Cozad, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cozad, Nebraska had a total population of 3,937, the 40th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $54,471, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.3%.
Cozad Quick Facts
How Cozad 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 | 3,944 | 3,937 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $50,161 | $54,471 | +8.6% |
| Median home value | $118,600 | $121,600 | +2.5% |
How Cozad 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+)
Cozad Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Dawson County
Cities Similar to Cozad
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbury | 3,888 | $52,995 | $101,700 | 17.3% | 14.9% |
| Falls City | 4,077 | $51,706 | $89,800 | 28.2% | 11.4% |
| O'Neill | 3,570 | $56,510 | $153,300 | 22.7% | 18.5% |
| Auburn | 3,470 | $57,531 | $98,800 | 24.3% | 14.1% |
| Broken Bow | 3,502 | $60,129 | $133,200 | 20.7% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Cozad is a small community located in Nebraska, within Dawson County. The total population is 3,937. It ranks as the 40th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cozad is 41.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 12.7% 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 Cozad is $54,471. This is 29% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.9%. This is 3% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.3%. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $121,600. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Cozad is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Cozad is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.7%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.7% vs 12.7%). The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
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. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cozad, 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 Cozad, Nebraska?
Cozad, Nebraska has a population of 3,937 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cozad, NE?
The median household income in Cozad is $54,471, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cozad, NE?
The poverty rate in Cozad is 10.9%. This means approximately 424 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cozad, Nebraska?
Cozad's population is 75.2% White, 1.1% Black, 21.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cozad, NE?
The median home value in Cozad is $121,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Cozad, Nebraska?
12.8% of adults (25+) in Cozad hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.