Phelps County

For demographics on the city of Holdrege, please click here.

Population

Total Population

8,888

Population
Growth Rate

-0.08%

Median Age

43

Diversity Index

27.100

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Quality of Life

Our Communities

Holdrege, Nebraska

Holdrege, Nebraska: If you’re looking for a community that combines old-fashioned small town values and amenities with great modern conveniences, we invite you to check out Holdrege. It’s just the place to find the best of both worlds. Learn More

Bertrand, Nebraska

Bertrand, Nebraska: If you’re looking for a town where you feel like you quickly know about half the inhabitants, you might like Bertrand. It’s just the place for good neighbors. Learn More

Loomis, Nebraska

Loomis, Nebraska: In 2006, BusinessWeek Magazine picked Loomis as one of the top 25 places in the country to raise a child. This undiscovered gem might be just the place for your family.Learn More

Funk, Nebraska

Funk, Nebraska: If you’re looking for a town that combines indoors and outdoors, today and tomorrow, volunteer work and hobbies, consider Funk. It might be just the place for you. Learn More

Atlanta, Nebraska

Atlanta, Nebraska: If you want to live in town with close neighbors but want a big sky out your window, you might like Atlanta. It’s just the place to combine town and country. Learn More

Housing & Income

Households

3,717

Total Housing Units

4,169


Owner Occupied

2,657

Renter Occupied

1,060

Vacant

452

Median Home Value

$186,307


Average Home Value

$232,734

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.74%

Income Projection

Median Household

$69,223 $80,362


Average Household

$91,390 $103,091


Per Capita

$38,249 $43,779

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Workforce

Total Businesses

552

Total Employed

4,850

Workers 16+

4,446

2024 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

42

Employed

702

2024 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

66

Employed

622

2024 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

13

Employed

476

2024 Wholesale Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

27

Employed

402

2024 Construction Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

22

Employed

356

2024 Other Service excl Pub Admin

cp-industries

Businesses

84

Employed

332

Some
High School

303

Graduated
High School

1,480

Associates
Degree

913

Bachelor's
Degree

1,329

Graduate
Degree

421

Average Commute Time

16 min.



Resident Commuters

3,586

Non-Resident Commuters

833

Drive Alone

3,590

Carpooled

534

Public

0

Work At Home

164

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Workforce Occupations

Labor Availability

In May 2019, a Labor Availability Report was conducted by Kenneth M. Lemke, Ph.D. The report concluded that an employer offering attractive working conditions with competitive wages and employee benefits in Phelps County would be able to select from a substantial pool of applicants. In fact, the report states, "…a prospective new employer providing job opportunities with competitive wages and benefits and offering career opportunities would be a welcome addition to the employment base in the Phelps County Labor Area. The response to such employment opportunities would be substantial, and as this report shows, there is a sizeable labor force and population base living within the Phelps County Labor Area."

Employable Commuters: Phelps County's primary labor pool is drawn from a geographic area including Phelps County and its contiguous seven counties; but, existing employers attract a labor force from an even larger area. With minimal road congestion and convenient access to I-80 existing employers are able to attract qualified employees from a 60-mile radius: a commute time of around 60 minutes.

For more detailed information, download the Labor Availability Report.

Area Wage and Benefits Comparison

Workforce Establishments

Total Businesses: 985
Total Employees: 5,165
Total Residential Population: 9,249
Employee/Residential Population Ratio: 0.56

Leading Employers

Phelps County Employers

Manufacturers
EmployerProductFTE*
Becton DickinsonMedical equipment and supplies150
embectaInsulin syringes500
AllmandPortable light towers, arrow boards, & industrial heaters225
Hawkins ManufacturingFarm Equipment18
Nebraska Star BeefBeef processing8
Earth Science Laboratories, Inc.Algaecide and bactericide used in the treatment of lakes, ponds, potable water, pools, spas, & hot tubs7
PlanterworxAgriculture implements6
Holen One FarmsSpices, marinades, & BBQ sauce2

 

Private Employers
EmployerProductFTE*
LandMark Implement, Inc.Farm equipment, products, & services227
Phelps Memorial Health CenterMedical220
Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. (IES)Electrical design, construction, & maintenance215
CHS Agri Service CenterMixed-grain feed & fertilizer200
Holdrege Public SchoolsEducation168
Holdrege Memorial HomesLong term care/retirement center150
Christian Homes Care CommunityLong term care/retirement center130
Central NE Public Power & IrrigationElectric Utility102
MosaicServices for developmentally disabled54

 

Public Employers
EmployerProductFTE*
Phelps CountyCounty Government81
City of HoldregeCity Government56

*Full Time Equivalent

Higher Education

Central Community College

Central Community College's Training and Development Team is responsive to the training and educational needs of Phelps County businesses. Training can be conducted at the location of your choosing. CCC has experience in the following subjects but welcomes the opportunity to create curriculum that meets your needs: Leadership and Development, Computer Training, Human Resources Management, Industrial Maintenance, Quality Control, Environmental Health and Safety, Computer Technology, Mechatronics, Welding Technology, and Industrial Technology.

A CCC Learning Center is conveniently located in Holdrege and provides educational opportunities for the high school graduates and non-traditional students, injecting potential employees into the labor pool. CCC students typically continue to work and live in the 25-county area served by CCC. In fact, over the past two decades 95% of CCC graduates (17,786) stayed in Nebraska and 77% (14,416) remain in the CCC service area.

University of Nebraska at Kearney

The University of Nebraska at Kearney also provides local businesses with a supply of bright, young employees. UNK, a quick commute from Phelps County, offers 170 undergraduate majors, 25 pre-professional programs, and 34 graduate programs sure to complement business' needs.

Transportation

Highways

U.S. Highways 6/34 and 183 intersect near the center of Phelps County sending truck and car traffic in all four directions. An Interstate-80 interchange is located just 17 miles north of Holdrege.

 

Rail

The Nebraska Kansas Colorado Rail (NKCR) is operated by logistics company OmniTrax. Their motto is "Rail Made Easy." The NKCR has an interchange with the BNSF Railway in Holdrege.

Click the map at the right for a larger version.

The Iron Horse Business & Industry Park has been engineered with 8 rail-served sites. OmniTrax, the owner of the NKCR, works with the BNSF to get your raw materials in and/or your finished goods out.

Air

Brewster Field is the municipal airport in Holdrege. It has one lighted, hard-surfaced 4,700-foot runway. Small and medium-sized corporate jets can be accommodated. A heated hangar is available for long or short-term aircraft storage. The hangar also houses a comfortable passenger waiting area and pilot's lounge.

Kearney Regional Airport, just 45 minutes from Holdrege, is served by SkyWest Airlines / United Express, operating 50 passenger regional jets with 12 nonstop roundtrip flights per week to Denver International Airport.

The Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island is just 90 minutes from Holdrege. American Eagle offers daily flights to and from Dallas-Ft. Worth. Allegiant Airlines also flies weekly flights to vacation destinations in Phoenix, Las Vegas, and Orlando.

Free and convenient parking, short security lines, and speedy baggage claim make flying in and out of Kearney or Grand Island effortless.