Ponca city, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Ponca city is a small community located in Nebraska, within Dixon County. The total population is 707. It ranks as the 165th most populous out of 584 cities and towns in Nebraska.

Age Demographics

The median age in Ponca city is 42.6 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 37.1 years. 18.0% 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 Ponca city is $53,077. This is 29% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 2.6%. This is 75% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 1% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $173,800. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $223,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.3x. 71.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Ponca city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 90.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.8%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.8%) is well below the state average of 12.3%.

Education

24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 27% lower than the state rate of 34.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Ponca city, Nebraska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 584 Census-designated places in Nebraska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.