Jefferson County, Nebraska Demographics 2026
Jefferson County, Nebraska has a population of 7,161, the 40th most populous county in Nebraska. The median household income is $59,044 and the median home value is $129,500. The poverty rate is 10.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Jefferson County Quick Facts
How Jefferson County 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 | 7,155 | 7,161 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $60,568 | $59,044 | -2.5% |
| Median home value | $117,600 | $129,500 | +10.1% |
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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cities & Places in Jefferson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbury | 3,888 | $52,995 | 14.9% | $101,700 |
| Plymouth | 397 | $50,417 | 11.3% | $116,900 |
| Daykin | 195 | $89,375 | 5.1% | $106,300 |
| Diller | 179 | $78,333 | 16.8% | $79,600 |
| Endicott | 151 | $86,250 | 0.0% | $73,100 |
| Jansen | 123 | $65,625 | 20.3% | $60,000 |
| Harbine | 65 | $72,188 | 0.0% | $126,000 |
| Steele City | 62 | $30,625 | 14.5% | $26,700 |
| Reynolds | 41 | N/A | 21.9% | $55,000 |
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Population Overview
Jefferson County is located in Nebraska with a total population of 7,161. It is the 40th most populous county out of 93 in Nebraska. The county encompasses 9 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Jefferson County is 44.4 years. This is 19% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 11.2% 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 Jefferson County is $59,044. This is 23% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.1%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.2%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $129,500. Housing costs are 46% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Jefferson County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Jefferson County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.9%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.9%) is well below the state average of 12.7%. The Asian population (0.0%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
20.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% 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 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Jefferson County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, 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 Jefferson County, Nebraska?
Jefferson County has a population of 7,161, making it the 40th most populous county in Nebraska.
What is the median income in Jefferson County?
The median household income in Jefferson County is $59,044 with a poverty rate of 10.1%.
How many cities are in Jefferson County, Nebraska?
Jefferson County contains 9 Census-designated places.