Center, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Center, Nebraska had a total population of 191, the 358th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $70,000, which is 8% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 37.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (37.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.5% is notably above the national average.
Center Quick Facts
How Center 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 | 210 | 191 | -9.0% |
| Median household income | $55,625 | $70,000 | +25.8% |
How Center 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+)
Center Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Knox County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Creighton | 1,222 | $50,278 | 14.5% | $98,000 |
| Bloomfield | 959 | $50,083 | 16.3% | $92,800 |
| Crofton | 902 | $94,583 | 8.8% | $125,500 |
| Wausa | 698 | $59,375 | 4.0% | $85,900 |
| Verdigre | 613 | $40,938 | 18.6% | $87,000 |
| Niobrara | 353 | $39,519 | 11.4% | $95,400 |
| Santee | 235 | $59,583 | 43.4% | N/A |
| Winnetoon | 68 | $82,500 | 7.3% | $44,600 |
| Verdel | 33 | $21,406 | 24.2% | N/A |
| Bazile Mills | 11 | $155,000 | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Center
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avoca | 190 | $66,563 | $137,500 | 10.6% | 11.4% |
| Holstein | 185 | $69,545 | $103,500 | 9.8% | 8.6% |
| Howard City (Boelus) | 186 | $68,750 | $80,000 | 20.9% | 9.7% |
| Ulysses | 190 | $76,458 | $36,300 | 1.4% | 14.7% |
| Mason City | 189 | $64,375 | N/A | 35.9% | 11.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 191, Center'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
Center is a small community located in Nebraska, within Knox County. The total population is 191. It ranks as the 358th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Center is 21.3 years. This is 43% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. With 37.2% of the population under 18, Center has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Center is $70,000. This is 8% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 13% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 37.0%. This is 249% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 11.5%. This is 279% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. 89.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 34% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Center is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 17.3%.
Education
6.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 82% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Center, 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 Center, Nebraska?
Center, Nebraska has a population of 191 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Center, NE?
The median household income in Center is $70,000, which is 13% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Center, NE?
The poverty rate in Center is 37.0%. This means approximately 68 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Center, Nebraska?
Center's population is 76.4% White, 0.0% Black, 17.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Center, NE?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Center — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Center, Nebraska?
6.1% of adults (25+) in Center hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.