Orleans, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Orleans, Nebraska had a total population of 337, the 266th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $62,250, which is 19% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Orleans Quick Facts
How Orleans 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 | 335 | 337 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $60,000 | $62,250 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $55,000 | $64,400 | +17.1% |
How Orleans 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+)
Orleans Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Harlan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alma | 1,154 | $75,703 | 4.2% | $163,800 |
| Stamford | 178 | $29,519 | 30.9% | $49,300 |
| Republican City | 92 | $45,625 | 16.3% | $187,500 |
| Huntley | 24 | $237,917 | 0.0% | $162,500 |
| Ragan | 12 | N/A | 16.7% | $70,000 |
Cities Similar to Orleans
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johnson | 339 | $59,875 | $107,800 | 28.2% | 10.6% |
| Wilcox | 336 | $66,250 | $109,800 | 23.9% | 7.8% |
| Bartley | 352 | N/A | $86,600 | 10.2% | 5.4% |
| Clatonia | 326 | $60,208 | $126,100 | 13.7% | 8.3% |
| Palisade | 321 | $62,813 | $81,300 | 15.5% | 9.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 337, Orleans'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
Orleans is a small community located in Nebraska, within Harlan County. The total population is 337. It ranks as the 266th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Orleans is 49.4 years. This is 33% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 16.0% 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 Orleans is $62,250. This is 19% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.1%. This is 43% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 0.7%. This is 77% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $64,400. Housing costs are 73% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.0x, Orleans is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 79.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Orleans has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.9%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.9%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
24.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 Orleans, 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 Orleans, Nebraska?
Orleans, Nebraska has a population of 337 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Orleans, NE?
The median household income in Orleans is $62,250, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Orleans, NE?
The poverty rate in Orleans is 15.1%. This means approximately 51 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Orleans, Nebraska?
Orleans's population is 94.4% White, 0.6% Black, 3.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Orleans, NE?
The median home value in Orleans is $64,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.0x.
How educated is Orleans, Nebraska?
24.3% of adults (25+) in Orleans hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.