Norfolk, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Norfolk, Nebraska had a total population of 26,054, the 7th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $58,884, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Norfolk Quick Facts
How Norfolk 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 | 25,962 | 26,054 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $62,175 | $58,884 | -5.3% |
| Median home value | $199,100 | $211,700 | +6.3% |
How Norfolk 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+)
Norfolk Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | 2,079 | $62,738 | 14.9% | $133,200 |
| Battle Creek | 1,456 | $95,536 | 6.7% | $194,300 |
| Tilden | 936 | $69,118 | 13.6% | $156,500 |
| Newman Grove | 885 | $54,861 | 15.4% | $100,000 |
| Meadow Grove | 174 | $49,063 | 6.3% | $67,500 |
Cities Similar to Norfolk
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings | 25,008 | $64,048 | $184,700 | 29.2% | 14.8% |
| Columbus | 24,488 | $64,626 | $213,600 | 21.8% | 11.3% |
| North Platte | 22,831 | $58,097 | $169,100 | 20.8% | 15.4% |
| Fremont | 27,567 | $71,152 | $214,700 | 21.9% | 11.6% |
| Papillion | 25,244 | $111,679 | $311,000 | 47.9% | 5.3% |
Population Overview
Norfolk is a mid-sized community located in Nebraska, within Madison County. The total population is 26,054. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Norfolk is 37.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Norfolk is $58,884. This is 23% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.3%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 5% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $211,700. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $238,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 60.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Norfolk is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.5%. The Black or African American population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
24.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Norfolk, 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 Norfolk, Nebraska?
Norfolk, Nebraska has a population of 26,054 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Norfolk, NE?
The median household income in Norfolk is $58,884, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Norfolk, NE?
The poverty rate in Norfolk is 14.3%. This means approximately 3,633 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Norfolk, Nebraska?
Norfolk's population is 77.9% White, 1.0% Black, 15.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Norfolk, NE?
The median home value in Norfolk is $211,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x.
How educated is Norfolk, Nebraska?
24.0% of adults (25+) in Norfolk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.