Cheney, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cheney, Nebraska had a total population of 144, the 403rd largest community in Nebraska. The poverty rate is 0.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Cheney Quick Facts
How Cheney 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 | 174 | 144 | -17.2% |
How Cheney 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+)
Cheney Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 294,856 | $71,867 | 12.7% | $264,000 |
| Waverly | 4,440 | $111,632 | 0.5% | $316,600 |
| Hickman | 3,004 | $104,375 | 2.6% | $311,700 |
| Bennet | 1,218 | $105,859 | 5.1% | $272,400 |
| Firth | 604 | $80,938 | 7.3% | $221,600 |
| Walton | 579 | $48,088 | 2.1% | $464,000 |
| Malcolm | 480 | $85,625 | 18.4% | $263,200 |
| Hallam | 346 | $98,214 | 2.9% | $287,900 |
| Yankee Hill | 250 | $71,597 | 0.4% | $284,200 |
| Roca | 242 | $100,000 | 0.8% | $231,300 |
Cities Similar to Cheney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denton | 145 | $57,250 | $247,900 | 16.3% | 8.3% |
| Du Bois | 145 | N/A | $55,000 | 7.2% | 17.5% |
| Hyannis | 145 | N/A | $79,400 | 26.0% | 12.4% |
| Belmar | 143 | $24,432 | $284,400 | 7.0% | 18.2% |
| Concord | 143 | $81,429 | $86,400 | 25.0% | 2.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 144, Cheney'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
Cheney is a small community located in Nebraska, within Lancaster County. The total population is 144. It ranks as the 403rd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cheney is 39.2 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. With 40.3% of the population under 18, Cheney has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.1% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The ACS records no residents below the poverty line in Cheney. In a community this small the estimate rests on very few survey responses, so it should be read as an absence of measurement rather than a measured absence of poverty. The survey records no unemployed residents in Cheney, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $167,200. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $238,600. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Cheney was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
12.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 63% 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 Cheney, 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 Cheney, Nebraska?
Cheney, Nebraska has a population of 144 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cheney, NE?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Cheney — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cheney, NE?
The ACS sample for Cheney recorded no residents below the federal poverty line. Because the community is small, this indicates that the survey did not capture poverty here rather than that no poverty exists — the estimate carries a wide margin of error.
What is the racial makeup of Cheney, Nebraska?
Cheney's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cheney, NE?
The median home value in Cheney is $167,200.
How educated is Cheney, Nebraska?
12.8% of adults (25+) in Cheney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.