Editorial

Nebraskans have it good in many ways

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

When the wind whips snowflakes across the lonely, frozen prairie, it's hard to remember just how good Nebraskans have it.

No, we don't have the spectacular mountains or balmy weather -- or the high salaries demanded by workers in more popular areas, but we are doing well with what we have.

According to U.S. Census American Community Survey data released Tuesday, we may make less, but we enjoy a lower cost of living, are more likely to have our mortgages paid off and enjoy lower rent than the rest of the nation.

Nebraska's median household income of $48,000 is below the national average of nearly $51,500, but about 36 percent of us have our homes paid for, compared to 32 percent nationally. If you rent your home in Nebraska, you're most likely to pay the average of $632 a month, compared to $817 per month nationally.

Does that mean we should be content with the state of the Nebraska economy and leave it at that? No, everything must be done to encourage the creation of new industries and encouragment of existing ones and the jobs they create.

Trying just to preserve the status quo guarantees a slow, steady decline, especially in this time of recession.

But it does mean we shouldn't necessarily envy our big-city friends and relatives -- with modern transportation and communications, we're at a smaller disadvantage when it comes to business and entertainment opportunities.

And, if we prefer wide-open spaces, outdoor recreation and small-town way of life, it's hard not to brag about it.

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