Stella, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Stella, Nebraska had a total population of 126, the 419th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $56,250, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
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 1.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 14.8% is notably above the national average.
Stella Quick Facts
How Stella 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 | 138 | 126 | -8.7% |
| Median household income | $53,750 | $56,250 | +4.7% |
| Median home value | $80,000 | $62,500 | -21.9% |
How Stella 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+)
Stella Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Richardson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Falls City | 4,077 | $51,706 | 11.4% | $89,800 |
| Humboldt | 775 | $41,786 | 14.4% | $67,500 |
| Shubert | 214 | $37,500 | 8.5% | $61,300 |
| Verdon | 185 | $78,750 | 11.9% | $55,000 |
| Dawson | 166 | $60,913 | 3.7% | N/A |
| Rulo | 164 | $45,625 | 9.2% | $94,600 |
| Salem | 102 | N/A | 8.8% | $42,500 |
| Barada | 35 | N/A | 8.6% | $69,000 |
| Preston | 16 | $50,417 | 0.0% | $103,100 |
Cities Similar to Stella
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elk Creek | 122 | $55,625 | $40,000 | 13.8% | 27.1% |
| Page | 120 | $56,250 | $94,300 | 20.9% | 8.3% |
| Kilgore | 135 | N/A | $48,900 | 5.8% | 5.3% |
| Aten | 136 | N/A | N/A | 42.0% | 3.7% |
| Jansen | 123 | $65,625 | $60,000 | 7.2% | 20.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 126, Stella'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
Stella is a small community located in Nebraska, within Richardson County. The total population is 126. It ranks as the 419th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Stella is 54.8 years. This is 47% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. Only 11.9% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 23.8% 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 Stella is $56,250. 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 8.7%. This is 18% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 14.8%. This is 387% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $62,500. Housing costs are 74% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.1x, Stella is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Stella has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
30.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 98.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Stella, 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 Stella, Nebraska?
Stella, Nebraska has a population of 126 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Stella, NE?
The median household income in Stella is $56,250, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Stella, NE?
The poverty rate in Stella is 8.7%. This means approximately 11 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Stella, Nebraska?
Stella's population is 93.7% White, 0.0% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Stella, NE?
The median home value in Stella is $62,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.1x.
How educated is Stella, Nebraska?
30.8% of adults (25+) in Stella hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.