Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Omaha, Nebraska
State Nebraska
City Omaha
County1 Douglas*
City Population (2005)2 373,215 21.9% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) 44 (of top 50 in U.S.)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 44 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 1
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Lincoln
State Population (2005)2 1,706,976
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Mike Fahey
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.ci.omaha.ne.us/departments/mayor/default.htm
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 402-444-5000
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, May 12, 2009
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Dave Heineman
State/Governor Website http://www.nebraska.gov/index.phtml
State/Governor Contact Information 402-471-2244
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends January 1, 2011
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.21    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 14.5%    
     Disability Status 14.9% 34  
     Emphysema 1.15% 32  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.53% 32  
     Diabetes 4.94% 31  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.57% 65  
     Adult Asthma 7.16% 4  
     Adult Obesity 20.1%   26
     People Without Health Insurance 11.4%   11
     Age: Children under 5 years 7.4% 34  
     Age: 65 years and over 11.3% 45  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 16.0% 17  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 12.6% 57  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 45.7% 30  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 8.0% 35  
     Individuals Below Poverty 13.9% 23  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 15.6% 20  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 50.8% 29  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 12.7% 29  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.7    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 21.9 (of 51) 22  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 13,818,366 pounds   17
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 43,051,152 pounds 25
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 764,642 pounds 13
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 153,582,415 pounds 17
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 150,858,460 pounds 19
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 432.2 grams 46
Number of Superfund Sites in County 1 site 16  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.928 tons per person 16
Recycling Rate (1997) 27.0% 24
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 2,466,972 tons 15
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.4 tons/person 32
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 379,914 tons 37
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 15.4% 34
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.0% 36
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 50.9% 37
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -43.0% 40
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    1.8***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 67,300 tons   18
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 47,100 tons   18
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 23,451,000 tons   14
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 860.0 pounds   18
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 0.0 days 1  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 1.5 PM2.5 29  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 10.7 PM2.5 16  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 0.0 days 1  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 0.3 PM2.5 10  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 10.0 PM2.5 15  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 3 ppm 16  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 44 ug/m3 56  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.002 ppm 8  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 2 days 8  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    2.5***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Big Papillion-Mosquito ---  
# of Units in Watershed 42 units 35  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 14 units 45  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 11 units 22  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 78.6% 38  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 66.7% 57  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 29.86 inches 46  
Water Area Total, square miles 481 square miles 57  
Water Area Inland, square miles 481 square miles 51  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station Omaha ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years 62 years 7  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual 100 days 42  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station Omaha ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years 63 years 7  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) 29.8 inches 21  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 10,500,000,000 gallons/day 24  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 6,440,000,000 gallons/day 4  
Ground water, gallons/day 6,200,000,000 gallons/day 16  
Surface water, gallons/day 4,350,000,000 gallons/day 46  
Irrigation, gallons/day 7,550,000,000 gallons/day 20  
Public Supply, gallons/day 328,000,000 gallons/day 58  
Industrial, gallons/day 175,000,000 gallons/day 54  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 2,350,000,000 gallons/day 42  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 7,020,000,000 gallons/day 16  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Metropolitan Utilities District ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 506,420 people 36  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2003 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 26 contaminants 52  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 37  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 21  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 32  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 13 contaminants 46  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 29  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 11 contaminants 55  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 39  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 9 contaminants 44  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 1 contaminant 33  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 26 contaminants 52  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 4 contaminants 40  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 139 contaminants 23  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 112 contaminants 23  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 27 contaminants 21  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 1 violation 35  
Health Violations 1 violation 54  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 3,370.7 people per square mile 35  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 1,432.4 housing units per square mile 32  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 18.2 minutes 11  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 17.8 minutes 11  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 11.1% 61  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 1.9% 54  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 2.5% 46  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.6% 42  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 99.6 23  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 98.2 MV registrations   45
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 33.7%   15
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 50.1 MV registrations   36
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.28 MV registrations   38
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 93,198 miles   32
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.276%   16
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 6.2%   48
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.07 miles   47
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 55.57 miles   47
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $839,000,000   14
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $9,002 per mile   4
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 45.2%   16
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) 13.0 hours per person 9  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) $211 per person 9  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) $134,000,000 7  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) 7 gallons per person 9  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $40,983 26  
Median Household Income (2000) $40,006 23  
Per capita income (2004) $23,019 29  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $21,756 28  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 11.2% 27  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 11.3% 14  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 13.9% 23  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 3.5% 26  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 15.6% 20  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 16,483 people 27  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.7% 42  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 8.0% 35  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.0% 7  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 4.3% 8  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 47.2% 66  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 46.3% 64  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 66,258 kids (3.9% of total pop.) 45  
Largest School District Enrollment 45,197 kids (2.6% of total pop.) 45  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 50.8% 29  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 54.3% 40  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 87.4% 16  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 29.2% 34  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 16% 17  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Behind the Curve   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade D   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Average   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Poor   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 152,677 units 44  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 38.4% 60  
Cost of Living: Housing 62.2 19  
Cost of Living: Utilities 125.0 55  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 96.4 17  
Cost of Living: Overall 86.0 21  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 64.80%   20
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 43.70%   27
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 60.90%   31
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 42.1%   2
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 6,191.4 incidents per 100,000 people 33  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 642.2 incidents per 100,000 people 23  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 5,549.2 incidents per 100,000 people 38  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 6,756.2 incidents per 100,000 people 38  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    3.6***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile 1.7 parks per square mile 13  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile 69.0 park acres per city square mile 11  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area 10.8% 45  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 2.1% 53  
Total City Urbanized Area % 81.7% 61  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 2.8    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.57% 65
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 7.16% 4
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.05% 30
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.15% 32
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.53% 32
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.94% 31  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 20.1% 26
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 7.6% 15
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 10%-14% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 10.0% 16
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 7.0% 25
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 186.0 14
Cost of Living: Health 98.2 20  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 11.2% 12
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 11.4% 11
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 1.8% 33
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 0.2% 30
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 6 farms 46
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 5 markets 51
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 1 restaurant 28
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 0 grocery stores 54
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 1 other source 45
Cost of Living: Food 91.4 5
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 84.2% 56
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 46.3% 55
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.3***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 1 program   13
Net Metering No Net Metering   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 0 kW   41
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 0 kW   40
Completed Climate Action Plans No State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries Yes   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 3.5%   32
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 49 years 27
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 59% 23
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.5 mph 14
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 10.9 mph 15
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.8 mph 20
Heating Degree Days 6,300 days 47
Cooling Degree Days 1,072 days 32
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) 34 years 45
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) 81% 33
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) 60% 42
Elevation, feet 1,060 feet 57
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 373,215 44 (of 72 in EDN study) 21.9% of state population
City Population (2000) 390,007 44 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 1,706,976 38 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region Midwest ---  
EPA Region 7 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 116.0 square miles 38 0.6% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 76,878 square miles 15  
Watershed Name Big Papillion-Mosquito ---  
Elevation, feet 1,060 ft. (322.4 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 21.7°F (-5.7°C) 63
Average Daily Temperature - July 76.7°F (24.8°C) 37  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 34.7 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 74.8% 29  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 11.3% 26  
Under 5 years of age 27,370 kids (7.4% of total pop.) 41  
One Race-White % (2005) 77.4% 17  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 22.6% 56  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 10.6% 35  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 12.7% 44  
Largest School District Name Omaha Public Schools ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network