Fairbury, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fairbury, Nebraska had a total population of 3,888, the 41st largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $52,995, which is 31% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 31% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
Fairbury Quick Facts
How Fairbury 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 | 3,905 | 3,888 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $51,782 | $52,995 | +2.3% |
| Median home value | $90,800 | $101,700 | +12.0% |
How Fairbury 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+)
Fairbury Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | 397 | $50,417 | 11.3% | $116,900 |
| Daykin | 195 | $89,375 | 5.1% | $106,300 |
| Diller | 179 | $78,333 | 16.8% | $79,600 |
| Endicott | 151 | $86,250 | 0.0% | $73,100 |
| Jansen | 123 | $65,625 | 20.3% | $60,000 |
| Harbine | 65 | $72,188 | 0.0% | $126,000 |
| Steele City | 62 | $30,625 | 14.5% | $26,700 |
| Reynolds | 41 | N/A | 21.9% | $55,000 |
Cities Similar to Fairbury
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cozad | 3,937 | $54,471 | $121,600 | 12.8% | 10.9% |
| Falls City | 4,077 | $51,706 | $89,800 | 28.2% | 11.4% |
| O'Neill | 3,570 | $56,510 | $153,300 | 22.7% | 18.5% |
| Auburn | 3,470 | $57,531 | $98,800 | 24.3% | 14.1% |
| Broken Bow | 3,502 | $60,129 | $133,200 | 20.7% | 8.8% |
Population Overview
Fairbury is a small community located in Nebraska, within Jefferson County. The total population is 3,888. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fairbury is 41.6 years. This is 12% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 12.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fairbury is $52,995. This is 31% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 40% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 54% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $101,700. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Fairbury is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Fairbury has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.4%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
17.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 50% 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 91.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fairbury, 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 Fairbury, Nebraska?
Fairbury, Nebraska has a population of 3,888 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fairbury, NE?
The median household income in Fairbury is $52,995, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fairbury, NE?
The poverty rate in Fairbury is 14.9%. This means approximately 562 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fairbury, Nebraska?
Fairbury's population is 86.6% White, 0.6% Black, 9.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fairbury, NE?
The median home value in Fairbury is $101,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Fairbury, Nebraska?
17.3% of adults (25+) in Fairbury hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.