Pender, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pender, Nebraska had a total population of 1,379, the 94th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $73,125, which is 4% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.4%.
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 2.4x.
Pender Quick Facts
How Pender 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 | 1,262 | 1,379 | +9.3% |
| Median household income | $67,419 | $73,125 | +8.5% |
| Median home value | $165,900 | $175,000 | +5.5% |
How Pender 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+)
Pender Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Thurston County
Cities Similar to Pender
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | 1,413 | $71,389 | $154,600 | 28.8% | 8.4% |
| Atkinson | 1,377 | $79,375 | $174,200 | 34.7% | 7.8% |
| Shelton | 1,389 | $81,278 | $142,100 | 17.8% | 6.8% |
| Ravenna | 1,382 | $64,423 | $135,900 | 16.4% | 12.6% |
| Weeping Water | 1,407 | $83,750 | $185,800 | 20.9% | 6.0% |
Population Overview
Pender is a small community located in Nebraska, within Thurston County. The total population is 1,379. It ranks as the 94th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pender is 36.0 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pender is $73,125. This is 4% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.4%. This is 11% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 30% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $175,000. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Pender is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pender is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.4%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
31.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 9% 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 95.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pender, 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 Pender, Nebraska?
Pender, Nebraska has a population of 1,379 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pender, NE?
The median household income in Pender is $73,125, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pender, NE?
The poverty rate in Pender is 9.4%. This means approximately 127 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pender, Nebraska?
Pender's population is 82.7% White, 0.4% Black, 8.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pender, NE?
The median home value in Pender is $175,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Pender, Nebraska?
31.5% of adults (25+) in Pender hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.