York County

York County, with a population 13,862, is in the heart of agricultural country and a transportation corridor which includes east/west by I-80 and U.S. Hwy. 34, and north/south by U.S. 81, a major north-south 4-lane expressway that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to Canada (Pan-America Highway).  Burlington Northern Santa Fe’s main line travels through York County including Waco, York and Bradshaw. There is also a line extending up to Benedict giving many opportunities for rail service companies. Private air service is available in York, two commercial air services are within 45 minutes, and Omaha Eppely Airline is within 90 minutes giving you a choice of air service.  Other competitive advantages offered here are fertile soil, plentiful underground water supply, a community minded 4-year college, a strong and loyal workforce, and some of the lowest electric rates in the nation due to Nebraska being a 100% all public power state.  Businesses in York County have been able to recruit workforce from an hour drive time, which includes the metro areas of both Lincoln and Grand Island, greatly expanding the labor pool.  This competitive location has attracted transportation logistics & warehousing, advanced manufacturing, and agriculture companies.

NPPD Economic & Demographic Trends Study November 2017

Demographics

Are you looking for the perfect place to live? One that offers a multitude of amenities, recreational opportunities yet has a low cost of living? If so, we will fill you in on a little secret. It exists. In York County, Nebraska. To learn more, see links below:

Population

Total Population

14,184

Population
Growth Rate

0.00%

Median Age

44

Diversity Index

28.500

Housing & Income

Households

5,731

Total Housing Units

6,395


Owner Occupied

4,110

Renter Occupied

1,621

Vacant

664

Median Home Value

$175,679


Average Home Value

$204,489

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.54%

Income Projection

Median Household

$72,449 $80,870


Average Household

$99,380 $111,403


Per Capita

$40,249 $45,634

Talent Strategies that Have Been Developed for York County Businesses

  • 17 County Leadership ProgramFirst class starting January 2021! Participants will meet for three four-hour sessions as a group to improve their leadership skills and connect with other rising leaders in the county. Participants will also be involved in three one-on-one leadership coaching calls to evaluate their strengths in the workplace and community and complete a 360-degree leadership evaluation.
  • Regional Career Day (Started in 2014 and brings businesses and students from 8-12 schools together)
  • YCDC Sits on York Public Schools JAG Advisory ProgramJobs for America’s Graduates (JAG) is a resiliency-building workforce preparation program that helps students learn in-demand employability skills and provides a bridge to post-secondary education and career advancement opportunities.
  • Jobs Directory
  • Industry Tours in Manufacturing Month
  • Why York County Videos
  • Community Tours offered to YCDC Member Businesses for Key Employees What’s a key employee? You tell us! Use YCDC to sell the County to potential workforce while you sell your business!
  • Regional Manufacturing Collaboration Manufacturing Barn Tour Starting in 2019, YCDC worked with our manufacturing collaboration and our school superintendents to visit schools to visit with targeted students about the opportunities in manufacturing.
  • Virtual Reality Talent Recruitment Video
  • 17-County Podcast
  • Social Media Promotions (continuing to expand with new campaigns and content)

Workforce

Total Businesses

851

Total Employed

9,434

Workers 16+

6,766

2023 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

71

Employed

2,309

2023 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

110

Employed

1,200

2023 Accommodation / Food Service

cp-industries

Businesses

57

Employed

954

2023 Manufacturing Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

35

Employed

803

2023 Food Service / Drinking Est.

cp-industries

Businesses

41

Employed

770

2023 Wholesale Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

31

Employed

687

Some
High School

365

Graduated
High School

2,592

Associates
Degree

1,710

Bachelor's
Degree

1,810

Graduate
Degree

915

Average Commute Time

16 min.



Resident Commuters

5,664

Non-Resident Commuters

1,074

Drive Alone

5,465

Carpooled

536

Public

0

Work At Home

481

Labor Market

Explore the Skills Ready York Labor Market today!

Whether you are looking to hire a CEO, production worker or someone to lock the doors at the end of the day, York County has the skilled and motivated workforce you are looking for.  A strong work ethic, skills, experience and education are just a few characteristics that are used to describe the labor pool in which York County offers. While you will find it easy to find the right person for the job, the access to additional education and training greatly enhances only improves an already excellent workforce.

The York Region 7 county labor market has 210,698 workers, and Nebraska has a 70.8% labor participartion rate.  To learn more about the specifics of York County’s labor market, we invite you to look at our social and economic characteristics. For more detailed information regarding the area’s labor market, please review the below documents.

