Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Scotts Bluff County is located in Nebraska with a total population of 35,937. It is the 7th most populous county out of 93 in Nebraska. The county encompasses 3 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Scotts Bluff County is 39.8 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 37.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Scotts Bluff County is $60,960. This is 19% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 22% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.9%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.4%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $161,400. Housing costs are 28% lower than the state median of $223,800. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Scotts Bluff County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Scotts Bluff County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 71.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 23.4%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (23.4% vs 12.3%). The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.

Education

25.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 89.5%.