Emerson, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Emerson, Nebraska had a total population of 885, the 136th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $57,292, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
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 2.0x.
Emerson Quick Facts
How Emerson 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 | 912 | 885 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $58,125 | $57,292 | -1.4% |
| Median home value | $100,700 | $116,400 | +15.6% |
How Emerson 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Emerson 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 |
| Dakota City | 2,675 | $76,806 | 7.3% | $177,800 |
| 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 Emerson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newman Grove | 885 | $54,861 | $100,000 | 11.9% | 15.4% |
| Rushville | 877 | $53,958 | $98,400 | 27.5% | 12.3% |
| Crawford | 878 | $51,528 | $80,700 | 27.4% | 10.5% |
| Chappell | 915 | $65,000 | $94,000 | 22.5% | 8.6% |
| Burwell | 848 | $51,250 | $164,400 | 22.5% | 13.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 885, Emerson'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
Emerson is a small community located in Nebraska, within Dakota County. The total population is 885. It ranks as the 136th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Emerson is 44.0 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Emerson is $57,292. This is 25% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 51% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $116,400. Housing costs are 51% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Emerson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Emerson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
11.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 68% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Emerson, 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 Emerson, Nebraska?
Emerson, Nebraska has a population of 885 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Emerson, NE?
The median household income in Emerson is $57,292, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Emerson, NE?
The poverty rate in Emerson is 16.0%. This means approximately 137 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Emerson, Nebraska?
Emerson's population is 75.4% White, 0.1% Black, 11.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Emerson, NE?
The median home value in Emerson is $116,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Emerson, Nebraska?
11.2% of adults (25+) in Emerson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.