Chadron, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Chadron, Nebraska had a total population of 5,160, the 34th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $54,590, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 43.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.8%.
Chadron Quick Facts
How Chadron 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 | 5,207 | 5,160 | -0.9% |
| Median household income | $54,026 | $54,590 | +1.0% |
| Median home value | $153,300 | $153,800 | +0.3% |
How Chadron 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+)
Chadron Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Dawes County
Cities Similar to Chadron
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holdrege | 5,546 | $55,789 | $198,900 | 30.1% | 16.6% |
| Ogallala | 4,777 | $58,556 | $155,800 | 25.3% | 12.4% |
| Wayne | 6,121 | $53,702 | $228,900 | 35.6% | 19.9% |
| Sidney | 6,419 | $54,734 | $139,400 | 19.5% | 16.2% |
| Falls City | 4,077 | $51,706 | $89,800 | 28.2% | 11.4% |
Population Overview
Chadron is a small city located in Nebraska, within Dawes County. The total population is 5,160. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Chadron is 30.5 years. This is 18% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Chadron is $54,590. This is 29% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 32% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.8%. This is 42% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $153,800. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Chadron is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 56.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Chadron has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Black or African American population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.0%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
43.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Chadron in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 26% 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 93.6%. Notably, 20.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Chadron, 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 Chadron, Nebraska?
Chadron, Nebraska has a population of 5,160 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Chadron, NE?
The median household income in Chadron is $54,590, which is 32% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Chadron, NE?
The poverty rate in Chadron is 13.2%. This means approximately 588 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Chadron, Nebraska?
Chadron's population is 86.4% White, 0.7% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Chadron, NE?
The median home value in Chadron is $153,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Chadron, Nebraska?
43.6% of adults (25+) in Chadron hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 20.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.