Lincoln, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lincoln, Nebraska had a total population of 294,856, the 2nd largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $71,867, which is 6% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Lincoln is the 2nd largest city in Nebraska with a population of 294,856.
- 41.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
Lincoln Quick Facts
How Lincoln 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 | 291,932 | 294,856 | +1.0% |
| Median household income | $69,991 | $71,867 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $248,200 | $264,000 | +6.4% |
How Lincoln 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+)
Lincoln Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waverly | 4,440 | $111,632 | 0.5% | $316,600 |
| Hickman | 3,004 | $104,375 | 2.6% | $311,700 |
| Bennet | 1,218 | $105,859 | 5.1% | $272,400 |
| Firth | 604 | $80,938 | 7.3% | $221,600 |
| Walton | 579 | $48,088 | 2.1% | $464,000 |
| Malcolm | 480 | $85,625 | 18.4% | $263,200 |
| Hallam | 346 | $98,214 | 2.9% | $287,900 |
| Yankee Hill | 250 | $71,597 | 0.4% | $284,200 |
| Roca | 242 | $100,000 | 0.8% | $231,300 |
| Panama | 232 | $94,514 | 3.5% | $197,800 |
Cities Similar to Lincoln
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 488,837 | $73,201 | $245,500 | 40.1% | 13.5% |
| Bellevue | 64,510 | $85,462 | $247,000 | 34.4% | 7.8% |
| Grand Island | 52,884 | $63,795 | $218,600 | 20.9% | 15.2% |
| Kearney | 34,246 | $69,724 | $244,600 | 36.5% | 12.4% |
| Fremont | 27,567 | $71,152 | $214,700 | 21.9% | 11.6% |
Population Overview
Lincoln is a major urban center located in Nebraska, within Lancaster County. The total population is 294,856. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lincoln is 33.4 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lincoln is $71,867. This is 6% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 11% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 20% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 10% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $264,000. Housing costs are 11% higher than the state median of $238,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 56.1% 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 is White (non-Hispanic), making up 76.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 9.0%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.4% vs 2.6%).
Education
41.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Lincoln in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 21% 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 93.2%. Notably, 15.3% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lincoln, 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.
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, Nebraska?
Lincoln, Nebraska has a population of 294,856 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lincoln, NE?
The median household income in Lincoln is $71,867, which is 11% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lincoln, NE?
The poverty rate in Lincoln is 12.7%. This means approximately 35,893 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lincoln, Nebraska?
Lincoln's population is 76.3% White, 4.1% Black, 9.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lincoln, NE?
The median home value in Lincoln is $264,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Lincoln, Nebraska?
41.8% of adults (25+) in Lincoln hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 15.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.