Broken Bow, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Broken Bow, Nebraska had a total population of 3,502, the 43rd largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $60,129, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
Broken Bow Quick Facts
How Broken Bow Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,524 | 3,502 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $56,438 | $60,129 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $124,600 | $133,200 | +6.9% |
How Broken Bow Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Broken Bow Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Custer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arnold | 945 | $64,688 | 8.0% | $146,700 |
| Ansley | 563 | $64,688 | 5.9% | $89,800 |
| Callaway | 562 | $51,146 | 8.7% | $149,100 |
| Sargent | 534 | $54,423 | 10.7% | $57,900 |
| Merna | 383 | $61,875 | 19.7% | $100,000 |
| Mason City | 189 | $64,375 | 11.1% | N/A |
| Oconto | 167 | $55,625 | 6.0% | $60,000 |
| Anselmo | 93 | $60,673 | 10.8% | $72,500 |
| Comstock | 80 | $47,500 | 3.8% | $80,800 |
| Berwyn | 51 | $46,250 | 9.8% | $75,000 |
Cities Similar to Broken Bow
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 3,470 | $57,531 | $98,800 | 24.3% | 14.1% |
| O'Neill | 3,570 | $56,510 | $153,300 | 22.7% | 18.5% |
| West Point | 3,471 | $65,793 | $202,200 | 20.8% | 7.4% |
| Gothenburg | 3,452 | $79,219 | $191,000 | 24.6% | 10.1% |
| Cozad | 3,937 | $54,471 | $121,600 | 12.8% | 10.9% |
Population Overview
Broken Bow is a small community located in Nebraska, within Custer County. The total population is 3,502. It ranks as the 43rd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Broken Bow is 36.6 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Broken Bow has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Broken Bow is $60,129. This is 21% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 17% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 94% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $133,200. Housing costs are 44% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Broken Bow is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Broken Bow has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
20.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Broken Bow, Nebraska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Broken Bow, Nebraska?
Broken Bow, Nebraska has a population of 3,502 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Broken Bow, NE?
The median household income in Broken Bow is $60,129, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Broken Bow, NE?
The poverty rate in Broken Bow is 8.8%. This means approximately 300 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Broken Bow, Nebraska?
Broken Bow's population is 86.7% White, 1.1% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Broken Bow, NE?
The median home value in Broken Bow is $133,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Broken Bow, Nebraska?
20.7% of adults (25+) in Broken Bow hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.