Dorchester, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dorchester, Nebraska had a total population of 550, the 202nd largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $74,286, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 2.0%.
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 2.0% — among the lowest in Nebraska.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Dorchester Quick Facts
How Dorchester 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 | 622 | 550 | -11.6% |
| Median household income | $59,583 | $74,286 | +24.7% |
| Median home value | $140,100 | $163,200 | +16.5% |
How Dorchester 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+)
Dorchester Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Saline County
Cities Similar to Dorchester
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cortland | 547 | $74,583 | $183,200 | 16.5% | 4.2% |
| Pleasanton | 556 | $73,750 | $227,500 | 27.4% | 2.4% |
| Elwood | 534 | $66,389 | $183,300 | 25.9% | 8.4% |
| Ansley | 563 | $64,688 | $89,800 | 19.2% | 5.9% |
| Exeter | 562 | $62,917 | $116,000 | 27.1% | 9.1% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 550, Dorchester'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
Dorchester is a small community located in Nebraska, within Saline County. The total population is 550. It ranks as the 202nd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dorchester is 36.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dorchester is $74,286. This is 3% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 2.0%. This is 81% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $163,200. Housing costs are 32% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Dorchester is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dorchester is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.1%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
20.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 41% 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 97.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dorchester, 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 Dorchester, Nebraska?
Dorchester, Nebraska has a population of 550 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dorchester, NE?
The median household income in Dorchester is $74,286, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dorchester, NE?
The poverty rate in Dorchester is 2.0%. This means approximately 11 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dorchester, Nebraska?
Dorchester's population is 78.0% White, 0.9% Black, 15.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dorchester, NE?
The median home value in Dorchester is $163,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Dorchester, Nebraska?
20.3% of adults (25+) in Dorchester hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.