2020 Barometer
See how Omaha ranks against nine other citiesCompanies, tiny to titan, flourish here
This is where you’ll find the numbers behind Greater Omaha’s success. All the data you need is here in monthly and annual reports that provide insights on our local economy and business climate. 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 2020 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 8% below the national average.
- And more data covering economic growth, human capital, innovation, entrepreneurship, private capital.
GREATER OMAHA BUILDING PERMITS
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 $50 billion in goods and services each year.
- Outpaced the nation in economic growth for the past 6 years in:
- Finance & Insurance: Increased 26.2% vs 7.1%
- Transportation & Warehousing: 29.6% vs 19.0%
- Health Care & Social Assistance: Increase 17.1% vs 16.2%
- Our Information industry is booming with a 33% increase over the last five years9
We work hard to keep the business climate friendly and taxes moderate.
Our cost of doing business is 12 percent below the national average. 10
2020 Greater Omaha Major Employers
| 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 |
| Nebraska Medicine | 5,000 and over | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| Methodist Health System | 5,000 and over | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| Fiserv | 2,500 to 4,999 | Information |
| Mutual of Omaha | 2,500 to 4,999 | Finance and Insurance |
| Union Pacific Railroad | 2,500 to 4,999 | Transportation and Warehousing |
| First National Bank | 2,500 to 4,999 | Finance and Insurance |
| TD Ameritrade | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| PayPal | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| Creighton University | 1,000 to 2,499 | Educational Services |
| Boys Town | 1,000 to 2,499 | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| 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 |
| Harrah's Council Bluffs Casino | 1,000 to 2,499 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation |
| Children's Hospital | 1,000 to 2,499 | Health Care and Social Assistance |
| WholeStone Farms | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
| Kiewit Corp. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Construction |
| Baxter Auto Group | 1,000 to 2,499 | Retail Trade |
| Ameristar Casino Hotel | 1,000 to 2,499 | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation |
| CSG International | 1,000 to 2,499 | Information |
| ConAgra | 1,000 to 2,499 | Manufacturing |
| Omaha Steaks | 1,000 to 2,499 | Retail Trade |
| Nebraska Furniture Mart | 1,000 to 2,499 | Retail Trade |
| Physicians Mutual Insurance Co. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| Werner Enterprises Inc. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Transportation and Warehousing |
| Intrado | 1,000 to 2,499 | Administrative and Support |
| Bank of the West | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| Lozier Corp. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Wholesale Trade |
| Lincoln Financial Group | 1,000 to 2,499 | Finance and Insurance |
| Cox Communications | 1,000 to 2,499 | Information |
| HDR, Inc. | 1,000 to 2,499 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services |
| Nebraska Beef | 1,000 to 2,499 | Retail Trade |
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. 4) | TD Ameritrade (No. 509) |
| Union Pacific (No. 134) | Green Plains (No. 644) |
| Mutual of Omaha (No. 336) | Valmont Industries (No. 806) |
| Peter Kiewit Sons’ (No. 340) | Werner Enterprises (No. 867) |
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. 18
Barge traffic can navigate the Missouri River 10 months of the year.
Cost of Living
With a cost of living 8.1% below the national average, we’re proud to call the Omaha area home. 12
| Cost of Living Comparisons | Overall Cost of Living | Grocery Items | Housing | Utilities | Transportation | Health Care | Misc. Goods & Services | |
| Greater Omaha | 91.9 | 96.5 | 82.6 | 99.5 | 98.1 | 96.3 | 93.2 | |
| Peers | Louisville | 93.8 | 91.5 | 79.0 | 94.7 | 97.9 | 105.2 | 103.6 |
| Salt Lake City | 103.3 | 107.7 | 105.6 | 87.8 | 103.5 | 105.6 | 103.5 | |
| Colorado Springs | 100.8 | 95.6 | 100.2 | 97.3 | 97.6 | 108.5 | 104.0 | |
| Competitors | Oklahoma City | 86.8 | 90.6 | 83.8 | 73.8 | 95.8 | 89.4 | 88.6 |
| Des Moines | 89.6 | 95.0 | 79.3 | 90.2 | 98.9 | 95.3 | 92.2 | |
| Kansas City | 95.5 | 102.2 | 81.7 | 100.7 | 92.4 | 105.9 | 101.6 | |
| Aspirational | Raleigh | 95.1 | 92.5 | 88.0 | 98.3 | 90.7 | 103.7 | 100.8 |
| Nashville | 91.0 | 95.1 | 88.8 | 90.5 | 89.7 | 88.1 | 91.8 | |
| Austin | 99.3 | 91.0 | 104.3 | 95.3 | 90.5 | 105.7 | 101.3 |
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 11
Compared to the national average, Nebraska-Iowa rates:
- Commercial: 21.5% below
- Industrial: 13.8% above
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.
Demographics
Our region and people excel at exceeding expectations.
Population
Our population of 986,007 is characterized by steady growth. We’ve expanded 9 percent between 2010 and 2019, growing 3 percent more than the nation. 1
Race/Ethnicity
With a diverse cultural makeup, ethnic minorities comprise 13.6% of our population including a Hispanic populace of 10.3%. 2
Age
Our reputation as a vibrant, growing community attracts young and talented workers ready to ignite their career.
- More than 35 percent of our population is 24 years of age or younger.
- Median Age: 35.6 3
Income
Our low cost of living and competitive wages create a spending power of $56,718 – 15.8% above nation’s ($48,980). 4
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.
Education
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.
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.
Greater Omaha Higher Education Enrollment 10
| Institution | Enrollment | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Bellevue University | 9,621 | Bellevue |
| Capitol School of Hairstyling and Esthetics | 107 | Omaha |
| CHI Health School of Radiologic Technology | 15 | Omaha |
| Clarkson College | 1,162 | Omaha |
| College of Saint Mary | 1,168 | Omaha |
| The Creative Center | 39 | Omaha |
| Creighton University | 8,910 | Omaha |
| Iowa Western Community College | 6,023 | Council Bluffs |
| La’James International College | 8 | Fremont |
| Metropolitan Community College Omaha/Fremont | 14,913 | Omaha |
| Midland University | 1,873 | Fremont |
| National American University | 68 | Bellevue |
| Nebraska Christian College | 134 | Papillion |
| NE Methodist College of Nursing & Allied Health | 1,102 | Omaha |
| Universal College of Healing Arts | 35 | Omaha |
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | 15,431 | Omaha |
| University of Nebraska Medical Center | 3,972 | Omaha |
| Xenon International Academy | 191 | Omaha |
| Total | 64,772 | |
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division, “Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2019”
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table DP05: Demographic and Housing Estimates”
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2014-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table S0101: Age and Sex”.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Real per capita personal income (Chained (2012) 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, 2013-2018 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, “Table B15001: Sex by Age by Educational Attainment for the Population 18 Years and Over”
- Eric Thompson, UNL, 2020 Barometer
- Nebraska Coordination Commission for Postsecondary Education and Iowa College Aid, Fall 2018
- S. Energy Administration, 2018 Retail Price of Electricity
- Council for Community and Economic Research, 2019 Annual Average
- Omaha Airport Authority