About the Omaha, Nebraska Area
Location
Omaha, Nebraska's largest population center, is located on the western bank of the Missouri River, which serves as the Nebraska-Iowa boundary.
History
The city of Omaha was established in 1854. The name "Omaha", according to Indian legend, literally means "above all others upon a stream". The new city grew rapidly after 1863 when President Lincoln located the eastern terminus of the first transcontinental railroad in Omaha.
Climate
Omaha has a typically continental climate with relatively warm summers and cold dry winters. Most precipitation occurs from April through September in the form of showers or thunderstorms in the evening hours.
| • | Average Annual Rainfall - 29.9 inches
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| • | Average Annual Snowfall - 29.9 inches
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| • | Elevation - 977 feet above sea level |
Population
Metro Omaha encompasses five counties - Cass, Douglas, Sarpy and Washington Counties in Nebraska and Pottawattamie County in Iowa.
The metro Omaha area comprises 2,467 square miles.
The five-county metro Omaha area has a population of 693,900. The Omaha metro area is the 61st largest metropolitan statistical area (MSA) in the country.
The city of Omaha, located in Douglas County, has a population of 367,379 and ranks as the nation's 45th largest city.
Over one million people live within a 50-mile radius of Omaha.
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| Old Market District | |
Economy
The number of jobs in the metro Omaha area averaged over 415,000 in 1999. From 1990 through 1999, the Omaha metro area added over 84,900 jobs, an increase of over 25%.
A well-diversified economy has kept the area's annual unemployment rate well under the nation's throughout the past decade.
Transportation
Omaha's Eppley Airfield is served by twelve major and three regional air carriers. These carriers provide over 180 flights daily.
Taxes
No sales tax on food sold in grocery stores or on prescription drugs.
No state property tax.
Local real estate taxes are based on 100 percent of valuation with levels ranging from $1.36606 to $2.18456 per $100 of assessed value, depending on the location of the property.
Automobiles, campers, trailers and boats are subject to personal property tax in Nebraska.
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Cost of Living
Omaha's cost of living is approximately 6% below the U.S. average.
The median cost of housing in Omaha is $110,000 compared to the U.S. median of $141,000.
Culture
Omaha is home to the nation's third largest children's theater - the Omaha Theater Company for Young People.
The Omaha Community Playhouse is the largest community theater in the nation.
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| The Henry Doorly Zoo | |
Recreation and Sports
The Henry Doorly Zoo is home to a world-class aquarium, an enclosed rain forest and IMAX theater. The Lied Jungle has been ranked as the best U.S. zoo exhibit in "The Zoo Book". The zoo's new Wildlife Safari Park near Ashland opened in 1998.
The City of Omaha has 8,000 acres of parkland in 247 parks.
A total of 45 public and private golf courses.
Eight state parks within 50-mile radius of Omaha.
Omaha is a Great City!
Just Listen to what others have to say:
Omaha Ranked...
*Among the "Top 20 Best Places to Raise a Family" -TODAY.msnbc - 2008
*First in "Best Cities for Relocating Families" -Primacy Relocation & Worldwide ERC - 2008
*Second as "Best Bargain Markets in 2008" - MSN Reak Estate 2008
*Third among the "Top 10 Best Cities in 2008" -Kiplinger's Personal Finance - 2008
*Eight among the "Best Cities for Jobs in 2008" -Forbes - 2008
*11th for the "Best Public Schools" -Expansion Management - 2007
Omaha Job Market
*Nebraska ranks second in the alternative energy industy for both employment and number of new branches- BizMiner - 2008
*Omaha ranked third among the "Best States for Jobs" -Careerbuilder.com - 2008
*Omaha ranked third among the "Best States for Jobs in 2008" -Forbes - 2008
*Nebraska ranked eight among the "Best Cities for Jobs in 2008" -Forbes - 2008
*Nebraska is ranked tenth among the "Best States for Business" -Forbes - 2008
*Omaha ranked as the 34th "Best Place for Business and Careers" -Forbes - 2008
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