Government and Taxation

It’s no secret that businesses are looking for ways to boost their bottom line. By doing business in York County, Nebraska, businesses can do just that. To learn more about the specifics business operating costs in York County, we invite you to look at tax, incentive, utility and permitting information below. For more detailed information regarding the area’s operating costs, contact our team for a report tailored to meet your needs.

Corporate Tax

Tax Rate Schedule

If Net Nebraska Taxable Income from line 12 is -

OVERBUT NOT OVERTAX RATE ISON EXCESS OVER
$0.00$100,000.005.58%$0.00
$100,000.00 $5,580 + 7.81%$100,000.00

 

Personal Income Tax

Personal Tax Rates in Nebraska vary depending on a number of factors. To get a more precise picture of what your personal income tax in Nebraska would be, please visit the Nebraska Department of Revenue for more information.

Sales Tax

The State of Nebraska has a 5.5% sales tax rate. Each local municipality can add an additional sales tax of up to 1.5% or 2% with an additional special vote. The City of York has passed the additional tax to do 2.0% with 0.5% of that allocated to infrastructure and recreational facilities for a total sales tax of 7.5%.  All other municipalities in York County have a rate of 1.5% for a total sales tax rate of 7%.

Use Tax

All personal and intangible property purchased by a company outside of the State of Nebraska is subject to the Nebraska Sales Tax Rate if the property is not exempt from the tax code.

Inventory Tax

Nebraska does not have an inventory tax.

Other Tax Highlights

  • No state property tax
  • No inventory tax
  • No personal property tax on intangibles
  • No sales tax on raw materials when used as ingredients or component parts in manufacturing operations
  • No sales tax on sales of energy for processing or manufacturing purposes
  • No sales tax on water used exclusively in manufacturing and processing
  • No sales tax on qualified agricultural machinery and equipment
  • No sales tax on manufacturing machinery, equipment, and related services
  • Sales and use tax refunds are available on qualified air and water pollution control equipment
  • Sales and use tax refunds are available on property qualifying for certain investment incentives

Permitting

York County and municipalities throughout the county require those engaging in new construction to apply for building permits. Fees associated with those permits vary upon the location but can be as little as $5. Below are sample building permit fees for new construction or remodel activities in York County.

City of York

Building permit fees are based on the value of the project as determined during the application procedure. This figure includes all building costs and labor. Building permit fees in York are as follows:

Project CostPermit Fee
First $2000 Value$20.00
Each Additional $1000 or part there of$2.00

Electrical, Mechanical and Plumbing permit fees are $10.00 for issuance of permit plus inspection fees (minimum $10.00). Fees for these permits are billed upon final inspection of project. Other potential fees in the City of York are as follows:

Permit TypePermit Fee
Landscape Permit$20.00
Street Opening/Curb Cut Permit$20.00
Sign Permit$20 per sign
Demolition Permit$20.00
Floodplain Development PermitNo charge

For more information regarding Building & Zoning regulations in the City of York, contact the staff at York County Development Corporation or visit the City of York’s website.

York County

Building Permit fees for development in County jurisdiction are as follows:

ProjectPermit Fee
Other Than Agriculture Purposes$25.00
Agriculture PurposesNo Fee

For more information on Building & Zoning regulations in York County, contact the Staff at York County Development Corporation or visit York County’s website.

Transportation

YORK COUNTY TRANSPORATION & LOGISTICS MAP

Highways

York County, Nebraska can reach 90% of the United States in 2 days or less due to its extensive highway infrastructure in Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 81 (also known as the Pan-American Highway) and U.S. Highway 34.

Interstate 80 (I-80) One of America’s busiest roadways, I-80 connects the East Coast to the West from downtown San Francisco, California to Teaneck, New Jersey, near New York City.  Interstate 80, which is the second longest Interstate Highway, has 4 exits in York County, Nebraska:  Exit #342 – Henderson; Exit #348 – Bradshaw; Exit #353 – U.S. Highway 81, York; Exit #360 – Waco.
U.S. Highway 81 – Running North to South, U.S. Highway 81 provides quick and easy access into Canada, as well as to the Ports in Texas.  The Highway intersects with Interstate 80 in York County, allowing for travel in any direction.
U.S. Highway 34 – Located just 3 miles North of Interstate 80, U.S. Highway 34 runs East to West, allowing for an alternate route to Interstate 80.  The route runs approximately 1,122 miles from the western suburbs of Chicago to north-central Colorado.

