Friend, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Friend, Nebraska had a total population of 1,155, the 108th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $90,909, which is 19% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.1%.
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 1.9x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.6%.
Friend Quick Facts
How Friend 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 | 1,085 | 1,155 | +6.5% |
| Median household income | $84,861 | $90,909 | +7.1% |
| Median home value | $171,200 | $173,800 | +1.5% |
How Friend 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+)
Friend Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Saline County
Cities Similar to Friend
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Bend | 1,152 | $85,882 | $172,800 | 24.7% | 8.6% |
| Fort Calhoun | 1,173 | $102,396 | $291,000 | 26.2% | 6.9% |
| Ceresco | 1,225 | $96,944 | $210,600 | 32.1% | 2.9% |
| Alma | 1,154 | $75,703 | $163,800 | 29.0% | 4.2% |
| Elm Creek | 1,107 | $79,148 | $191,500 | 25.6% | 11.9% |
Population Overview
Friend is a small community located in Nebraska, within Saline County. The total population is 1,155. It ranks as the 108th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Friend is 32.1 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. With 31.7% of the population under 18, Friend has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Friend is $90,909. This is 19% higher than the state median of $76,475. It is also 13% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.1%. This is 43% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.6%. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $173,800. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Friend is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Friend has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.9%.
Education
26.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 22% 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 95.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Friend, 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 Friend, Nebraska?
Friend, Nebraska has a population of 1,155 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Friend, NE?
The median household income in Friend is $90,909, which is 13% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Friend, NE?
The poverty rate in Friend is 6.1%. This means approximately 70 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Friend, Nebraska?
Friend's population is 89.0% White, 0.0% Black, 9.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Friend, NE?
The median home value in Friend is $173,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Friend, Nebraska?
26.9% of adults (25+) in Friend hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.