Community pride is strong in rural Nebraska, poll shows
Lincoln, Nebraska, Sept. 11, 2026 — Most rural Nebraskans continue to think positively about their communities, according to the 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll.
Many respondents to the poll — conducted annually by Rural Prosperity Nebraska with funding from Nebraska Extension — say it would be difficult to leave and most have a positive attachment to where they live, saying they have a good bond with others and feel a sense of connectedness and belonging.
In addition, rural Nebraskans are generally positive about recent changes in their communities as well as the future. This year, more respondents believe their community has changed for the better (31%) than for the worse (26%), similar to the past two years. However, when asked what they expect 10 years from now, 25% believe their community will be a worse place to live, compared to 22% who believe it will be better and 53% who think it will be about the same.
“Nebraska communities have a valuable foundation: people who care about where they live and feel connected to,” said Mary Emery, director of Rural Prosperity Nebraska. “Understanding that foundation is important for communities as they think about their future. While there’s some uncertainty about what the future will bring, there’s also a great deal of optimism and attachment. The choices communities make today can help shape whether that sense of belonging continues to be a defining part of rural Nebraska.”
Most rural Nebraskans surveyed have a positive attachment to their community, said Becky Vogt, poll manager. Most agree that they have a good bond with others in their community (65%), they belong there (62%), they can get what they need there (61%), they feel like a member of their community (61%), people there are good at influencing each other (56%), they feel connected to where they live (54%) and the community helps them fulfill their needs (53%).
Residents’ feelings and attachment to their communities were also related to community size. Respondents living in or near larger communities, over 5,000 residents, are more likely to say their community has changed for the better during the past year. However, those living in or near smaller communities (under 1,000 residents) are more likely to say they feel connected to where they live.
Most rural Nebraskans surveyed see their communities as capable of defining their future. Sixty-three percent strongly disagree or disagree that their community is powerless to control its own future. In addition, half of respondents say it would be difficult to leave their community, while 36% indicate it would be easy to leave.
“Clearly rural Nebraskans have a strong sense of identity and belonging to their communities,” said L.J. McElravy, associate professor of agricultural leadership, education and communication at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “These residents aren’t simply living in these communities — many feel they’re part of them and that they have a role in shaping what happens next. That sense of connection, combined with the belief that they have a say in their community’s future, speaks to the commitment people have to the places they call home.”
Except for some services that are largely unavailable in rural communities — such as retail shopping, entertainment and recycling — rural Nebraskans are generally satisfied with basic community services and amenities. They report being either “very satisfied” or “somewhat satisfied” with fire protection (87%), parks and recreation (77%), library services (75%), cellphone service (73%), internet service (73%), law enforcement (69%), religious organizations (65%), medical care services (64%) and sewage/waste disposal (63%).
“These results show an encouraging picture of the quality of life in rural Nebraska,” Vogt said. “When residents are satisfied with the services they use every day, it suggests that many rural communities are providing a strong foundation of living. Of course, there are areas where rural communities face challenges, but the services and amenities that are available are making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
The “Community” report and its implications for rural Nebraska will be highlighted during a Rural Poll webinar at noon CDT Sept. 16. Register here. The full report can be found on the Nebraska Rural Poll website.
The 2026 Nebraska Rural Poll marks the 31st year of tracking rural Nebraskans’ perceptions about policy and quality of life. It is the largest and longest-running poll of its kind. This April and May, questionnaires were mailed to nearly 6,900 Nebraska households, with 881 households from 86 of the state’s 93 counties responding. The poll carries a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3%. Current and past reports are available at https://ruralpoll.unl.edu.