Abstract
Nebraska is often referred to as “the good life” by state residents. In 2022, Nebraska was comprised of over 800,000 family households and had a population nearing two million. Nebraska is the only state in the U.S. with a unicameral legislature and is comprised of both rural and urban contexts over a diverse geography. Like other states, in the past decade, there have been changes in the demographic makeup of the population, due in part to immigration, an aging population, and out migration. Given this context, we focus our review of Nebraska families on state priorities identified in a Nebraska Cooperative Extension needs assessment that include attracting and retaining a skilled workforce, and enhancing economic vitality, health, and wellbeing. We describe the state geography, demographics, and government contexts. We then describe where current policy programming, and resources stand in addressing relevant family-focused needs and issues of the key working age population. We end with recommendations focused on the strengths of Nebraska, given its relatively small population and community-oriented nature that can be leveraged to support innovations in policies and programs to create a healthy environment for families, that ultimately enhance the economic vitality of the state.
