Grand Island city, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Grand Island city, Nebraska has a total population of 52,761, the 4th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $62,439, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.5%.
Key Takeaways
- Grand Island city is the 4th largest city in Nebraska with a population of 52,761.
Grand Island city Quick Facts
How Grand Island city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grand Island city Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Cities Similar to Grand Island city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue city | 64,355 | $87,343 | $230,800 | 33.4% | 7.6% |
| Kearney city | 34,024 | $69,790 | $235,800 | 36.9% | 13.9% |
| Fremont city | 27,321 | $67,179 | $194,400 | 21.5% | 9.5% |
| Norfolk city | 25,962 | $62,175 | $199,100 | 24.0% | 12.7% |
| Hastings city | 25,005 | $61,202 | $177,200 | 28.0% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Grand Island city is a mid-sized community located in Nebraska, within Hall County. The total population is 52,761. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 584 cities and towns in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grand Island city is 34.5 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 37.1 years. With 28.4% of the population under 18, Grand Island city has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grand Island city is $62,439. This is 17% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 20% lower. The poverty rate stands at 12.5%. This is 22% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.6%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $202,600. Housing costs are 9% lower than the state median of $223,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x. 59.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grand Island city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 57.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 35.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (35.4% vs 12.3%). The Asian population (1.2%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
20.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 39% lower than the state rate of 34.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 82.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grand Island city, Nebraska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 584 Census-designated places in Nebraska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Grand Island city, Nebraska?
Grand Island city, Nebraska has a population of 52,761 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grand Island city, NE?
The median household income in Grand Island city is $62,439, which is 20% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Grand Island city, NE?
The poverty rate in Grand Island city is 12.5%. This means approximately 6,494 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grand Island city, Nebraska?
Grand Island city's population is 57.2% White, 3.7% Black, 35.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grand Island city, NE?
The median home value in Grand Island city is $202,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.2x.
How educated is Grand Island city, Nebraska?
20.8% of adults (25+) in Grand Island city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.