates”
  7. U.S. Census Bureau, 2015-2019 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates”
  8. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Personal Income Summary: Personal Income, Population, Per Capita Personal Income”, 2019