Dakota City, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dakota City, Nebraska had a total population of 2,675, the 54th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $76,806, which is about the same as the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 9.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x.
Dakota City Quick Facts
How Dakota 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 | 2,980 | 2,675 | -10.2% |
| Median household income | $80,433 | $76,806 | -4.5% |
| Median home value | $170,200 | $177,800 | +4.5% |
How Dakota 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Dakota City Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Dakota County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Sioux City | 13,907 | $68,223 | 12.2% | $174,700 |
| Emerson | 885 | $57,292 | 16.0% | $116,400 |
| Homer | 446 | $80,714 | 10.9% | $162,900 |
| Jackson | 273 | $51,250 | 5.1% | $196,900 |
| Hubbard | 190 | $58,750 | 7.4% | $185,700 |
Cities Similar to Dakota City
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 2,565 | $82,699 | $228,200 | 28.4% | 7.2% |
| St. Paul | 2,758 | $62,212 | $203,300 | 29.1% | 3.9% |
| Central City | 3,061 | $73,229 | $165,300 | 20.0% | 4.2% |
| Valentine | 2,633 | $56,898 | $148,600 | 25.7% | 9.1% |
| David City | 3,017 | $65,573 | $165,200 | 32.7% | 15.0% |
Population Overview
Dakota City is a small community located in Nebraska, within Dakota County. The total population is 2,675. It ranks as the 54th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dakota City is 30.7 years. This is 17% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dakota City is $76,806. This is about the same as the state median of $76,475. It is also 5% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 79% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $177,800. Housing costs are 25% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Dakota City is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dakota City is White (non-Hispanic), making up 52.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 38.2%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.2% vs 12.7%).
Education
9.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 78.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dakota 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 Dakota City, Nebraska?
Dakota City, Nebraska has a population of 2,675 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dakota City, NE?
The median household income in Dakota City is $76,806, which is 5% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dakota City, NE?
The poverty rate in Dakota City is 7.3%. This means approximately 192 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dakota City, Nebraska?
Dakota City's population is 52.1% White, 0.1% Black, 38.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dakota City, NE?
The median home value in Dakota City is $177,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.3x.
How educated is Dakota City, Nebraska?
9.0% of adults (25+) in Dakota City hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.