Are you thinking about moving to Omaha, Nebraska? It’s a great choice! Omaha, Nebraska is a city full of social and cultural attractions and a lower cost of living than many other major US cities. Keep reading to find out what you should know before moving to Omaha.
What to Know Before Moving to Omaha
Omaha – The Stats
Omaha’s population has increased by 13 percent since 2000, but it lags behind the US national average for population growth. Experts believe Omaha, NE, and the surrounding suburbs will continue to see moderate population growth over the next decade.
The US Census 2017 ACS 5-Year Survey reports the following findings.
- The percentage split in the population among people living in Omaha is approximately 51% female and 49% male.
- The median age of Omaha residents is 34.3 years.
Communities In Omaha
There are 30 townships and communities in the Greater Omaha region, and it’s the largest city in Nebraska. Omaha annexed eleven incorporated areas into its boundaries, with the city home to 400,000+ people and the Greater Omaha hosting 900,000+ people.
Many people living in Omaha work for Mutual of Omaha and Union Pacific, both of which are Fortune 500 companies, and headquartered in Downtown Omaha. The world-renowned University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) is among the top healthcare employers in the state and is also located near downtown Omaha.
2017 statistics show Omaha residents living in the Washington County region have approximately an 11 percent poverty rate, with those in the Cass County area experiencing a 6 percent poverty rate. The communities and townships in Omaha offer different price points for home buyers, with the average home price being $150,000.
Omaha residents enjoy a cost of living that’s 11 percent below the national average, making it more affordable than California, New York, Florida, or Colorado. The pandemic saw plenty of growth and competition in the housing market, with the World Population Review discovering 57 percent of people living in Omaha are homeowners.
Weather in Omaha
Omaha gets some of the best weather in the United States. Its central position in the Midwestern states means it has warm summers and snowy winters. Omaha is a great state to live in if you want to experience all four seasons. The city has an average of 214 sunny days per year and an average of 38′ of snowfall, with a lower annual rainfall average than the rest of the country.
Omaha, NE sits at #24 out of 25 cities with tornado risk in the region. In fact, there’s less chance of you experiencing a tornado in Omaha than a wildfire or earthquake in California.
Entertainment in Omaha
The city and Greater Omaha area are home to thousands of bars and restaurants. The Benson neighborhood goes by the “Craft Beer Capital” moniker, with 36th and Farnam streets labeled “Beer Corner USA.” There are several events and tours centered around breweries in Omaha during different seasons.
The Platte River Valley is Omaha’s version of the Napa Valley for wine connoisseurs, and several vineyards offer tours and tasting rooms. Some highlights are the award-winning Slattery Vintage Estate Vineyard and Soaring Wings Vineyard.
Sports lovers can experience events at The NCAA Men’s College World Series (CWS), and the University of Nebraska Omaha athletic program’s award-winning ice hockey, and collegiate wrestling teams. Head to Lincoln to watch the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Huskers football team compete in the Big Ten conference. You also have options to watch Division 1 basketball and baseball at the University of Nebraska Omaha (UNO) and at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL), which is an hour’s drive away.
Omaha is home to the world-famous Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, which is consistently ranked among the world’s top five zoos. Spend the day exploring over 160 acres of plants, animals, and unique habitats from around the world.
Omaha & the Great Outdoors
Omaha has amazing backwoods and public lands with some of the most breathtaking wilderness in the United States. If you enjoy pastimes in the wild like camping, kayaking, or hiking, there are plenty of places around the Omaha Metro Area to visit.
Waubonsie State Park features camping facilities and cabins, with Mt. Crescent being a top location for skiing and snowboarding during the winter months. Greater Omaha has four dozen golf courses to enjoy during the summer. There’s something for everyone in this amazing city.
Graves Development Resources | Land Developer in Omaha, Nebraska
Graves Development Resources (GDR) has been designing and building the market’s finest neighborhoods since 2000, with over 5,000 homesites and important commercial development projects throughout Douglas and Sarpy Counties.
Our pages showcase current neighborhoods where new home buyers may select from hundreds of home sites. We are definitely “phone friendly” and welcome the opportunity to provide you with all the information you need before making one of the most important decisions for your family’s future. Contact us with any questions.