Regional Data

Companies, tiny to titan, flourish here — from the neighborhood mom and pop to the Fortune 500s known around the world. Our cost of living is low, our quality of life is high — and our steady economic growth is the envy of the nation.

Looking to relocate? You’ve found your place.

THE BAROMETER

An economic scorecard of the Omaha region.

2019 Report

MONTHLY ECONOMIC INDICATORS

GREATER OMAHA BUILDING PERMITS

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Demographics

Our region and people excel at exceeding expectations.

Population

Our population of 960,709 is characterized by steady growth. We’ve expanded 7 percent between 2010 and 2016, growing 2 percent more than the nation. ¹

Race/Ethnicity

With a diverse cultural makeup, ethnic minorities comprise 15.2% of our population including a Hispanic populace of 9.7%. ²

Age

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

More than 40 percent of our population is 24 years of age or younger.
Median Age: 35.2 ³

Income

Our low cost of living and competitive wages create a spending power of $50,481 – 14.9% above nation’s ($43,925). ⁴

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 31,000 jobs ⁵ – twice as much as the national average ⁶ 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.

Productivity

Our workforce demonstrates the Midwest work ethic, producing $4,000 more goods and services than the average worker does. ⁷

Business Environment

Companies, tiny to titan, flourish here.

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 $47 billion in goods and services each year

Outpaced the nation in economic growth for the past 3 years in:
- Professional & Business Services: Increased 14.6% vs 9.2%
- Finance & Insurance: Increased 14.7% vs 3.8%
- Transportation & Warehousing: 0.4% vs -1.1%
Our Information industry is booming with a $173M increase over the last two years ⁹

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

Our cost of doing business is 6.1 percent below the national average. ¹⁰

Overall Index	Services			Manufacturing
	Digital	R&D	Corporate
93.9	90.4	86.4	84.2	96.7

Taxes

Nearly 30 percent below the national average in tax rates ¹¹

Effective Tax Rates				Ranks (out of 75 U.S. cities)
Corp. Income Tax	Other Corp. Taxes	Statutory Labor Costs	Total Effective Tax Rate	CIT	OCT	SLC	TETR	Total Tax Rate
21.9%	10.3%	19.5%	51.8%	5	21	9	5	71.9

2019 Greater Omaha Major Employers

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Company Name	No. of Employees	Industry
Offutt Airforce Base	5,000 and over	Public Administration
CHI	5,000 and over	Health Care and Social Assistance
Methodist Health System	5,000 and over	Health Care and Social Assistance
First Data	2,500 to 4,999	Information
Children’s Hospital	2,500 to 4,999	Health Care and Social Assistance
Nebraska Medicine	2,500 to 4,999	Health Care and Social Assistance
University of Nebraska Medical Center	2,500 to 4,999	Health Care and Social Assistance
First National Bank	2,500 to 4,999	Finance and Insurance
Union Pacific Railroad	2,500 to 4,999	Transportation and Warehousing
Mutual Of Omaha	2,500 to 4,999	Finance and Insurance
Pay Pal	2,500 to 4,999	Finance and Insurance
Omaha Public Power District	1,000 to 2,499	Utilities
Creighton University	1,000 to 2,499	Educational Services
VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care	1,000 to 2,499	Health Care and Social Assistance
Werner Enterprises Inc.	1,000 to 2,499	Transportation and Warehousing
University of Nebraska-Omaha	1,000 to 2,499	Educational Services
Blue Cross & Blue Shield Of Nebraska	1,000 to 2,499	Finance and Insurance
Horseshoe Casino Council Bluffs	1,000 to 2,499	Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Valmont Industries	1,000 to 2,499	Manufacturing
Boys Town	1,000 to 2,499	Health Care and Social Assistance
Hormel Foods	1,000 to 2,499	Manufacturing
Lozier Corp.	1,000 to 2,499	Wholesale Trade
Ameristar Casino Hotel	1,000 to 2,499	Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
CSG International	1,000 to 2,499	Information
Omaha Steaks	1,000 to 2,499	Retail Trade
Harrah’s Council Bluffs Casino	1,000 to 2,499	Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation
Nebraska Furniture Mart	1,000 to 2,499	Retail Trade
Physicians Mutual Insurance Co.	1,000 to 2,499	Finance and Insurance
TD Ameritrade Inc.	1,000 to 2,499	Finance and Insurance
ConAgra	1,000 to 2,499	Manufacturing
Cox Communications	1,000 to 2,499	Information
Immanuel Communities	1,000 to 2,499	Health Care and Social Assistance
Lincoln Financial Group	1,000 to 2,499	Finance and Insurance
West Corp.	1,000 to 2,499	Administrative and Support
Airlite Plastics Co	1,000 to 2,499	Manufacturing
HDR, Inc.	1,000 to 2,499	Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
Nebraska Beef	1,000 to 2,499	Manufacturing
Omaha World-Herald	1,000 to 2,499	Information
Redwood Fire & Casualty Insurance	1,000 to 2,499	Finance and Insurance

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.

