Total Population
9,221
Population
Growth Rate
0.04%
Median Age
45
Diversity Index
20.300
Major Employers
Phelps County
Population
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
3,778
Total Housing Units
4,175
Owner Occupied
2,525
Renter Occupied
1,253
Vacant
397
Median Home Value
$130,779
Average Home Value
$165,139
Income
Growth Rate
Median
Household Income
0.00%
Per Capita Income
2.03%
Income Projection
Median Household
$57,496 $62,861
Average Household
$71,978 $79,720
Per Capita
$29,524 $32,652
Workforce
Total Businesses
605
Total Employed
4,396
Workers 16+
4,676
HealthCare/Social Assist
Businesses
40
Employed
666
Retail Trade Businesses
Businesses
76
Employed
655
Wholesale Trade Businesses
Businesses
32
Employed
377
Other Service excl Pub Admin
Businesses
77
Employed
365
Educational Services - Businesses
Businesses
15
Employed
341
Agric/Forestry/Fish/Hunt
Businesses
68
Employed
271
Some
High School
298
Graduated
High School
1,793
Associates
Degree
767
Bachelor's
Degree
1,283
Graduate
Degree
502
Average Commute Time
14 min.
Resident Commuters
3,818
Non-Resident Commuters
844
Drive Alone
3,879
Carpooled
422
Public
0
Work At Home
197
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.
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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Employer | Product | FTE* |
| Becton Dickinson | Insulin syringes | 534 |
| Allmand Brothers | Portable light towers, arrow boards, & industrial heaters | 177 |
| Hawkins Manufacturing | Farm Equipment | 18 |
| Nebraska Star Beef | Beef processing | 8 |
| Earth Science Laboratories, Inc. | Algaecide and bactericide used in the treatment of lakes, ponds, potable water, pools, spas, & hot tubs | 7 |
| Holen One Farms | Spices, marinades, & BBQ sauce | 2 |
| Private Employers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Employer | Product | FTE* |
| LandMark Implement, Inc. | Farm equipment, products, & services | 227 |
| Phelps Memorial Health Center | Medical | 220 |
| Integrated Electrical Services, Inc. (IES) | Electrical design, construction, & maintenance | 215 |
| CHS Agri Service Center | Mixed-grain feed & fertilizer | 200 |
| Holdrege Public Schools | Education | 168 |
| Holdrege Memorial Homes | Long term care/retirement center | 150 |
| Christian Homes Care Community | Long term care/retirement center | 130 |
| Central NE Public Power & Irrigation | Electric Utility | 102 |
| Mosaic | Services for developmentally disabled | 54 |
| Public Employers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Employer | Product | FTE* |
| Phelps County | County Government | 81 |
| City of Holdrege | City Government | 56 |
*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.
