HomeNebraskaScotts Bluff County
Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska: commercial real estate data.
Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska had an estimated 35,734 residents on July 1, 2024, down 1.0 percent since the 2020 census base of 36,091, across 739 square miles. County output reached $2.38 bn in 2024, 1,017 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 27 7(a) approvals worth $13.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Scotts Bluff County
How many people live in Scotts Bluff County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202435,843
- Households15,078
- Average household size2.38
- Median household income$63,614
- Median age40.3
- Median gross rent$909 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$168,500
- Home value to household income2.6 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher27.0 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree9.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over24,342
- Population under 188,658
- Share under 1824.2 percent
- Population 65 and over7,493
- Share 65 and over20.9 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6419,692
- Civilian labor force18,014
- Unemployment rate2.7 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over66.3 percent
- Rank by population among Nebraska counties7th of 93
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included1319th of 3,222
Scotts Bluff County is the 7th largest of 93 Nebraska counties by population. A median home costs 2.6 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 24.2 percent against 20.9 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Scotts Bluff County
Is Scotts Bluff County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202435,734
- Census 2020 base population36,091
- Population change since the 2020 census base-0.99 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 202413
- Births, 2024436
- Deaths, 2024427
- Natural change, 20249
- Net domestic migration, 2024-57
- Net international migration, 202461
- Total net migration, 20244
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-486
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents2187th of 3,144
The county has lost 0.99 percent of its population since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Scotts Bluff County
Where are people moving to Scotts Bluff County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving773
- People arriving, from those returns1,424
- Tax returns filed by households leaving752
- Net household movement21
- Adjusted gross income arriving$37.7 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-2.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$48,772
- Average income of a leaving household$53,194
- Largest single originGoshen County (42 households)
- Largest single destinationLancaster County (39 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goshen County | 42 | 69 | $1.8 m |
| Morrill County | 38 | 83 | $1.3 m |
| Box Butte County | 29 | 51 | $1.9 m |
| Laramie County | 25 | 41 | $1.1 m |
| Weld County | 23 | 42 | $872,000 |
| Larimer County | 22 | 39 | $1.5 m |
| Lancaster County | 21 | 41 | $555,000 |
Households arriving report $4,422 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Goshen County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Scotts Bluff County
What is the Scotts Bluff County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$2.38 bn
- County GDP, 2023$2.27 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.0 percent
- GDP change over five years29.6 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Nebraska areas BEA publishes12th of 93
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes1134th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$66,499
Output grew 5.0 percent in the latest year and 29.6 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Scotts Bluff County
Employment by industry in Scotts Bluff County
- Covered employment, annual average15,975
- Establishments reporting1,217
- Average annual pay$51,713
- Average weekly wage$994
- Health care and social assistance, employment2,559
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$63,922
- Retail trade, employment2,172
- Retail trade, average annual pay$34,024
- Accommodation and food services, employment1,535
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$20,345
- Construction, employment1,208
- Construction, average annual pay$71,778
- Manufacturing, employment1,037
- Wholesale trade, employment878
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 2,559 | 181 | $63,922 |
| Retail trade | 2,172 | 147 | $34,024 |
| Accommodation and food services | 1,535 | 98 | $20,345 |
| Construction | 1,208 | 114 | $71,778 |
| Manufacturing | 1,037 | 35 | $57,651 |
| Wholesale trade | 878 | 74 | $73,255 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 551 | 58 | $50,488 |
| Finance and insurance | 481 | 68 | $69,232 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 2,559 jobs, 16.0 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Scotts Bluff County
How many businesses are in Scotts Bluff County?
