Find a Job You Really Want In
Top 10 Cities in Nebraska with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
Are you considering a career change but love your hometown? Finding a new job in your community can be daunting, especially in a competitive job market. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of Nebraska cities boasting the lowest unemployment rates, indicating stronger job opportunities.
Whether you’re moving to Nebraska for its charm or seeking new employment prospects, understanding the local job market is crucial. We analyzed demographic data to pinpoint cities with the most robust job markets. Here’s our ranking of Nebraska’s cities with the lowest unemployment rates.
- Sidney(Jobs)
- Blair(Jobs)
- York(Jobs)
- Holdrege(Jobs)
- Chadron(Jobs)
- Gretna(Jobs)
- Papillion(Jobs)
- Norfolk(Jobs)
- La Vista(Jobs)
- Seward(Jobs)
For employers, a low unemployment rate reflects a healthy community, making it an attractive place to establish or relocate a business. Sidney stands out as the city with the lowest unemployment rate in Nebraska, showcasing its strong job market.
Continue reading to discover how we identified these cities and the factors contributing to their employment success.
For additional job resources in Nebraska, consider exploring:
Methodology: Identifying Nebraska Cities with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To determine which Nebraska cities had the lowest unemployment rates, we focused on locations with populations exceeding 5,000 and available data.
This analysis included 32 cities across Nebraska, where we examined unemployment rates sourced from the latest American Community Survey data.
We believe that the unemployment rate is a critical indicator of job availability in each city, whether you’re considering an intrastate, interstate, or intercity move. We ranked the cities from one to 32, with one being the city with the lowest unemployment. In cases of ties, larger cities received preference.
If your city isn’t among the top ten, scroll down for a comprehensive chart. Otherwise, let’s explore how the leading cities achieved their impressive employment rates.
1. Sidney
Population: 6,801
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%
Sidney tops our list with an outstanding unemployment rate of just 1.0%, setting a high standard for job availability in the state.
2. Blair
Population: 7,990
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%
Blair follows closely in second place with a low unemployment rate of 1.3%, making it an appealing option for job seekers.
3. York
Population: 7,878
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%
York rounds out the podium at third place with a commendable unemployment rate of 1.8%.
4. Holdrege
Population: 5,506
Unemployment Rate: 1.9%
Holdrege claims the fourth position with a solid unemployment rate of 1.9%, making it a great choice for career starters.
5. Chadron
Population: 5,829
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
Chadron secures the fifth spot with a favorable unemployment rate of 2.7%, offering stable employment opportunities for its residents.
6. Gretna
Population: 5,416
Unemployment Rate: 2.8%
Gretna comes in sixth with an unemployment rate of 2.8%, reflecting a healthy job market.
7. Papillion
Population: 21,100
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
With an unemployment rate of 3.4%, Papillion holds the seventh position, indicating promising job prospects.
8. Norfolk
Population: 24,364
Unemployment Rate: 3.4%
Norfolk matches Papillion with a 3.4% unemployment rate, showcasing its competitive job market.
9. La Vista
Population: 17,125
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
La Vista rounds out the top nine with a 3.5% unemployment rate, providing ample job opportunities.
10. Seward
Population: 7,050
Unemployment Rate: 3.5%
Seward completes our list in tenth place with a 3.5% unemployment rate, still reflecting a strong employment landscape.
Conclusion: Unemployment Trends in Nebraska
These ten cities in Nebraska represent the best opportunities for job seekers in 2026, boasting low unemployment rates and a vibrant job market. If you’re contemplating a move to Nebraska, these cities should be at the top of your list.
For further insights into job markets across the U.S., visit Zippia. If you’re a recent college graduate exploring relocation options, check out which states tend to attract graduates and which ones they leave behind.
Here’s a quick overview of cities with the highest unemployment rates in Nebraska:
- South Sioux City
- Schuyler
- Scottsbluff
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Nebraska
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Sidney | 1 | 1.0% |
| Blair | 2 | 1.3% |
| York | 3 | 1.8% |
| Holdrege | 4 | 1.9% |
| Chadron | 5 | 2.7% |
| Gretna | 6 | 2.8% |
| Papillion | 7 | 3.4% |
| Norfolk | 8 | 3.4% |
| La Vista | 9 | 3.5% |
| Seward | 10 | 3.5% |
| Kearney | 11 | 3.8% |
| Alliance | 12 | 4.4% |
| Crete | 13 | 4.5% |
| Wayne | 14 | 4.6% |
| Beatrice | 15 | 4.7% |
| North Platte | 16 | 4.7% |
| Plattsmouth | 17 | 4.9% |
| Gering | 18 | 4.9% |
| Fremont | 19 | 5.0% |
| Mccook | 20 | 5.0% |
| Columbus | 21 | 5.1% |
| Lincoln | 22 | 5.3% |
| Ralston | 23 | 5.8% |
| Hastings | 24 | 6.2% |
| Omaha | 25 | 6.3% |
| Grand Island | 26 | 6.6% |
| Bellevue | 27 | 6.7% |
| Nebraska City | 28 | 6.8% |
| Lexington | 29 | 7.7% |
| Scottsbluff | 30 | 8.1% |
| Schuyler | 31 | 9.1% |
| South Sioux City | 32 | 9.4% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
