Elba, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elba, Nebraska had a total population of 171, the 381st largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $36,250, which is 53% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 53% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 8.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Elba Quick Facts
How Elba 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 | 181 | 171 | -5.5% |
| Median household income | $39,063 | $36,250 | -7.2% |
| Median home value | $96,000 | $98,300 | +2.4% |
How Elba 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+)
Elba Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Howard County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | 2,758 | $62,212 | 3.9% | $203,300 |
| St. Libory | 307 | N/A | 7.5% | $145,000 |
| Dannebrog | 235 | $63,250 | 7.2% | $127,500 |
| Howard City (Boelus) | 186 | $68,750 | 9.7% | $80,000 |
| Cushing | 112 | $98,478 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Farwell | 78 | $52,500 | 7.7% | N/A |
| Cotesfield | 27 | N/A | 3.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Elba
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockville | 169 | $35,833 | $39,200 | 6.9% | 6.5% |
| Bushnell | 160 | $40,000 | $70,500 | 2.6% | 10.6% |
| Stamford | 178 | $29,519 | $49,300 | 15.0% | 30.9% |
| Rulo | 164 | $45,625 | $94,600 | 0.0% | 9.2% |
| Du Bois | 145 | N/A | $55,000 | 7.2% | 17.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 171, Elba'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
Elba is a small community located in Nebraska, within Howard County. The total population is 171. It ranks as the 381st most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elba is 45.3 years. This is 22% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elba is $36,250. This is 53% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.7%. This is about the same as the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.9%. This is 162% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $98,300. Housing costs are 59% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Elba is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elba has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
8.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 87.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elba, 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 Elba, Nebraska?
Elba, Nebraska has a population of 171 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elba, NE?
The median household income in Elba is $36,250, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elba, NE?
The poverty rate in Elba is 10.7%. This means approximately 18 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elba, Nebraska?
Elba's population is 86.6% White, 1.2% Black, 5.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elba, NE?
The median home value in Elba is $98,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Elba, Nebraska?
8.1% of adults (25+) in Elba hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.