Red Cloud, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Red Cloud, Nebraska had a total population of 934, the 129th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $45,909, which is 40% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 40% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
Red Cloud Quick Facts
How Red Cloud 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 | 991 | 934 | -5.8% |
| Median household income | $50,536 | $45,909 | -9.2% |
| Median home value | $64,800 | $74,200 | +14.5% |
How Red Cloud 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+)
Red Cloud Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Webster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Hill | 782 | $62,813 | 13.7% | $166,200 |
| Guide Rock | 286 | $39,444 | 24.8% | $44,400 |
| Bladen | 166 | $66,875 | 2.4% | $72,500 |
| Inavale | 41 | $61,071 | 21.9% | $58,600 |
| Cowles | 8 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Red Cloud
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyons | 900 | $45,129 | $104,300 | 19.3% | 19.8% |
| Bloomfield | 959 | $50,083 | $92,800 | 18.0% | 16.3% |
| Morrill | 880 | $47,143 | $141,400 | 16.4% | 15.7% |
| Benkelman | 905 | $42,188 | $114,500 | 19.9% | 19.0% |
| Franklin | 946 | $53,375 | $89,200 | 18.7% | 14.6% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 934, Red Cloud'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
Red Cloud is a small community located in Nebraska, within Webster County. The total population is 934. It ranks as the 129th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Red Cloud is 49.2 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 13.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 10.8% 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 Red Cloud is $45,909. This is 40% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.2%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Red Cloud, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $74,200. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Red Cloud is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 65.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Red Cloud has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 6.4%.
Education
15.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Red Cloud, 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 Red Cloud, Nebraska?
Red Cloud, Nebraska has a population of 934 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Red Cloud, NE?
The median household income in Red Cloud is $45,909, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Red Cloud, NE?
The poverty rate in Red Cloud is 12.2%. This means approximately 108 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Red Cloud, Nebraska?
Red Cloud's population is 86.4% White, 0.0% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Red Cloud, NE?
The median home value in Red Cloud is $74,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Red Cloud, Nebraska?
15.5% of adults (25+) in Red Cloud hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.