Melbeta, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Melbeta, Nebraska had a total population of 146, the 399th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $47,000, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 6.5% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Melbeta Quick Facts
How Melbeta 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 | 149 | 146 | -2.0% |
| Median household income | $47,083 | $47,000 | -0.2% |
| Median home value | $70,000 | $90,000 | +28.6% |
How Melbeta 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+)
Melbeta Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Scotts Bluff County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Scottsbluff | 14,376 | $56,359 | 15.4% | $137,700 |
| Gering | 8,550 | $75,093 | 12.4% | $186,500 |
| Mitchell | 1,962 | $54,150 | 11.1% | $122,300 |
| Morrill | 880 | $47,143 | 15.7% | $141,400 |
| Terrytown | 793 | $43,618 | 31.4% | $114,100 |
| Minatare | 712 | $38,125 | 23.6% | $80,500 |
| Lyman | 291 | $55,047 | 20.3% | $68,300 |
| Henry | 94 | $79,750 | 3.2% | $92,500 |
| McGrew | 67 | $35,833 | 13.4% | $68,800 |
Cities Similar to Melbeta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Du Bois | 145 | N/A | $55,000 | 7.2% | 17.5% |
| Hyannis | 145 | N/A | $79,400 | 26.0% | 12.4% |
| Cheney | 144 | N/A | $167,200 | 12.8% | 0.0% |
| Elsie | 139 | $48,333 | $70,000 | 15.0% | 12.3% |
| Taylor | 142 | $50,833 | $73,300 | 11.8% | 11.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 146, Melbeta's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Melbeta is a small community located in Nebraska, within Scotts Bluff County. The total population is 146. It ranks as the 399th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Melbeta is 55.8 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 11.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Melbeta is $47,000. This is 39% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 3% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 7.1%. This is 136% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $90,000. Housing costs are 62% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Melbeta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Melbeta is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 20.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (20.5% vs 12.7%).
Education
6.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 81% 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 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Melbeta, 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 Melbeta, Nebraska?
Melbeta, Nebraska has a population of 146 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Melbeta, NE?
The median household income in Melbeta is $47,000, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Melbeta, NE?
The poverty rate in Melbeta is 10.3%. This means approximately 15 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Melbeta, Nebraska?
Melbeta's population is 78.8% White, 0.0% Black, 20.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Melbeta, NE?
The median home value in Melbeta is $90,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Melbeta, Nebraska?
6.5% of adults (25+) in Melbeta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.