Russell Shaffer, June 12, 2025
New website connects communities with data, tools to thrive
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln has launched All Things Nebraska, an informatics website containing reliable, up-to-date data about communities across the state. Developed in collaboration with the Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems at the University of Missouri, the mapping tool includes more than 30,000 data layers relevant to Nebraska, its communities and counties.
“All Things Nebraska gives users an easy way to access, analyze and visualize data,” said Katie Larson, an associate Extension educator with Nebraska Extension and the website’s lead developer. “We anticipate policymakers using this site to help them make informed decisions. But regardless of the visitor’s role, it’s a one-stop shop when needing to find a data-driven answer to a question about our state.”
The platform is designed to be accessible to a wide range of users, including business leaders, nonprofit organizations, government officials, researchers and Nebraska Extension professionals. A key feature is the Nebraska County Report Card, an assessment tool that displays state and national benchmarks for quick comparisons and provides intuitive, easy-to-understand data visualizations. Extension professionals can use All Things Nebraska data and features to prioritize programming needs and measure their impact.
In addition, the Nebraska Rural Poll Interactive Report ties together data from All Things Nebraska with nearly 30 years of information from the annual survey, showcasing the views and opinions of rural Nebraskans about issues such as well-being, civil discourse, artificial intelligence, housing, economy and trade, and communities.
“All Things Nebraska is more than just a collection of data,” Larson said. “It’s a comprehensive database resource to help Nebraskans understand community needs, allocate resources effectively and make data-informed decisions.”
Whether planning a community development project, seeking funding opportunities or conducting research, users will find the tools they need to succeed. All Things Nebraska aims to support vibrant and thriving communities across the state by making data more accessible and actionable.
To schedule a training session customized to a team, organization or community, contact Katie Larson at katelyn.pleskac@unl.edu.
To explore the platform, click here.
