Central City city, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026

Name: Central City city, Nebraska Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

As of 2026, Central City city, Nebraska has a total population of 3,039, the 49th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $62,012, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.8%.

Key Takeaways

Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.0%.

Central City city Quick Facts

Population 3,039

Median Household Income $62,012

Median Home Value $158,300

Poverty Rate 7.8%

Unemployment Rate 0.0%

Median Age 38.8 years

Homeownership Rate 67.4%

Affordability Ratio 2.6x

Bachelor's Degree or Higher 19.7%

High School Graduation Rate 92.1%

Diversity Index 25/100

Population 3,039 49th of 584

Median Income $62,012 average

Poverty Rate 7.8% 37% lower national

Median Home Value $158,300 top 30%

How Central City city Compares

Median Household Income

Central City city

$62,012

$74,985

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Central City city

$158,300

$223,800

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.6%

$25K-$50K 19.5%

$50K-$100K 41.0%

$100K+ 24.0%

Employment

0.0% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0% | National: 5.2%

64.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 67.4%

Renter 32.6%

Affordability Index Very Affordable

2.6x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

23.7%

18-34

21.4%

35-54

20.5%

55-74

23.5%

75+

10.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 60

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Central City city Rankings in Nebraska

#49 Population of 584

#278 Median Income of 584

#278 Education of 584

#132 Home Value of 584

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

Cities Similar to Central City city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

City	Population	Median Income	Home Value	Bachelor's+	Poverty
Minden city	3,020	$64,846	$188,100	24.6%	4.2%
David City city	3,013	$66,585	$158,800	34.3%	7.6%
Ashland city	3,083	$80,948	$229,100	30.3%	5.9%
Dakota City city	2,980	$80,433	$170,200	12.8%	8.7%
West Point city	3,479	$63,977	$209,200	23.4%	7.1%

Population Overview

Central City city is a small community located in Nebraska, within Merrick County. The total population is 3,039. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 584 cities and towns in Nebraska.

Age Demographics

The median age in Central City city is 38.8 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.1 years. 10.9% 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 Central City city is $62,012. This is 17% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 21% lower. The poverty rate stands at 7.8%. This is 24% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.0%. This is 100% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $158,300. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $223,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Central City city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Central City city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.3%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.

Education

19.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 34.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Central City city, Nebraska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 584 Census-designated places in Nebraska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Central City city, Nebraska?

Central City city, Nebraska has a population of 3,039 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Central City city, NE?

The median household income in Central City city is $62,012, which is 21% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Central City city, NE?

The poverty rate in Central City city is 7.8%. This means approximately 229 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Central City city, Nebraska?

Central City city's population is 86.2% White, 0.1% Black, 7.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.

What is the median home value in Central City city, NE?

The median home value in Central City city is $158,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.

How educated is Central City city, Nebraska?

19.7% of adults (25+) in Central City city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.