Imperial, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Imperial, Nebraska had a total population of 2,210, the 59th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $74,176, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.1%.
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 2.1x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Imperial Quick Facts
How Imperial 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 | 2,182 | 2,210 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $71,667 | $74,176 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $176,700 | $158,600 | -10.2% |
How Imperial 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+)
Imperial Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Chase County
Cities Similar to Imperial
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Geneva | 2,193 | $80,398 | $169,100 | 28.5% | 6.2% |
| Syracuse | 1,990 | $72,404 | $205,900 | 28.5% | 6.7% |
| Madison | 2,079 | $62,738 | $133,200 | 15.7% | 14.9% |
| Pierce | 1,956 | $70,859 | $179,400 | 24.7% | 4.9% |
| Kimball | 2,225 | $56,174 | $112,100 | 16.1% | 14.9% |
Population Overview
Imperial is a small community located in Nebraska, within Chase County. The total population is 2,210. It ranks as the 59th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Imperial is 44.8 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 10.1% 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 Imperial is $74,176. This is 3% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.1%. This is 33% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $158,600. Housing costs are 34% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Imperial is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Imperial is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.0%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (27.0% vs 12.7%).
Education
25.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% 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 86.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Imperial, 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 Imperial, Nebraska?
Imperial, Nebraska has a population of 2,210 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Imperial, NE?
The median household income in Imperial is $74,176, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Imperial, NE?
The poverty rate in Imperial is 7.1%. This means approximately 152 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Imperial, Nebraska?
Imperial's population is 71.7% White, 0.1% Black, 27.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Imperial, NE?
The median home value in Imperial is $158,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Imperial, Nebraska?
25.1% of adults (25+) in Imperial hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 8.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.