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Sheridan County, Nebraska Demographics 2026

Sheridan County, Nebraska has a population of 5,014, the 55th most populous county in Nebraska. The median household income is $60,121 and the median home value is $113,400. The poverty rate is 11.3%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Sheridan County Quick Facts

Population 5,014
Median Household Income $60,121
Median Home Value $113,400
Poverty Rate 11.3%
Unemployment Rate 2.0%
Median Age 46.1 years
Homeownership Rate 74.2%
Affordability Ratio 1.9x
Bachelor's Degree+ 24.2%
High School Graduation 90.4%
Cities/Places 4
Population 5,014 55th of 93
Median Income $60,121 21% lower than state
Poverty Rate 11.3%
Unemployment 2.0%

How Sheridan County Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population5,0585,014-0.9%
Median household income$56,900$60,121+5.7%
Median home value$102,900$113,400+10.2%

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 16.8%
$25K-$50K 20.3%
$50K-$100K 36.6%
$100K+ 26.3%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.3%
$10K-$15K
3.4%
$15K-$20K
5.3%
$20K-$25K
3.8%
$25K-$30K
5.1%
$30K-$35K
5.4%
$35K-$40K
2.2%
$40K-$45K
1.8%
$45K-$50K
5.8%
$50K-$60K
12.7%
$60K-$75K
9.7%
$75K-$100K
14.1%
$100K-$125K
7.7%
$125K-$150K
6.3%
$150K-$200K
6.9%
$200K+
5.4%

Employment

2.0% Unemployment Rate State: 3.0%|National: 5.2%
58.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 74.2%
Renter 25.8%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
1.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $738/mo 14.7% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

34out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 41 | National average: 61

Education

Cities & Places in Sheridan County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Gordon1,721$59,22614.1%$97,400
Rushville877$53,95812.3%$98,400
Hay Springs649$57,0319.1%$87,900
Clinton66$56,96413.6%N/A

Population Overview

Sheridan County is located in Nebraska with a total population of 5,014. It is the 55th most populous county out of 93 in Nebraska. The county encompasses 4 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Sheridan County is 46.1 years. This is 24% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 12.3% 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 Sheridan County is $60,121. This is 21% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 6% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 35% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $113,400. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Sheridan County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 74.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Sheridan County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.4%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.4%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.

Education

24.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 90.4%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for Sheridan County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Nebraska and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Sheridan County, Nebraska?

Sheridan County has a population of 5,014, making it the 55th most populous county in Nebraska.

What is the median income in Sheridan County?

The median household income in Sheridan County is $60,121 with a poverty rate of 11.3%.

How many cities are in Sheridan County, Nebraska?

Sheridan County contains 4 Census-designated places.