A new poll indicates that confidence levels among rural Nebraskans in their local and national institutions have seen some changes. While trust in public safety agencies and K-12 schools has decreased from previous years, confidence in the presidency and executive branch has risen. This data comes from the 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll, a long-running survey tracking perceptions across the state.
Key Takeaways
- Confidence in local public safety and K-12 schools decreased.
- Confidence in the executive branch increased since 2021.
- Most rural Nebraskans still trust institutions closest to them.
- Confidence varies by region and age group.
Rural Trust in Local Institutions
The 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll reveals that while some shifts occurred, rural Nebraskans still hold significant trust in institutions directly affecting their daily lives. Over half of those surveyed expressed confidence in several key local services. This includes public libraries, community colleges, and local election systems.
Specifically, 68% of respondents reported quite a lot or a great deal of confidence in their community’s public safety agencies. Public libraries also received 68% confidence. Community colleges were trusted by 62% of rural Nebraskans. County voting and election systems saw 58% confidence, while public K-12 schools had 56%.
Fact: Longest-Running Poll
The 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll marks its 30th year. It is the largest and longest-running survey of its kind, collecting data on rural Nebraskans' views on policy and quality of life.
Changes in Confidence Levels
Despite overall high trust in some local areas, the poll noted decreases in strong confidence for certain institutions. Confidence in public safety agencies dropped from 36% in 2021 to 25% this year. Similarly, strong confidence in public K-12 schools declined from 23% in both 2017 and 2021 to 17% this year.
Conversely, confidence in the presidency and executive branch showed an increase. The proportion of respondents with a great deal of confidence in the executive branch rose from 11% in 2017 and 4% in 2021 to 17% in the current survey. Another 21% stated they have quite a lot of confidence in this branch, up from 10% in 2021.
“These shifts in confidence tell us people are watching national politics closely,” said Becky Vogt, survey manager for the poll. “But they also highlight the importance of strengthening the institutions that directly impact their daily lives at home in their rural communities.”
National Institutions See Lower Trust
The survey also captured confidence levels in national institutions. Rural Nebraskans reported low confidence in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, both at 42%. National voting and election systems garnered even less trust, with only 33% expressing confidence.
Poll Methodology
This summer, questionnaires were sent to over 6,700 Nebraska households. A total of 943 households from 86 out of the state's 93 counties responded. The poll has a margin of error of plus-or-minus 3%.
Regional and Generational Differences
Confidence levels are not uniform across Nebraska or among different age groups. The poll found notable variations, suggesting a complex picture of trust within rural communities.
For example, respondents in the Panhandle region showed less confidence in the governor and state executive branch. Only 13% reported confidence, while 40% expressed very little confidence. This contrasts with other regions where at least 25% of residents reported confidence in these state-level institutions.
Age Plays a Role
Age also emerged as a significant factor. Older rural Nebraskans, particularly those 65 and above, were more likely to express confidence in many institutions. Nearly 80% of respondents aged 65 and older had a lot or a great deal of confidence in local public safety agencies. This is a stark difference compared to only half of those aged 19 to 29.
“We’re seeing that confidence isn’t evenly spread across rural Nebraska — by geography or generation,” said Cheryl Burkhart-Kriesel, a Rural Prosperity Nebraska extension specialist. “These differences imply that building trust is a multi-faceted effort — it must address regional perspectives and generational priorities.”
According to L.J. McElravy, an associate professor and poll team member, the data highlights a disconnect. “While trust is decreasing, the data show that rural Nebraskans continue to place the most trust in the institutions closest to their daily lives — their schools, their libraries, their local safety agencies,” McElravy noted. “At the same time, the low levels of confidence in national institutions highlight a disconnect between rural communities and federal leadership.”
Upcoming Discussion and Further Information
The findings from the “Confidence in Institutions” report will be discussed in an upcoming webinar. The event is scheduled for noon on September 25. L.J. McElravy will lead the discussion, joined by guests from Civic Nebraska.
The 2025 Nebraska Rural Poll was conducted by Rural Prosperity Nebraska. Funding for the poll comes from Nebraska Extension. All current and past reports are available online for public access.
