This is the time of year that many people start thinking more about their fellow humans and how to help those less fortunate. For some, though, that giving spirit is part of daily life all year round. The Chronicle of Philanthropy compiles data from counties all across the country to determine how much of their income the average person gives to charity in a given year. They take into account the differences in cost of living from one place to the next, measuring the donation amounts against the income that people have left over after covering basic living expenses. These are the 12 counties in Nebraska that gave the largest percentage of their money to charity in 2012, the most recent year analyzed by The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
- Hitchcock County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus The median contribution in Hitchcock County was $4,817, which represents a giving ratio of 3.95%.
- Phelps County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus The residents of Phelps County give an average of $4,764 during the year, which is a giving ratio of 3.99%.
- Hayes County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus Coming in just slightly above Phelps’ annual average, Hayes County residents gave a median contribution of $5,560 in 2012. The giving ratio for Hayes County was 3.99%.
- Dodge County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus Dodge County residents donated a median amount of $3,064 which, when weighted against their adjusted gross income, equaled a giving ratio of 4.25%.
- Douglas County
Wikimedia/Collinulness The most populous county in the state came out with a giving ratio of 4.29% after a median contribution amount of $2,999.
- Thomas County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus From their median income of $78,740, Thomas County residents donated $4,450. Their giving ratio for 2012 was 4.52%.
- Holt County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus Holt County residents gave a median donation of $4,366 in 2012 from their median income of $69,493, resulting in a giving ratio of 4.53%
- Custer County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus In Custer County, the median contribution amount for 2012 was $5,525, making the county’s giving ratio for the year 4.55%.
- York County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus York County residents boast a giving ratio of 4.74% after giving up a median charitable contribution amount of $4,951 in 2012.
- Garfield County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus The median adjusted gross income in Garfield county is $83,694, $4,250 of which went to charitable contributions in 2012. The county’s giving ratio was 5.21%.
- Garden County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus This Panhandle county has a median adjusted gross income of $55,750 and a median charitable contribution of $3,688. That translates into a giving ratio of 5.42%.
- Perkins County
Wikimedia/Ammodramus Coming in as the most generous county in the state, Perkins county residents boast a giving ratio of 5.43% after giving up a median contribution of $6,008 in 2012.
There are some limitations to the Chronicle’s data measurements: the data was collected from tax returns on which residents itemized their deductions, which means that those who don’t itemize aren’t represented here. Still, their report gives an enlightening glimpse at how much of their income Nebraskans are willing to donate to good causes. Want more information? You can find the How America Gives data, including their methodology, at The Chronicle of Philanthropy.
Wikimedia/Ammodramus
The median contribution in Hitchcock County was $4,817, which represents a giving ratio of 3.95%.
The residents of Phelps County give an average of $4,764 during the year, which is a giving ratio of 3.99%.
Coming in just slightly above Phelps’ annual average, Hayes County residents gave a median contribution of $5,560 in 2012. The giving ratio for Hayes County was 3.99%.
Dodge County residents donated a median amount of $3,064 which, when weighted against their adjusted gross income, equaled a giving ratio of 4.25%.
Wikimedia/Collinulness
The most populous county in the state came out with a giving ratio of 4.29% after a median contribution amount of $2,999.
From their median income of $78,740, Thomas County residents donated $4,450. Their giving ratio for 2012 was 4.52%.
Holt County residents gave a median donation of $4,366 in 2012 from their median income of $69,493, resulting in a giving ratio of 4.53%
In Custer County, the median contribution amount for 2012 was $5,525, making the county’s giving ratio for the year 4.55%.
York County residents boast a giving ratio of 4.74% after giving up a median charitable contribution amount of $4,951 in 2012.
The median adjusted gross income in Garfield county is $83,694, $4,250 of which went to charitable contributions in 2012. The county’s giving ratio was 5.21%.
This Panhandle county has a median adjusted gross income of $55,750 and a median charitable contribution of $3,688. That translates into a giving ratio of 5.42%.
Coming in as the most generous county in the state, Perkins county residents boast a giving ratio of 5.43% after giving up a median contribution of $6,008 in 2012.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