With these 3 roadways, making connections to other parts of the country from York County, Nebraska is a snap. Traveling East on Interstate 80 provides access to Interstate 29, which is 105 miles (90 minutes) from York County.  U.S. Highway 81 provides travelers with access to Interstate 70, 140 to the South, and Interstate 90, 235 miles to the North.

Rail Service

York County, Nebraska is served by Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF). BNSF has a main line that extends the length of the county.  In addition to the main line, there is also a spur owned by BNSF that runs from York, 8 miles North to Benedict.

Air Service

Travelers can reach York County from one of 3 commercial airports: Lincoln Municipal Airport (45 miles East), Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island (45 miles West) or Eppley Airfield in Omaha (90 miles East).

  • Lincoln Municipal Airport (LNK) LNK is served by United Airlines and Delta Airlines with daily departures to and arrivals from  Chicago, Denver, Memphis and Minneapolis.
  • Central Nebraska Regional Airport (GRI) GRI is served by Allegiant Air, Great Lakes Airlines and American Eagle (American Airlines) with arrivals from and departures to Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Las Vegas and Phoenix-Mesa.
  • Eppley Airfield (OMA) OMA is served by Delta, Mesa, American Eagle, Southwest, United, American, Frontier, Northwwest, continental, Midwest Express and American West airlines and has daily flights and connections to all major U.S. cities.

York County also has a local airport for small private jets and aircrafts.  York Municipal Airport (JYR) is a publically owned facility that is managed by the City of York.  Aviation flight training, aircraft service, aircraft rental and short-term hanger rental is available. JYR has a concrete runway that is 5,900 feet long by 100 feet wide.

Utilities

Electricity

The estimated annualized average base cost per kilowatt-hour for a small commercial customer would be in the 8-9 cent range.  The average base cost for a medium sized commercial or industrial customer would be 6-7 cents per kilowatt-hour.  The cost for a large industrial customer would range from 4.5 cents to 5.5 cents per kilowatt-hour.  For a copy of rate schedules and more detailed rate information, contact the electric service providers below.

York, NE Electrical Service Served by NPPD

About NPPD

Nebraska Public Power District (NPPD) is the electric supplier to York and is Nebraska’s largest electric utility with a chartered territory including all or parts of 86 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. NPPD is a vertically integrated utility operating generating facilities, transmission and distribution facilities in an integrated network across Nebraska.  NPPD’s generation comes from a diversified mix including coal, nuclear, wind, hydro and natural gas.  Approximately 46% of NPPD’s energy generated in 2015 was carbon free.  For the past three years, NPPD’s reliability as measured by the Average Service Availability Index has exceeded 99.9% system wide.  NPPD serves over 18,000 commercial and industrial customers with an industrial rate 11 percent below the national average based on data reported to the Energy Information Administration.

Economic Development Incentive Rate

Nebraska Public Power District’s (NPPD’s) Board of Directors approved a new wholesale economic development rate of 2.9 cents per kilowatt hour, effective January 1, 2016. The final rate is determined by the local retail power provider and would include additional applicable expenses needed to deliver and service the customer. Preliminary estimates indicate the range could fall in the 3.7 to 5.0 cents per kilowatt hour range. Prospective or expanding industrial customers are eligible to receive the economic development rate for up to five years, IF they receive retail service from NPPD or one of NPPD’s wholesale customers AND meet the following criteria:

  • have a projected new or additional electrical load of 1 megawatt or greater;
  • have a minimum monthly load factor of 60 percent or greater;
  • have entered into a written agreement with the state or any political subdivision to provide an economic  development project pursuant to state or   local law; and
  • wholesale customer and end-use customer have entered into a written service agreement with NPPD.

Renewable Energy Programs

NPPD has a proven way of helping large commercial and industrial customers reach their long term renewable, sustainable goals in a cost effective manner.  Through very attractive low cost Power Purchase Agreements NPPD has arranged with wind developers (Nebraska has one of the best wind resources in the world), coupled with a unique financial hedge component, prospective companies are seeing an NPPD-served industrial site as a competitive advantage.  NPPD has recently completed such an arrangement with Becton Dickinson Corporation and is available at your convenience to discuss how we can help your client reach its renewable energy goals.

NPPD has also implemented a smaller scale green energy program whereby customers may purchase blocks of renewable energy, at cost, in whatever quantities they choose.

