Youth Survey shows most prefer to return home — when they can

For the past five years, Nebraska’s Youth Survey has made one thing clear: young people in our state have a strong preference for rural communities. This might surprise outsiders, but to those of us in small towns like McCook, it’s no revelation at all. We’ve always known that the qualities that define small-town life — safety, close-knit relationships, and a deep sense of belonging — are exactly what people crave.

According to Youth Survey data from over 4,000 students across Greater Nebraska, more than 55% of youth consistently say their ideal place to live is a small town “like my hometown.” These are not fleeting preferences. From Haigler to Norfolk, the desire for rural life has grown year over year, solidifying the importance of small communities to the future of our state.

But it’s not enough to sit back and celebrate these findings. Local leaders, policymakers, and community organizations need to take this data to heart and work to make rural living a long-term reality for young Nebraskans.

One key finding from the survey is that safety tops the list of priorities for young people when choosing where to live. Small towns like McCook already offer a sense of security that urban areas often cannot match, but we must ensure we maintain that advantage. Investing in community policing, safe public spaces, and infrastructure that supports families is essential.

Good schools also rank highly, which makes sense — young people value education and want to raise their own families in places where they know their children will thrive. But this presents a challenge for rural areas. Small-town schools must continue to innovate and provide modern, well-rounded education that meets the expectations of the next generation. This means not just maintaining but improving local school systems to keep pace with educational standards in larger cities.

Moreover, Nebraska youth have made it clear they want to stay connected to their families and the communities they grew up in. With 59% indicating they are likely to stay in their current area as adults, the onus is on local leaders to make sure they can. This means creating career opportunities in small towns, expanding access to high-speed Internet, and making housing more affordable. It also means investing in amenities—such as recreational facilities, dining options, and cultural events—that make rural living enjoyable for all ages.

A concerning statistic, though, is that only 34% of students feel they play a role in their community. This presents both a challenge and an opportunity. Communities that want to thrive need to actively involve young people in decision-making processes, providing them with leadership opportunities and a genuine sense of ownership. This not only strengthens the community today but also ensures that young people feel a lasting connection to their hometown.

The Nebraska Youth Survey paints an encouraging picture of what rural communities mean to the next generation, but the time for action is now. Rural Nebraska has enormous potential to retain its youth, grow its population, and thrive economically—but only if local leaders take decisive steps to address the needs and aspirations of the young people who will shape its future.

Our small towns are full of promise. Now it’s up to us to make sure that promise is fulfilled by investing in the things that matter most — safety, education, economic opportunity, and community involvement. The data is clear: Nebraska’s youth want to live in places like McCook. Let’s make sure they can.