Bruning, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bruning, Nebraska had a total population of 259, the 311th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $73,750, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 3.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 3.9% — among the lowest in Nebraska.
- 44.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Bruning Quick Facts
How Bruning 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 | 267 | 259 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $70,833 | $73,750 | +4.1% |
| Median home value | $101,700 | $132,100 | +29.9% |
How Bruning 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+)
Bruning Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Thayer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hebron | 1,577 | $65,833 | 9.3% | $139,100 |
| Deshler | 729 | $57,188 | 12.8% | $102,300 |
| Davenport | 257 | $67,083 | 5.1% | $87,800 |
| Chester | 240 | $71,875 | 11.3% | $76,800 |
| Carleton | 189 | $81,250 | 1.1% | N/A |
| Alexandria | 101 | $56,250 | 20.8% | $29,200 |
| Byron | 92 | $50,417 | 14.1% | $55,000 |
| Hubbell | 61 | N/A | 18.0% | $41,700 |
| Belvidere | 35 | N/A | 28.6% | N/A |
| Gilead | 30 | $62,500 | 0.0% | $27,500 |
Cities Similar to Bruning
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monroe | 252 | $75,500 | $126,000 | 11.1% | 8.4% |
| Hadar | 264 | $77,222 | $217,900 | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| Maywood | 266 | $71,250 | $103,100 | 25.3% | 12.4% |
| Yankee Hill | 250 | $71,597 | $284,200 | 36.0% | 0.4% |
| Douglas | 269 | $71,250 | $120,400 | 11.7% | 7.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 259, Bruning's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Bruning is a small community located in Nebraska, within Thayer County. The total population is 259. It ranks as the 311th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bruning is 36.2 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bruning is $73,750. This is 4% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 3.9%. This is 64% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $132,100. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Bruning is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 91.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bruning has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
44.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bruning in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 29% higher 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 95.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bruning, 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 Bruning, Nebraska?
Bruning, Nebraska has a population of 259 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bruning, NE?
The median household income in Bruning is $73,750, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bruning, NE?
The poverty rate in Bruning is 3.9%. This means approximately 10 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bruning, Nebraska?
Bruning's population is 94.2% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bruning, NE?
The median home value in Bruning is $132,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Bruning, Nebraska?
44.5% of adults (25+) in Bruning hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.