McCook, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, McCook, Nebraska had a total population of 7,314, the 26th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $56,917, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.4%.
McCook Quick Facts
How McCook 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 | 7,360 | 7,314 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $51,815 | $56,917 | +9.8% |
| Median home value | $137,400 | $154,300 | +12.3% |
How McCook 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+)
McCook Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Red Willow County
Cities Similar to McCook
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska City | 7,369 | $67,117 | $162,000 | 24.6% | 12.1% |
| Sidney | 6,419 | $54,734 | $139,400 | 19.5% | 16.2% |
| York | 8,141 | $63,265 | $180,900 | 27.5% | 11.5% |
| Alliance | 8,075 | $65,160 | $161,800 | 18.1% | 12.8% |
| Seward | 7,678 | $72,564 | $244,600 | 38.6% | 9.6% |
Population Overview
McCook is a small city located in Nebraska, within Red Willow County. The total population is 7,314. It ranks as the 26th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in McCook is 41.2 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in McCook is $56,917. This is 26% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 63% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.4%. This is 52% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $154,300. Housing costs are 35% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, McCook is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 66.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
McCook has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.9%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
25.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 92.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for McCook, 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 McCook, Nebraska?
McCook, Nebraska has a population of 7,314 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in McCook, NE?
The median household income in McCook is $56,917, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in McCook, NE?
The poverty rate in McCook is 17.3%. This means approximately 1,205 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of McCook, Nebraska?
McCook's population is 87.2% White, 1.0% Black, 6.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in McCook, NE?
The median home value in McCook is $154,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is McCook, Nebraska?
25.5% of adults (25+) in McCook hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.