Seward, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Seward, Nebraska had a total population of 7,678, the 23rd largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $72,564, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 38.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.7%.
Seward Quick Facts
How Seward 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 | 7,665 | 7,678 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $70,000 | $72,564 | +3.7% |
| Median home value | $232,500 | $244,600 | +5.2% |
How Seward 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+)
Seward Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Seward County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 2,565 | $82,699 | 7.2% | $228,200 |
| Utica | 1,015 | $88,304 | 7.2% | $188,700 |
| Beaver Crossing | 357 | $62,813 | 15.5% | $142,600 |
| Staplehurst | 322 | $83,060 | 4.3% | $86,000 |
| Goehner | 309 | $96,767 | 0.7% | $158,100 |
| Bee | 281 | $99,688 | 2.5% | $150,000 |
| Pleasant Dale | 244 | $64,250 | 11.9% | $177,800 |
| Garland | 180 | $51,979 | 4.4% | $185,000 |
| Cordova | 131 | $49,250 | 12.2% | $78,700 |
| Tamora | 12 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Seward
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crete | 7,527 | $77,209 | $223,500 | 18.4% | 11.6% |
| Nebraska City | 7,369 | $67,117 | $162,000 | 24.6% | 12.1% |
| Blair | 7,914 | $81,452 | $221,500 | 32.8% | 7.8% |
| Alliance | 8,075 | $65,160 | $161,800 | 18.1% | 12.8% |
| Gering | 8,550 | $75,093 | $186,500 | 32.6% | 12.4% |
Population Overview
Seward is a small city located in Nebraska, within Seward County. The total population is 7,678. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Seward is 32.0 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Seward is $72,564. This is 5% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.6%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 1.7%. This is 44% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $244,600. Housing costs are 3% higher than the state median of $238,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x. 60.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 9% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Seward has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.3%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.3%) is well below the state average of 12.7%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
38.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Seward in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 11% higher 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Seward, 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 Seward, Nebraska?
Seward, Nebraska has a population of 7,678 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Seward, NE?
The median household income in Seward is $72,564, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Seward, NE?
The poverty rate in Seward is 9.6%. This means approximately 648 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Seward, Nebraska?
Seward's population is 93.2% White, 0.6% Black, 4.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Seward, NE?
The median home value in Seward is $244,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.4x.
How educated is Seward, Nebraska?
38.6% of adults (25+) in Seward hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.