St. Helena: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in St. Helena center on a median $85,625 (1.2× higher than Cedar County median $73,578; 1.1× higher than Nebraska median $77,892), with homes at a median value of $156,700. The surrounding county supports 2,789 jobs (avg $44,563).
- $77,007 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $85,625 — above the Nebraska median ($77,891). Poverty rate 4.1% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 1.8× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | affordable |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 4.1% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 1.7% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $3,970 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $305,718 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $77,007 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $94,722 |
| Median Household Income | $85,625 (vs Nebraska $77,892) |
| Poverty Rate | 4.1% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | blue_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Manufacturing |
| Economic Character · Income Level | upper-middle |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $85,625 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.4% — below the U.S. average of ~4%.
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
|---|---|
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 2,789 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $124,282,860 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $44,563 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 1,000,860 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.4% (vs Nebraska 3.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 57 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 26,462 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 464.20 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Grain, Cattle, Corn |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 295 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 1,895 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 74,461 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 5 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 9 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 8 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Physician Offices | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Child Day Care | 4 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 4 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 4 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 3 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (8)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (2)
| Nearest Snap · Name | CASEY'S 1173 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Distance | 5.1 mi |
Sources: USDA SNAP — nearest by coordinates
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | SUTTON AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $54,031,279 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,447.65 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 8,380 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 71.2% |
|---|---|
| Retirement Score · Median age | 38.7 years (vs Nebraska 37.3y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 43.8% |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | strong SS base, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12