Lincoln Economic Index
Data-Driven Analysis for Nebraska's Capital
Lincoln's Economy Shows Resilience as National Unemployment Rises
Local unemployment holds steady at 2.8% while national rate climbs to 4.6%, highlighting Lincoln's increasingly divergent economic strength
Unemployment Trends: Lincoln vs. National
Lincoln maintains consistently lower unemployment despite national uptick (data through November 2025)
Lincoln's unemployment rate has remained stable at 2.8% while the national rate climbed from 4.2% to 4.6% between April and November 2025. This 1.8 percentage point gap demonstrates exceptional resilience in Lincoln's labor market.
Employment Growth by Sector
Lincoln vs. Nebraska year-over-year change (July 2024 to July 2025)
Lincoln Outpaces State Growth
Total nonfarm employment comparison
Lincoln's 2.1% employment growth significantly exceeds Nebraska's near-flat 0.04% statewide growth, suggesting the capital city is driving a disproportionate share of the state's economic expansion. This divergence indicates Lincoln's economy is more dynamic than the broader state picture.
Leading Growth Sectors
Percentage change, year-over-year
Declining Sectors
Percentage change, year-over-year
Employment by Industry Sector
Current composition of Lincoln's workforce (July 2025)
| Sector | Employment (000s) | YoY Change | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government | 41.1 | +1,000 | +2.5% |
| Education & Health Services | 35.0 | +2,500 | +7.7% |
| Trade, Transportation & Utilities | 32.3 | -200 | -0.6% |
| Leisure & Hospitality | 20.8 | +1,500 | +7.8% |
| Professional & Business Services | 20.2 | -700 | -3.3% |
| Manufacturing | 14.4 | -700 | -4.6% |
| Mining, Logging & Construction | 11.7 | +600 | +5.4% |
| Financial Activities | 10.4 | -200 | -1.9% |
| Other Services | 8.5 | +100 | +1.2% |
| Information | 3.9 | +100 | +2.6% |
Lincoln vs. National: Comparative Analysis
Key economic indicators compared to national benchmarks
Lincoln's economy demonstrates exceptional sector-specific resilience with 2.1% employment growth substantially outpacing Nebraska's near-stagnant 0.04% state growth. Strong gains in education, health services, and hospitality offset contractions in manufacturing and professional services. The local unemployment rate of 2.8% significantly outperforms both state and national averages, suggesting a tight labor market that could pressure wages upward in competitive sectors. Construction and government employment gains signal infrastructure investment and public sector stability. Lincoln is clearly driving Nebraska's economic momentum as the state's most dynamic employment center heading into 2026.