Harvard, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Harvard, Nebraska had a total population of 1,008, the 119th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $66,000, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
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 1.5x.
Harvard Quick Facts
How Harvard 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 | 1,001 | 1,008 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $67,813 | $66,000 | -2.7% |
| Median home value | $98,400 | $102,100 | +3.8% |
How Harvard 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Harvard Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Clay County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sutton | 1,323 | $81,313 | 5.8% | $155,600 |
| Clay Center | 802 | $82,500 | 4.1% | $141,300 |
| Edgar | 501 | $50,625 | 16.4% | $95,000 |
| Fairfield | 327 | $67,188 | 8.1% | $160,900 |
| Glenvil | 285 | $67,750 | 7.7% | $104,200 |
| Saronville | 69 | N/A | 10.1% | $112,500 |
| Deweese | 56 | $18,750 | 51.8% | $91,700 |
| Ong | 50 | N/A | 20.0% | N/A |
| Inland | 31 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Harvard
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waterloo | 990 | $67,941 | $231,400 | 18.7% | 7.6% |
| Laurel | 1,018 | $58,519 | $164,200 | 38.3% | 19.2% |
| Arnold | 945 | $64,688 | $146,700 | 26.1% | 8.0% |
| Arapahoe | 993 | $57,188 | $97,400 | 21.2% | 18.0% |
| Tilden | 936 | $69,118 | $156,500 | 22.7% | 13.6% |
Population Overview
Harvard is a small community located in Nebraska, within Clay County. The total population is 1,008. It ranks as the 119th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Harvard is 36.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Harvard is $66,000. This is 14% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 18% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. The median home value is $102,100. Housing costs are 57% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.5x, Harvard is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Harvard is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 31.3%. The Black or African American population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (31.3% vs 12.7%).
Education
13.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 62% 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 86.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Harvard, 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.
Free data download: Get all Nebraska city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Harvard, Nebraska?
Harvard, Nebraska has a population of 1,008 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Harvard, NE?
The median household income in Harvard is $66,000, which is 18% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Harvard, NE?
The poverty rate in Harvard is 7.3%. This means approximately 72 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Harvard, Nebraska?
Harvard's population is 66.6% White, 0.8% Black, 31.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Harvard, NE?
The median home value in Harvard is $102,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.5x.
How educated is Harvard, Nebraska?
13.1% of adults (25+) in Harvard hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.