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Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026

As of 2026, Nebraska has a total population of 1,965,926, with a median household income of $74,985, which is 5% lower the national average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.

Nebraska Quick Facts

Population 1,965,926
Median Household Income $74,985
Median Home Value $223,800
Poverty Rate 10.3%
Unemployment Rate 3.0%
Median Age 37.1 years
Homeownership Rate 66.5%
Affordability Ratio 3.0x
Bachelor's Degree+ 34.1%
High School Graduation 92.1%
Counties 93
Cities/Places 584
Population 1,965,926
Median Income $74,985 5% lower national
Poverty Rate 10.3%
Unemployment 3.0%

Economy & Housing

Employment

3.0% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0% | National: 5.2%
68.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 66.5%
Renter 33.5%
Affordability Index Affordable
3.0x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

40out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 60

Education

Largest Cities in Nebraska

#CityPopulationMedian IncomePoverty
1Omaha city488,197$72,70812.8%
2Lincoln city291,932$69,99112.6%
3Bellevue city64,355$87,3437.6%
4Grand Island city52,761$62,43912.5%
5Kearney city34,024$69,79013.9%
6Fremont city27,321$67,1799.5%
7Norfolk city25,962$62,17512.7%
8Hastings city25,005$61,20214.8%
9Columbus city24,188$67,2129.7%
10Papillion city24,063$109,6024.2%

Richest Cities in Nebraska

#CityMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+
1Buccaneer Bay CDP$140,517$316,00034.7%
2Beaver Lake CDP$136,364$384,50043.7%
3Gretna city$118,765$326,00053.1%
4Waverly city$110,000$290,00035.6%
5Papillion city$109,602$290,90048.1%
6Valley city$106,750$515,10050.1%
7Hickman city$104,219$294,20044.9%
8Ceresco village$103,906$186,30029.0%
9Bennet village$100,417$252,40043.0%
10Bennington city$98,375$337,60041.8%

Most Affordable Cities in Nebraska

By home-value-to-income ratio (lower = more affordable). Min. population 1,000.

#CityRatioHome ValueIncome
1Wymore city1.0x$57,600$56,051
2Superior city1.1x$69,300$61,852
3Harvard city1.5x$98,400$67,813
4Arapahoe city1.5x$95,000$63,173
5Plainview city1.5x$86,900$56,100
6Gordon city1.6x$93,300$58,906
7Schuyler city1.7x$129,600$78,380
8Auburn city1.7x$98,900$58,674
9Bridgeport city1.7x$100,600$59,643
10Wood River city1.7x$131,400$76,591

Explore Nebraska Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

All Counties in Nebraska (93)

93 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Douglas County585,461$79,08111.3%$245,800
Lancaster County323,673$72,62511.7%$258,900
Sarpy County194,051$101,4025.2%$287,600
Hall County62,431$67,54911.8%$207,900
Buffalo County50,323$74,57011.0%$236,800
Dodge County37,146$71,2949.3%$188,100
Scotts Bluff County35,937$60,96013.9%$161,400
Madison County35,535$64,63711.8%$196,000
Platte County34,358$72,3358.7%$207,800
Lincoln County34,122$64,34212.8%$183,100
Adams County31,034$65,68012.8%$185,800
Cass County26,963$88,2554.9%$247,200
Dawson County24,020$65,38312.3%$157,800
Saunders County22,761$89,3956.4%$241,100
Gage County21,646$64,42613.2%$167,100
Dakota County21,331$71,65511.2%$168,100
Washington County20,989$90,1886.9%$278,300
Seward County17,636$81,1226.9%$232,400
Otoe County16,075$81,4309.5%$185,000
Saline County14,642$77,0279.5%$180,700
York County14,231$74,0589.0%$175,900
Box Butte County10,754$68,77810.0%$161,100
Red Willow County10,611$60,00014.1%$143,500
Custer County10,544$66,3108.6%$160,500
Colfax County10,541$79,7208.7%$128,800
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All Cities & Places in Nebraska (584)

584 results
City ↕Population ↓Median Income ↕Poverty ↕Home Value ↕
Omaha city488,197$72,70812.8%$230,100
Lincoln city291,932$69,99112.6%$248,200
Bellevue city64,355$87,3437.6%$230,800
Grand Island city52,761$62,43912.5%$202,600
Kearney city34,024$69,79013.9%$235,800
Fremont city27,321$67,1799.5%$194,400
Norfolk city25,962$62,17512.7%$199,100
Hastings city25,005$61,20214.8%$177,200
Columbus city24,188$67,2129.7%$198,900
Papillion city24,063$109,6024.2%$290,900
North Platte city23,030$57,80516.1%$159,500
La Vista city16,594$78,1455.6%$244,900
Scottsbluff city14,406$53,44817.2%$141,300
South Sioux City city13,871$68,39710.9%$160,900
Beatrice city12,233$54,58319.9%$152,900
Lexington city10,693$62,36416.5%$155,200
Chalco CDP10,625$81,4275.6%$224,400
Gretna city9,117$118,7653.5%$326,000
Gering city8,567$70,24412.8%$170,700
York city8,114$62,63210.8%$170,900
Alliance city8,089$65,59911.3%$156,300
Blair city7,868$76,2929.7%$211,000
Seward city7,665$70,0007.8%$232,500
Crete city7,521$76,25812.3%$203,900
McCook city7,360$51,81516.4%$137,400
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Download Nebraska Data

Free CSV downloads of Nebraska demographic data — no account or payment required.

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Cities Data (CSV) All cities: population, income, housing, race, education
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Counties Data (CSV) All counties: population, income, housing, race, education

Population Overview

Nebraska has a total population of 1,965,926, making it a smaller state in the nation. The median age is 37.1 years, 4% lower the national median of 38.7 years.

Age Demographics

The median age in Nebraska is 37.1 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.7 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Nebraska is $74,985. This is 5% lower than the state median of $78,538. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 5% lower. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.4%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 5.2%. The median home value is $223,800. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $303,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 66.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 65.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Nebraska is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 12.3%. The Black or African American population (4.6%) is well below the state average of 12.0%. The Asian population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 5.8%.

Education

34.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 35.0%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Nebraska?

Nebraska has a total population of 1,965,926 according to the U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median income in Nebraska?

The median household income in Nebraska is $74,985, which is 5% lower the national median of $78,538.

How many cities are in Nebraska?

Nebraska has 584 Census-designated places (cities, towns, and CDPs) and 93 counties.

What is the poverty rate in Nebraska?

The poverty rate in Nebraska is 10.3%, compared to the national average of 12.4%.

What is the largest city in Nebraska?

The largest city in Nebraska is Omaha city with a population of 488,197.