Central City, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Central City, Nebraska had a total population of 3,061, the 50th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $73,229, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.2%.
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 4.2% — among the lowest in Nebraska.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Central City Quick Facts
How Central City 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 | 3,039 | 3,061 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $62,012 | $73,229 | +18.1% |
| Median home value | $158,300 | $165,300 | +4.4% |
How Central City 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+)
Central City Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Merrick County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palmer | 403 | $62,578 | 5.7% | $123,900 |
| Silver Creek | 341 | $51,563 | 7.3% | $98,600 |
| Clarks | 330 | $49,167 | 15.2% | $107,600 |
| Chapman | 290 | $86,250 | 8.3% | $113,800 |
| Archer | 53 | $61,250 | 11.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Central City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minden | 3,108 | $68,449 | $208,500 | 28.2% | 4.8% |
| David City | 3,017 | $65,573 | $165,200 | 32.7% | 15.0% |
| Ashland | 3,071 | $89,408 | $249,700 | 36.0% | 4.3% |
| Dakota City | 2,675 | $76,806 | $177,800 | 9.0% | 7.3% |
| Gothenburg | 3,452 | $79,219 | $191,000 | 24.6% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Central City is a small community located in Nebraska, within Merrick County. The total population is 3,061. It ranks as the 50th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Central City is 39.9 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 11.9% 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 is $73,229. 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 4.2%. This is 61% 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 Central City, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $165,300. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Central City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Central City has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.9%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
20.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Central City, 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 Central City, Nebraska?
Central City, Nebraska has a population of 3,061 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Central City, NE?
The median household income in Central City is $73,229, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Central City, NE?
The poverty rate in Central City is 4.2%. This means approximately 123 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Central City, Nebraska?
Central City's population is 87.2% White, 0.0% Black, 4.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Central City, NE?
The median home value in Central City is $165,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Central City, Nebraska?
20.0% of adults (25+) in Central City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.