Lincoln city, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Lincoln city, Nebraska has a total population of 291,932, the 2nd largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $69,991, which is 7% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Lincoln city is the 2nd largest city in Nebraska with a population of 291,932.
- 40.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
Lincoln city Quick Facts
How Lincoln 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+)
Lincoln city Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Cities Similar to Lincoln city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha city | 488,197 | $72,708 | $230,100 | 40.3% | 12.8% |
| Bellevue city | 64,355 | $87,343 | $230,800 | 33.4% | 7.6% |
| Grand Island city | 52,761 | $62,439 | $202,600 | 20.8% | 12.5% |
| Kearney city | 34,024 | $69,790 | $235,800 | 36.9% | 13.9% |
| Fremont city | 27,321 | $67,179 | $194,400 | 21.5% | 9.5% |
Population Overview
Lincoln city is a major urban center located in Nebraska, within Lancaster County. The total population is 291,932. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 584 cities and towns in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lincoln city is 33.4 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lincoln city is $69,991. 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 12.6%. This is 23% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $248,200. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $223,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 55.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lincoln city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.8%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.4% vs 2.5%).
Education
40.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lincoln city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 20% 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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lincoln 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 Lincoln city, Nebraska?
Lincoln city, Nebraska has a population of 291,932 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lincoln city, NE?
The median household income in Lincoln city is $69,991, which is 11% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Lincoln city, NE?
The poverty rate in Lincoln city is 12.6%. This means approximately 35,242 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lincoln city, Nebraska?
Lincoln city's population is 77.2% White, 4.1% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lincoln city, NE?
The median home value in Lincoln city is $248,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Lincoln city, Nebraska?
40.9% of adults (25+) in Lincoln city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.