Grand Island, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Grand Island, Nebraska had a total population of 52,884, the 4th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $63,795, which is 17% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Grand Island is the 4th largest city in Nebraska with a population of 52,884.
Grand Island Quick Facts
How Grand Island 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 | 52,761 | 52,884 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $62,439 | $63,795 | +2.2% |
| Median home value | $202,600 | $218,600 | +7.9% |
How Grand Island 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Grand Island Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Hall County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wood River | 1,494 | $75,417 | 15.6% | $151,200 |
| Shelton | 1,389 | $81,278 | 6.8% | $142,100 |
| Cairo | 1,035 | $54,511 | 10.0% | $193,000 |
| Doniphan | 983 | $87,212 | 7.0% | $211,100 |
| Alda | 651 | $57,500 | 28.0% | $106,500 |
Cities Similar to Grand Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bellevue | 64,510 | $85,462 | $247,000 | 34.4% | 7.8% |
| Kearney | 34,246 | $69,724 | $244,600 | 36.5% | 12.4% |
| Fremont | 27,567 | $71,152 | $214,700 | 21.9% | 11.6% |
| Norfolk | 26,054 | $58,884 | $211,700 | 24.0% | 14.3% |
| Hastings | 25,008 | $64,048 | $184,700 | 29.2% | 14.8% |
Population Overview
Grand Island is a mid-sized community located in Nebraska, within Hall County. The total population is 52,884. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Grand Island is 34.7 years. This is 7% lower than the state median of 37.2 years. With 28.2% of the population under 18, Grand Island has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Grand Island is $63,795. This is 17% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.2%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 50% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $218,600. Housing costs are 8% lower than the state median of $238,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 57.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Grand Island is White (non-Hispanic), making up 55.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 36.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (36.4% vs 12.7%). The Asian population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
20.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 83.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Grand Island, 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 Grand Island, Nebraska?
Grand Island, Nebraska has a population of 52,884 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Grand Island, NE?
The median household income in Grand Island is $63,795, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Grand Island, NE?
The poverty rate in Grand Island is 15.2%. This means approximately 7,918 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Grand Island, Nebraska?
Grand Island's population is 55.8% White, 3.8% Black, 36.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Grand Island, NE?
The median home value in Grand Island is $218,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Grand Island, Nebraska?
20.9% of adults (25+) in Grand Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.