Gothenburg, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Gothenburg, Nebraska had a total population of 3,452, the 46th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $79,219, which is 4% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
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 2.4x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Gothenburg Quick Facts
How Gothenburg 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 | 3,436 | 3,452 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $79,519 | $79,219 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $173,200 | $191,000 | +10.3% |
How Gothenburg 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+)
Gothenburg Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Dawson County
Cities Similar to Gothenburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Point | 3,471 | $65,793 | $202,200 | 20.8% | 7.4% |
| Broken Bow | 3,502 | $60,129 | $133,200 | 20.7% | 8.8% |
| Central City | 3,061 | $73,229 | $165,300 | 20.0% | 4.2% |
| Auburn | 3,470 | $57,531 | $98,800 | 24.3% | 14.1% |
| Ashland | 3,071 | $89,408 | $249,700 | 36.0% | 4.3% |
Population Overview
Gothenburg is a small community located in Nebraska, within Dawson County. The total population is 3,452. It ranks as the 46th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Gothenburg is 44.3 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Gothenburg is $79,219. This is 4% higher than the state median of $76,475. It is also 2% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 79% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $191,000. Housing costs are 20% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Gothenburg is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Gothenburg has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (6.1%) is well below the state average of 12.7%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
24.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 29% 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 92.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Gothenburg, 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 Gothenburg, Nebraska?
Gothenburg, Nebraska has a population of 3,452 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Gothenburg, NE?
The median household income in Gothenburg is $79,219, which is 2% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Gothenburg, NE?
The poverty rate in Gothenburg is 10.1%. This means approximately 345 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Gothenburg, Nebraska?
Gothenburg's population is 88.7% White, 0.0% Black, 6.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Gothenburg, NE?
The median home value in Gothenburg is $191,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Gothenburg, Nebraska?
24.6% of adults (25+) in Gothenburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.