Nelson, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Nelson, Nebraska had a total population of 487, the 216th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $50,000, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
Nelson Quick Facts
How Nelson 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 | 478 | 487 | +1.9% |
| Median household income | $54,408 | $50,000 | -8.1% |
| Median home value | $72,900 | $71,700 | -1.6% |
How Nelson 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+)
Nelson Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Nuckolls County
Cities Similar to Nelson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullen | 478 | $50,750 | $85,400 | 28.1% | 5.5% |
| Edgar | 501 | $50,625 | $95,000 | 24.8% | 16.4% |
| Trenton | 487 | $45,000 | $69,200 | 22.4% | 13.6% |
| Cedar Rapids | 493 | $54,519 | $79,600 | 16.1% | 11.4% |
| Decatur | 482 | $55,313 | $104,800 | 13.1% | 13.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 487, Nelson'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
Nelson is a small community located in Nebraska, within Nuckolls County. The total population is 487. It ranks as the 216th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Nelson is 62.0 years. This is 67% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 7.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 20.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Nelson is $50,000. This is 35% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.5%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Nelson, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $71,700. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Nelson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 28% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Nelson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 14.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 4.6%.
Education
23.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 33% 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 92.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Nelson, 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 Nelson, Nebraska?
Nelson, Nebraska has a population of 487 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Nelson, NE?
The median household income in Nelson is $50,000, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Nelson, NE?
The poverty rate in Nelson is 8.5%. This means approximately 41 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Nelson, Nebraska?
Nelson's population is 79.5% White, 0.2% Black, 14.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Nelson, NE?
The median home value in Nelson is $71,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Nelson, Nebraska?
23.2% of adults (25+) in Nelson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.