St. Paul: Economy & Jobs

$62,212 is the median household income in St. Paul (1.2× below Howard County median $76,767; 1.3× below Nebraska median $77,892), with homes at a median value of $203,300. The surrounding county supports 1,570 jobs (avg $43,289).

Income & Affordability

Median household income $62,212 — below the Nebraska median ($77,891). Poverty rate 3.9% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 17% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).

Affordability · Home Price To Income3.3×
Affordability · Home Affordabilitymoderate
Affordability · Rent Pct Income13.9%
Affordability · Rent Affordabilityaffordable
Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened16.7%
Affordability · Poverty Rate3.9%
Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income4.7%
Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed$3,110
Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands)$207,463
Irs Income · Average AGI per return$66,708
Irs Income · Year2022
Income Estimate$66,653
Median Household Income$62,212 (vs Nebraska $77,892)
Poverty Rate3.9%

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 · Workforcemixed
Economic Character · Top IndustryEducation Healthcare
Economic Character · Income Levelmiddle-class
Economic Character · Median Income$62,212

Employment & Workforce

Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 0.6% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 8% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).

Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min26.60
Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct7.8%
Commuter Profile · Profilemoderate commute
Employment · Avg annual employment (county)1,570
Employment · Total annual wages (county)$67,963,202
Employment · Average annual pay$43,289
Employment · Year2024
State Occupation Wages · Year2023
State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code00-0000
State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · TitleAll Occupations
State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment1,000,860
Unemployment Rate0.6% (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 Farms2
Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres212,869
Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres106,434.50
Agriculture · Top CommoditiesAnimal Totals, Cattle, Crop Totals, Grain, Corn
Agriculture · Year2022
Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count)172
Business Patterns · Total Employees1,091
Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands43,428
Business Patterns · Year2022

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 Stores3
Local Businesses · Gas Stations5
Local Businesses · Auto Repair4
Local Businesses · Commercial Banks4
Local Businesses · Insurance Agencies7
Local Businesses · Full Service Restaurants5

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 Restaurants5

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 (2)

Homestead Bank
ST PAUL BRANCH · 619 Grand St · 68873
Heritage Bank
ST. PAUL BRANCH · 821 2nd St · 68873

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 (1)

Kerry's Grocery
Grocery Store · 101 Mill St S
Nearest Snap · NameKerry's Grocery
Nearest Snap · Total In Area1

Sources: USDA SNAP — county FIPS aggregate

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 · NameSUTTON 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$47,729,877
Federal Spending · Per Capita7,371.41
Federal Spending · Population6,475 people

Sources: USAspending API

Other

Pct Drove Alone85.1%
Pct Public Transit0.6%
Pct Walked7.8%
Retirement Score · Median age42.5 years (vs Nebraska 37.3y)
Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct45.4%
Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby1
Retirement Score · Va AccessYes
Retirement Score · Factorsolder population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby
Retirement Score · Ratingexcellent

Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023  ·  Refreshed 2026-04-12