Scottsbluff, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Scottsbluff, Nebraska had a total population of 14,376, the 13th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $56,359, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.4%.
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.
Scottsbluff Quick Facts
How Scottsbluff 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 | 14,406 | 14,376 | -0.2% |
| Median household income | $53,448 | $56,359 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $141,300 | $137,700 | -2.5% |
How Scottsbluff 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Scottsbluff Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Scotts Bluff County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gering | 8,550 | $75,093 | 12.4% | $186,500 |
| Mitchell | 1,962 | $54,150 | 11.1% | $122,300 |
| Morrill | 880 | $47,143 | 15.7% | $141,400 |
| Terrytown | 793 | $43,618 | 31.4% | $114,100 |
| Minatare | 712 | $38,125 | 23.6% | $80,500 |
| Lyman | 291 | $55,047 | 20.3% | $68,300 |
| Melbeta | 146 | $47,000 | 10.3% | $90,000 |
| Henry | 94 | $79,750 | 3.2% | $92,500 |
| McGrew | 67 | $35,833 | 13.4% | $68,800 |
Cities Similar to Scottsbluff
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Sioux City | 13,907 | $68,223 | $174,700 | 15.5% | 12.2% |
| Beatrice | 12,225 | $57,264 | $159,300 | 21.3% | 17.4% |
| La Vista | 16,563 | $81,961 | $260,900 | 35.8% | 7.5% |
| Lexington | 10,862 | $67,666 | $159,100 | 13.1% | 13.8% |
| North Platte | 22,831 | $58,097 | $169,100 | 20.8% | 15.4% |
Population Overview
Scottsbluff is a small city located in Nebraska, within Scotts Bluff County. The total population is 14,376. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Scottsbluff is 38.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Scottsbluff is $56,359. This is 26% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.4%. This is 46% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $137,700. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Scottsbluff is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 59.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Scottsbluff is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 30.8%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (30.8% vs 12.7%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
26.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 24% 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 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Scottsbluff, 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.
Free data download: Get all Nebraska city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Scottsbluff, Nebraska?
Scottsbluff, Nebraska has a population of 14,376 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Scottsbluff, NE?
The median household income in Scottsbluff is $56,359, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Scottsbluff, NE?
The poverty rate in Scottsbluff is 15.4%. This means approximately 2,161 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Scottsbluff, Nebraska?
Scottsbluff's population is 64.9% White, 0.3% Black, 30.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Scottsbluff, NE?
The median home value in Scottsbluff is $137,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.4x.
How educated is Scottsbluff, Nebraska?
26.3% of adults (25+) in Scottsbluff hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.