Childcare costs in Dakota County, NE
$12,675 a year for center-based infant care - 19.2% of the local median income, against a national average of $9,592.
Dakota County, NE families pay $12,675/year for center-based infant care, while family childcare is $7,800/year, according to the U.S. Department of Labor National Database of Childcare Prices. This represents 19.2% of the median household income - exceeding the HHS 7% affordability threshold. Toddler care at a center costs $11,759/year, and preschool-age care is $10,660/year.
Dakota County vs. the nation
According to PlainChildcare's center-based infant-care ranking (DOL NDCP priced counties), Dakota County, NE ranks #2,267 of 2,662 U.S. counties by annual center infant price (cheapest = #1). Center-based infant care costs $12,675 a year in Dakota County, NE, coming in 32% above the nationwide average of $9,592 - cheaper than 15% of the 2,662 U.S. counties we track, and that bill eats 19.2% of the local median income against the 7% the federal government calls affordable.
- Infant care (center)
- $12,675/yr
- Vs. national avg
- +32%
- Corpus placement
- #2,267 of 2,662
- Share of income
- 19.2%
Source: DOL National Database of Childcare Prices (2022). Median income: U.S. Census ACS 5-year.
- $12,675
- Center Infant/yr
- $7,800
- Family Infant/yr
- $66,112
- Median Income
- 19.2%
- % of Income (Infant)
Annual Childcare Costs by Age Group
| Age Group | Center-Based | Family Childcare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $12,675 | $7,800 |
| Toddler | $11,759 | $7,800 |
| Preschool | $10,660 | $7,800 |
| School Age | $9,208 | $7,800 |
Cost Comparison (Center-Based)
Where Dakota County ranks on infant-care cost
Center-based infant care, every U.S. county with reported prices
$12,675 more affordable than 15% of 2,662 US counties
Each bar is a $2.5K-wide band; taller bars hold more US counties. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.
Source U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices · 2022
Full NDCP Care Ladder in Dakota County
This county reports every age×setting cell in the DOL NDCP survey. That lets us compare the center premium over family care at each age, and how steeply costs fall from infant to school-age.
| Age | Center | Family | Center premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | $12,675 | $7,800 | +$4,875 (+62.5%) |
| Toddler | $11,759 | $7,800 | +$3,959 (+50.8%) |
| Preschool | $10,660 | $7,800 | +$2,860 (+36.7%) |
| School Age | $9,208 | $7,800 | +$1,408 (+18.1%) |
Across all four ages, a center path totals $44,302/year versus $31,200/year for family care ($13,102 more at a center). Infant center care runs 1.38× school-age center care here. Among the 93Nebraska counties with a complete NDCP ladder, Dakota County ranks #90 by infant center price (1 = cheapest).
What These Numbers Mean for Dakota County Families
Weighed against a $66,112 median household income, Dakota County's childcare bill tells an affordability story, putting infant center care at 19.2% of gross income. The HHS benchmark is 7%, meaning the typical family here exceeds the federal affordability line by 12.2 points.Between 15-20% of income, Dakota County sits in a high-burden tier where most working families need subsidy help or split shifts to cover care.
For how to vet a licensed provider (inspection reports, QRIS ratings, CCDF subsidy intake), see Choosing Quality Childcare. Rate methodology: how these numbers are computed.
Historical Price Trends (2008–2022)
The NDCP has tracked center-based infant care here for 7 years, from 2016 through 2022.
View full data table (all care types) ▼
| Year | Ctr Infant |
|---|---|
| 2008 | N/A |
| 2009 | N/A |
| 2010 | N/A |
| 2011 | N/A |
| 2012 | N/A |
| 2013 | N/A |
| 2014 | N/A |
| 2015 | N/A |
| 2016 | $8,541 |
| 2017 | $9,464 |
| 2018 | $10,387 |
| 2019 | $11,310 |
| 2020 | $11,765 |
| 2021 | $12,220 |
| 2022 | $12,675 |
What this means for Dakota County families
Infant center care here takes 19.2% of the typical household income - above the HHS 7% affordability line.
- At 19.2% of income, infant care exceeds the federal 7% affordability benchmark. Check whether your family qualifies for a CCDF subsidy, which can cap copayments at a sliding share of income. Check subsidy eligibility
- Family childcare homes run $7,800/year for infants, about $4,875 less than a center. Weigh the trade-offs of each setting. Center vs. home care
- See how Dakota County compares against the cheapest counties in Nebraska. Cheapest in Nebraska
NDCP figures are county-level survey medians for 2022, confirm current tuition and openings directly with providers and your state CCR&R agency.