Hayes County, Nebraska Demographics 2026

Name: Hayes County, Nebraska Demographics
Creator: U.S. Census Bureau
License: https://www.census.gov/data/developers/about/terms-of-service.html

Hayes County, Nebraska has a population of 854, the 83rd most populous county in Nebraska. The median household income is $60,313 and the median home value is $112,800. The poverty rate is 12.3%.

Hayes County Quick Facts

Population 854

Median Household Income $60,313

Median Home Value $112,800

Poverty Rate 12.3%

Unemployment Rate 0.3%

Median Age 48.7 years

Homeownership Rate 71.2%

Affordability Ratio 1.9x

Bachelor's Degree+ 15.9%

High School Graduation 94.7%

Cities/Places 2

Population 854 83rd of 93

Median Income $60,313 20% lower than state

Poverty Rate 12.3%

Unemployment 0.3%

Median Household Income

Hayes

$60,313

$74,985

National

$78,538

Median Home Value

Hayes

$112,800

$223,800

National

$303,400

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 18.2%

$25K-$50K 24.6%

$50K-$100K 33.1%

$100K+ 24.1%

Detailed income brackets

Under $10K

1.7%

$10K-$15K

7.8%

$15K-$20K

3.1%

$20K-$25K

5.6%

$25K-$30K

6.2%

$30K-$35K

3.6%

$35K-$40K

1.7%

$40K-$45K

10.6%

$45K-$50K

2.5%

$50K-$60K

6.7%

$60K-$75K

9.0%

$75K-$100K

17.4%

$100K-$125K

5.9%

$125K-$150K

10.1%

$150K-$200K

2.2%

$200K+

5.9%

Employment

0.3% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0%|National: 5.2%

57.8% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 71.2%

Renter 28.8%

Affordability Index Very Affordable

1.9x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.0%

18-34

13.2%

35-54

20.6%

55-74

33.3%

75+

10.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Diversity Index

Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 40 | National average: 61

Education

Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)

Cities & Places in Hayes County

City	Population	Median Income	Poverty	Home Value
Hayes Center	258	$70,208	19.8%	$83,300
Hamlet	17	$50,625	23.5%	N/A

Explore Nebraska Rankings

Cities by Population All cities ranked by size Richest Cities Ranked by median income Most Educated By bachelor's degree rate Most Affordable By housing affordability

Population Overview

Hayes County is located in Nebraska with a total population of 854. It is the 83rd most populous county out of 93 in Nebraska. The county encompasses 2 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hayes County is 48.7 years. This is 31% higher than the state median of 37.1 years. 10.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hayes County is $60,313. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,985. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $78,538. The poverty rate stands at 12.3%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.3%. This is 91% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $112,800. Housing costs are 50% lower than the state median of $223,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Hayes County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 71.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Hayes County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%.

Education

15.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 53% 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 94.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for Hayes County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023), with comparisons drawn against Nebraska and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Hayes County, Nebraska?

Hayes County has a population of 854, making it the 83rd most populous county in Nebraska.

What is the median income in Hayes County?

The median household income in Hayes County is $60,313 with a poverty rate of 12.3%.

How many cities are in Hayes County, Nebraska?

Hayes County contains 2 Census-designated places.