Fortune 500s	Fortune 1000s
Berkshire Hathaway (No. 2)	Valmont Industries (No. 804)
Union Pacific (No. 143)	Green Plains Inc. (No. 662)
Peter Kiewit Sons’ Inc. (No. 324)	TD Ameritrade (No. 674)
Mutual of Omaha (No. 342)	West Corporation (No. 864)
	Werner Enterprises (No. 934)

Education

A world of opportunity awaits.

We are home to award-winning schools and nationally-recognized universities. Innovation and experience work in collaboration, improving education for students of all ages. To them we say: Study hard, engage your brain, dream big and go for it – no coasting allowed.

K-12 Education

Study hard. Engage your brain. Dream big.

Parents want quality choices for education – and we pass the test.

We consistently rank among the leading states in the nation for percentage of high school graduates, which means employers here have the benefit of drawing from a very well-educated workforce.

We know today’s students are tomorrow’s innovators. That’s why our schools – both established and new – focus on equipping our youth with the skills they need to join an evolving workplace.

What’s your child’s passion – and if we nurture it, where will it lead? We’re as eager as you are to find out.

School Districts

Higher Education

From business and education to science, medicine, technology and the liberal arts, we are home to some of the nation’s leading colleges and universities. We are also home to two internationally recognized medical schools: the University of Nebraska Medical Center and CHI Health Creighton University Medical Center. And they are all within easy access. ¹²

Greater Omaha Higher Education Enrollment ¹³

Institution	Enrollment ¹⁴	Location
Bellevue University	9,942	Bellevue
Clarkson College	1,204	Omaha
College of Saint Mary	1,037	Omaha
The Creative Center	109	Omaha
Creighton University	7,736	Omaha
Iowa Western Community College	5,439	Council Bluffs
ITT Technical Institute	597	Omaha
Kaplan University – Council Bluffs Campus	250	Council Bluffs
Kaplan University – Omaha/Bluffs Campus	615	Omaha
Metropolitan Community College Omaha/Fremont	17,376	Omaha
Midland University	1,126	Fremont
Nebraska Christian College	139	Papillion
NE Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health	878	Omaha
University of Nebraska at Omaha	14,786	Omaha
University of Nebraska Medical Center	3,655	Omaha
University of Phoenix – Omaha Campus	71	Omaha
Vatterott College	405	Omaha
Total	67,732

Utilities

Power considerations are a given as companies – from data centers to manufacturers – decide where to make their home. That scores in our favor.

Without compromising quality, service or availability, businesses and residents benefit significantly from utility

Electricity ¹⁵

Compared to the national average, Nebraska-Iowa rates:

Commercial: 20.2% below
Industrial: 14.9% above

Cost of Living

With a cost of living 4.2% below the national average, we’re proud to call the Omaha area home. ¹⁷

Cost of Living Comparisons		Overall Cost of Living	Grocery Items	Housing	Utilities	Transportation	Health Care	Misc. Goods & Services
	Greater Omaha	95.8	97	88.1	100.1	100.7	98.4	98.6
Peers	Louisville	95.6	87.1	81.2	93.9	103.8	100.6	108.1
	Salt Lake City	105	109.7	104.9	89.4	112.6	101.3	106.3
	Colorado Springs	99.1	97.2	100.6	90.6	105.2	100.2	99.2
Competitors	Oklahoma City	84.8	91	71.2	95	86	93.9	89.1
	Des Moines	90.1	98.8	80.7	89.7	98.5	95.8	91.6
	Kansas City	94.3	100.4	83.6	99.1	96.1	99	98
Aspirational	Raleigh	91.8	92.6	84.5	93.9	87.6	103.5	96.3
	Nashville	98.2	94.6	94.2	97.6	94.5	87.7	105.3
	Austin	99.7	89.7	103.3	96.6	96.6	106.1	101.6

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

28 direct flights including San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York City and Washington, D.C. ¹⁸

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

Sources

U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, “Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2016”
U.S. Census Bureau, 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates”
U.S. Census Bureau, 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table S0101: Age and Sex”.
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Real per capita personal income (chained (2009) dollars)”
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Current Population Survey
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real GDP Per Capita (by metropolitan area)
U.S. Census Bureau, 2011-2015 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table B15001: Sex by Age by Educational Attainment for the Population 18 Years and Over”
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Real GDP by metropolitan area
KPMG, Competitive Alternatives 2016
KPMG, Focus on Tax 2016
National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS, 2016 Completions, “Number of students receiving awards/degrees by award level, race/ethnicity, and gender and age: July 1, 2015 to June 30, 2016 (C2016 C)”
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Fall 2012
Enrollment includes students seeking a certificate/degree as reported by NCES
U.S. Energy Administration, 2016 Average retail price of electricity
U.S. Energy Administration, 2015 Natural Gas Prices
Council for Community and Economic Research, Q3 2018 Annual Average
Omaha Airport Authority