- Establishments, all industries1,017
- Employment at those establishments12,822
- Annual payroll$568.9 m
- Establishments per 1,000 residents28.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Scotts Bluff County
Building permits in Scotts Bluff County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 202444
- Declared construction value permitted$21.3 m
- Single family units authorized44
- Multifamily units authorized0
- Multifamily share of units0.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$483,672
- Units authorized per 1,000 households2.9
Single-family homes are 100.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Scotts Bluff County
SBA loans in Scotts Bluff County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded27
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$13.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$491,219
- Median 7(a) approval$195,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$636,000
- Largest single approval$4,845,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)266
- Jobs per approval9.9
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active9
- Distinct industries receiving approvals21
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer18.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms5
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter19
- Franchise loans4
- Franchise share of approvals14.8 percent
- Most active lenderPlatte Valley Bank (13)
- 504 approvals recorded15
- 504 gross approval dollars$9.1 m
- Average 504 approval$607,067
- Median 504 approval$273,000
- Distinct CDCs active2
- 504 jobs per approval11.3
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved18.6
- Most active CDCNebraska Economic Development Corporation (13)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$22.4 m
The average approval of $491,219 sits well above the median of $195,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 18.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Scotts Bluff County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Scotts Bluff County
Do SBA loans in Scotts Bluff County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded8
- Paid in full8
- Charged off0
- Status: Paid in full8
- Status: Cancelled2
- Status: Exempt from disclosure16
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed1
Only 8 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Scotts Bluff County
SBA lending by place in Scotts Bluff County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending4
- Scottsbluff, approvals18
- Gering, approvals7
- Mitchell, approvals1
- Minatare, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Scottsbluff | 18 | $4,799,900 |
| Gering | 7 | $7,823,000 |
| Mitchell | 1 | $560,000 |
| Minatare | 1 | $80,000 |
Scottsbluff accounts for 18 approvals against 7 in Gering. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Scotts Bluff County
How large is Scotts Bluff County?
- Land area739 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Nebraska counties32nd of 93
- Width, east to west35.5 mi
- Height, north to south21.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land49
- Establishments per square mile1.38
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Scotts Bluff County
Flood risk in Scotts Bluff County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Scotts Bluff County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 310473
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book6
- Of those, participating in the NFIP6
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 8
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Scotts Bluff County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Scotts Bluff County (community 310473), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Scotts Bluff County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 8, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Scotts Bluff County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Scotts Bluff County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202435,843
- Households15,078
- Average household size2.38
- Median household income$63,614
- Median age40.3
Common questions
Scotts Bluff County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska?
The Census Bureau estimates 35,734 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 35,843, in 15,078 households, ranking 7th of 93 Nebraska counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Scotts Bluff County's population growing?
The population has fallen 0.99 percent since the 2020 census base of 36,091, to 35,734 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 436 births against 427 deaths, with net migration of 4. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Scotts Bluff County?
$63,614. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $168,500, which is 2.6 times income, and median gross rent is $909 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Scotts Bluff County?
1,017 establishments, employing 12,822 people with an annual payroll of $568.9 m. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Scotts Bluff County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 2,559 jobs, 16.0 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 15,975 jobs at an average annual pay of $51,713, or $994 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Scotts Bluff County?
27 7(a) approvals totaling $13.3 m since FY2020, across 9 lenders, with a median approval of $195,000, plus 15 504 approvals worth $9.1 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Scotts Bluff County?
44 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $21.3 m. Multifamily was 0.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Scotts Bluff County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Scotts Bluff County come from?
The largest single origin is Goshen County, with 42 households. Arriving households report an average income of $48,772 against $53,194 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Scotts Bluff County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Scotts Bluff County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Scotts Bluff County
Cities and places in Scotts Bluff.
10 Census places lie wholly or partly in Scotts Bluff County. All 10 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsbluff | city | 14,376 | 18 | Wholly in this county |
| Gering | city | 8,550 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Mitchell | city | 1,962 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Morrill | village | 880 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Terrytown | city | 793 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Minatare | city | 712 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Lyman | village | 291 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Melbeta | village | 146 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Henry | village | 94 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| McGrew | village | 67 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
Nearby