Other Available Services

NPPD is committed to helping customers maximize the value of their energy expenses by offering technical support on energy efficiency and other energy related issues as well as energy efficiency incentive programs.  In addition to in-house technical support resources, NPPD is a member of the Electric Power Research Institute and co-founded the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Energy Sciences Research.

Service to Proposed Sites

The City of York is fed from a networked 115kV transmission system,  a 34.5kV sub-transmission system and a 12.5kV distribution system.  NPPD can provide service to York sites at any industry standard voltage and offers rate options for industrial customers based on their load profile and desire to own portions of their own utility infrastructure (e.g. primary voltage transformers).

Rural York County Electrical Service served by Perennial Public Power District

About Perennial Public Power District

Perennial Public Power District (Perennial) provides reliable electric service to seven communities and all of the rural areas in York County.  As a not-for-profit utility that has been in business over 75 years, Perennial is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors elected from the customers it serves.  Focusing on customer service and low costs, Perennial’s electric rates are well below the national average.

Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund  

Perennial actively participates in the development of communities in the area.  Through its Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, Perennial enhances the economic climate of the area by helping finance projects that lead to the creation of jobs and sustained economic growth.  Low interest loans are available for a term of up to 10 years for projects such as medical or other emergency facilities; training and educational facilities; community infrastructure; small business start-up projects; small business expansion projects; business incubators; and commercial or industrial development.

Economic Development Rate

In addition to local and state incentives available to new or expanding businesses, Perennial offers a discounted economic development electric rate as an additional incentive to current and prospective customers.  The rate is available to customers that add a minimum of 1,000 kW of load, and who have a monthly load factor of at least 60%.  The discounted rate will be provided for a period of up to 5 years


Natural Gas

York County, Nebraska is served by Black Hills Energy for natural gas services.  Black Hills Energy is the retail supplier with Kinder Morgan being the transmission provider.  For information on rate schedules, services and more detailed information, contact a staff member at YCDC or Black Hills Energy directly.


Water

Water service in York County is dependent on location with supply not being an issue.  The City of York Water Division provides water service within the corporate limits.  The system is supplied by 16 wells averaging 300 feet in depth.  The system has a maximum capacity of 9,964,800 gallons per day with an average daily demand of 1,748,000 gallons.


Wastewater

Wastewater service in York County is dependent on location with service and supply not being an issue.  The Wastewater Division is responsible for the Treatment Plant and Sewer System maintenance.  The mechanical treatment plant has a capacity of 5,200,000 gallons per day with an average daily flow of 1,318,000 gallons.


Telecommunications

York County is served by Hamilton Telecommunications, Unite Private Networks, Windstream, Mainstay Communications,Time Warner Cable and Exede for telecommunication services.

  • Hamilton Telecommunications, an Aurora, NE based-company, is a provider of I.T., telecommunication, and high speed fiber-optic based connectivity solutions.  Hamilton’s fiber-optic network delivers business-class Ethernet, dedicated internet access, and wide area network services.  Hamilton provides: dedicated fiber connections directly to the customer premise; diverse routing; redundant tier 1 internet connections; bandwidth options ranging from 3 Mbps to 10 Gbps; fully managed I.T. services including LAN and WAN management; cloud services; hosted PBX; managed hosting and data center services; and firewall management — all with simple and competitive pricing. 
  • Unite Private Networks (UPN) provides high-bandwidth, fiber-based communications networks and services to businesses. They provide the following services: dedicated Internet Access, MPLS, Dark Fiber, Metro E, Mobile Backhaul and DWDM services.
  • Windstream Provides MPLS and Internet services from 3Mbps scalable to 1 Gbps of bandwidth.  All of our MPLS and Ethernet services are symmetrical upload and download connections that are managed for performance and stability. York, NE has (2) 1 Gbps feeds for Internet and MPLS services and is part of (2) redundant transport rings in Southeast Nebraska, protecting telecommunication routes to Omaha and Lincoln.”
  • Mainstay Communications provides telecommunications services in Henderson and wireless broadband services to York County.  Mainstay Communications is an advanced telecommunications provider in Henderson offering phone service with the most up to date digital central office in the area. Our outside plant is 100% buried fiber providing all our subscribers with the ability to access high speed internet through DSL services
  • Time Warner Cable provides high speed internet services, cable services and digital phone services.  Time Warner Business Class provides the following services:  Fiber Based Products, Network Services, Cloud Desktop as a Service, Application Services, Enterprise Mobility Management,  Hosting Services, Managed Network, Video, Business Class Internet, Data Storage, Web Hosting, and Telephone
  • Exede provides satellite internet.