A city of over 23,000, Norfolk is the economic growth center for an area encompassing six counties. The economy is comprised of activity in agriculture, manufacturing, and services including retail and wholesale trade, education, and health care. Norfolk is the major retail trade center for northeast Nebraska.

Norfolk offers: over thirty churches, Norfolk Arts Center, Norfolk Public Library, Elkhorn Valley Historical Society/Museum, Faith Regional Health Services, Norfolk Regional Center, Senior Citizen's Center, nursing homes/Veteran's Home, units for low cost/handicapped/retirement living, Norfolk Area Concert Association, Norfolk Family YMCA, Norfolk Community Theater, National Veteran's Hall of Honor, a variety of service clubs, and 387 acres of parks/recreational areas. Other activities available include archery, boating, bowling, fishing, golf, hiking, hunting, martial arts, movies, skating, stock car racing, swimming, tennis, and biking/walking/hiking (Cowboy Trail).

In addition to the public school system, Norfolk offers six parochial schools, Northeast Community College (home of the Distance Learning Center), and Nebraska Christian College. Wayne State College (30 miles away) confers undergraduate and graduate degrees.