Kearney city, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Kearney city, Nebraska has a total population of 34,024, the 5th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $69,790, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Kearney city is the 5th largest city in Nebraska with a population of 34,024.
- 36.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
Kearney city Quick Facts
How Kearney city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kearney city Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Cities Similar to Kearney city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont city | 27,321 | $67,179 | $194,400 | 21.5% | 9.5% |
| Norfolk city | 25,962 | $62,175 | $199,100 | 24.0% | 12.7% |
| Columbus city | 24,188 | $67,212 | $198,900 | 23.3% | 9.7% |
| Hastings city | 25,005 | $61,202 | $177,200 | 28.0% | 14.8% |
| North Platte city | 23,030 | $57,805 | $159,500 | 18.2% | 16.1% |
Population Overview
Kearney city is a mid-sized community located in Nebraska. The total population is 34,024. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 584 cities and towns in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kearney city is 32.4 years. This is 13% lower than the state median of 37.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kearney city is $69,790. This is 7% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 11% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 7% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $235,800. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $223,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 59.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kearney city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.4% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.2%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
36.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Kearney city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 8% higher 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 93.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kearney city, Nebraska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 584 Census-designated places in Nebraska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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 Kearney city, Nebraska?
Kearney city, Nebraska has a population of 34,024 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kearney city, NE?
The median household income in Kearney city is $69,790, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Kearney city, NE?
The poverty rate in Kearney city is 13.9%. This means approximately 4,481 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kearney city, Nebraska?
Kearney city's population is 82.4% White, 1.1% Black, 11.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kearney city, NE?
The median home value in Kearney city is $235,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Kearney city, Nebraska?
36.9% of adults (25+) in Kearney city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.