Kearney, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kearney, Nebraska had a total population of 34,246, the 5th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $69,724, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Kearney is the 5th largest city in Nebraska with a population of 34,246.
- 36.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
Kearney Quick Facts
How Kearney 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 | 34,024 | 34,246 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $69,790 | $69,724 | -0.1% |
| Median home value | $235,800 | $244,600 | +3.7% |
How Kearney 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
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+)
Kearney Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Buffalo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gibbon | 1,763 | $70,069 | 5.3% | $173,800 |
| Ravenna | 1,382 | $64,423 | 12.6% | $135,900 |
| Elm Creek | 1,107 | $79,148 | 11.9% | $191,500 |
| Glenwood | 653 | $143,098 | 0.0% | $337,900 |
| Pleasanton | 556 | $73,750 | 2.4% | $227,500 |
| Riverdale | 307 | $85,227 | 1.6% | $137,500 |
| Amherst | 272 | $69,125 | 2.9% | $169,800 |
| Odessa | 138 | $39,792 | 3.6% | $139,600 |
| Miller | 128 | $90,500 | 11.7% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Kearney
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fremont | 27,567 | $71,152 | $214,700 | 21.9% | 11.6% |
| Hastings | 25,008 | $64,048 | $184,700 | 29.2% | 14.8% |
| Norfolk | 26,054 | $58,884 | $211,700 | 24.0% | 14.3% |
| Columbus | 24,488 | $64,626 | $213,600 | 21.8% | 11.3% |
| Grand Island | 52,884 | $63,795 | $218,600 | 20.9% | 15.2% |
Population Overview
Kearney is a mid-sized community located in Nebraska, within Buffalo County. The total population is 34,246. It ranks as the 5th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kearney is 32.8 years. This is 12% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kearney is $69,724. This is 9% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.4%. This is 17% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.9%. This is 5% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $244,600. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $238,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kearney is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 11.4%. The Black or African American population (1.1%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
36.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Kearney in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 6% higher 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kearney, 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 Kearney, Nebraska?
Kearney, Nebraska has a population of 34,246 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kearney, NE?
The median household income in Kearney is $69,724, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kearney, NE?
The poverty rate in Kearney is 12.4%. This means approximately 4,019 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kearney, Nebraska?
Kearney's population is 81.5% White, 1.1% Black, 11.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kearney, NE?
The median home value in Kearney is $244,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Kearney, Nebraska?
36.5% of adults (25+) in Kearney hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.