Elk Creek, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elk Creek, Nebraska had a total population of 122, the 426th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $55,625, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (27.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x.
Elk Creek Quick Facts
How Elk Creek 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 | 129 | 122 | -5.4% |
| Median household income | $55,227 | $55,625 | +0.7% |
How Elk Creek 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+)
Elk Creek Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Johnson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tecumseh | 1,882 | $45,357 | 12.8% | $106,300 |
| Sterling | 717 | $70,313 | 11.6% | $130,400 |
| Cook | 328 | $65,714 | 10.7% | $110,400 |
| Crab Orchard | 20 | $62,500 | 5.0% | $43,000 |
Cities Similar to Elk Creek
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Page | 120 | $56,250 | $94,300 | 20.9% | 8.3% |
| Stella | 126 | $56,250 | $62,500 | 30.8% | 8.7% |
| Jansen | 123 | $65,625 | $60,000 | 7.2% | 20.3% |
| Barneston | 117 | $49,583 | N/A | 1.0% | 11.1% |
| Burchard | 119 | $64,688 | $56,700 | 4.5% | 2.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 122, Elk Creek'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
Elk Creek is a small community located in Nebraska, within Johnson County. The total population is 122. It ranks as the 426th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elk Creek is 52.0 years. This is 40% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 13.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elk Creek is $55,625. This is 27% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.1%. This is 155% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.7%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $40,000. Housing costs are 83% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 0.7x, Elk Creek is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 80.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Elk Creek has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.5% of all residents.
Education
13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 60% 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 Elk Creek, 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 Elk Creek, Nebraska?
Elk Creek, Nebraska has a population of 122 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elk Creek, NE?
The median household income in Elk Creek is $55,625, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elk Creek, NE?
The poverty rate in Elk Creek is 27.1%. This means approximately 33 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elk Creek, Nebraska?
Elk Creek's population is 97.5% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elk Creek, NE?
The median home value in Elk Creek is $40,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 0.7x.
How educated is Elk Creek, Nebraska?
13.8% of adults (25+) in Elk Creek hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.