In the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s annual Nebraska Rural Poll, respondents showed greater confidence in the presidency and lower confidence in several local institutions than in previous years.
The percentage of people expressing “a great deal” of confidence in the president grew more than fourfold, from 4% in 2021 to 17% in 2025.
On the other hand, rural residents in the state expressed less confidence in their local public servants. The percentage of people showing “a great deal” of confidence in public safety institutions dropped from 36% in 2021 to 25% in 2025. Respondents showing “a great deal” of confidence in public schools decreased from 23% in both 2017 and 2021 to 17% this year.
“Nationwide, you’re seeing some pushback on what’s going on in public schools, but I was kind of surprised to see that happening here,” Becky Vogt, the rural poll manager, said. “Those two agencies in the community saw some slight declines in confidence overall,” Vogt said. “They still are the institutions that we see the most confidence that rural Nebraskans have.”
Despite the drops, the poll showed that confidence in many local institutions is still high. Over half of the respondents answered with “quite a lot” or “a great deal” of confidence in public libraries, public safety agencies, voting and election systems, community colleges, public schools and public higher education institutions.
“When you have the more frequent contact with your local institutions, it just allows you to develop that trust and confidence in them,” Vogt said.
The poll also found that older community members were more likely than younger ones to have confidence in governmental institutions, such as safety agencies, local and state government, the court system and national government.
