Older rural residents more satisfied living in Nebraska, survey says

A majority of the state’s residents are satisfied living in Nebraska, but there are disparities in satisfaction among age groups, urban and rural residents, and along political party lines, according to recent survey results.

The findings of the September Nebraska Snapshot from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Bureau of Sociological Research show that older and rural Nebraskans are more satisfied living here.

The Nebraska Snapshot, released bi-monthly, is produced from a series of questions included in the Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey, deployed in summer and fall each year. It includes responses from about 1,700 Nebraska residents. 

According to the survey, the most satisfied age group of Nebraskans is 65 and older, with 50% reporting they are very satisfied and 33% saying they are somewhat satisfied. Nebraskans aged 19-44 are the least satisfied age group, with 34% reporting being very satisfied, 42% somewhat satisfied and 24% neutral, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied. Most Nebraskans aged 45-64 are somewhat satisfied, with 42% reporting so and only 36% saying they are very satisfied.

Statewide, Nebraska residents are mostly satisfied with living here, at 38% and 40% very and somewhat satisfied and 21% neutral, somewhat or very dissatisfied.

Kristen Labadie | University Communication and Marketing

Rural residents appear more satisfied living in Nebraska than urban residents, according to the survey. Of those living on a farm or in open country, 49% of respondents said they were very satisfied, contrasted with those living in a town or city, where only 36% said they were very satisfied. By region, those in the north and south-central areas were the most satisfied, while those in the Panhandle and southeast regions were the least satisfied.

“Nebraska’s younger and middle-aged population is less satisfied living in Nebraska than the 65-plus age group, and more of the younger population lives in southeast and Midland Nebraska, so it makes sense that these areas are also less satisfied,” said Amanda Ganshert, assistant director for research and methods at BOSR. “More people in the 65-plus age group are Republicans than Democrats, so we can see the correlation between this age group and Republican satisfaction living in Nebraska.”

Republicans are considerably more satisfied than their Democrat and other party and independent counterparts, according to the survey. Fifty-five percent of Republicans reported being very satisfied, while only 24% of Democrats and 28% of other affiliations said they were very satisfied. Democrats are also the least satisfied, with 36% stating they were neutral, somewhat dissatisfied or very dissatisfied, compared to only 11% of Republicans.

NASIS is used by researchers, state entities and policymakers, but also includes a core questionnaire that delves into demographics, quality of life measures, educational attainment and community satisfaction, among other variables. These core questions will inform most of the Nebraska Snapshot series. Previous topics covered by Nebraska Snapshots include internet access, finances and how Nebraskans feel about the direction of the state. 

All Nebraska Snapshots are available online. To include research questions on the next NASIS administration, email bosr@unl.edu.