Carleton, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carleton, Nebraska had a total population of 189, the 362nd largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $81,250, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 1.1%.
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 1.1% — among the lowest in Nebraska.
Carleton Quick Facts
How Carleton 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 | 180 | 189 | +5.0% |
| Median household income | $79,118 | $81,250 | +2.7% |
How Carleton 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+)
Carleton 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 |
| Bruning | 259 | $73,750 | 3.9% | $132,100 |
| Davenport | 257 | $67,083 | 5.1% | $87,800 |
| Chester | 240 | $71,875 | 11.3% | $76,800 |
| 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 Carleton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ulysses | 190 | $76,458 | $36,300 | 1.4% | 14.7% |
| Verdon | 185 | $78,750 | $55,000 | 3.7% | 11.9% |
| Fordyce | 195 | $83,125 | $106,700 | 33.3% | 22.6% |
| Sprague | 176 | $81,250 | $197,300 | 32.4% | 19.3% |
| Diller | 179 | $78,333 | $79,600 | 34.5% | 16.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 189, Carleton'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
Carleton is a small community located in Nebraska, within Thayer County. The total population is 189. It ranks as the 362nd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carleton is 38.1 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carleton is $81,250. This is 6% higher than the state median of $76,475. It is also about the same as the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 1.1%. This is 90% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Carleton, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carleton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.7% of all residents.
Education
18.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% lower than the state rate of 34.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carleton, 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 Carleton, Nebraska?
Carleton, Nebraska has a population of 189 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carleton, NE?
The median household income in Carleton is $81,250, which is about the same as the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carleton, NE?
The poverty rate in Carleton is 1.1%. This means approximately 2 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carleton, Nebraska?
Carleton's population is 94.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carleton, NE?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Carleton — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Carleton, Nebraska?
18.8% of adults (25+) in Carleton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.