Surprise, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Surprise, Nebraska had a total population of 35, the 533rd largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $112,083, which is 47% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Nebraska.
Surprise Quick Facts
How Surprise 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 | 41 | 35 | -14.6% |
| Median household income | $106,563 | $112,083 | +5.2% |
How Surprise 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Surprise Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Butler County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David City | 3,017 | $65,573 | 15.0% | $165,200 |
| Bellwood | 492 | $72,639 | 8.7% | $147,900 |
| Brainard | 303 | $68,750 | 6.9% | $172,800 |
| Rising City | 256 | $90,139 | 9.4% | $135,900 |
| Dwight | 230 | $71,042 | 3.9% | $154,600 |
| Ulysses | 190 | $76,458 | 14.7% | $36,300 |
| Octavia | 153 | $59,375 | 31.4% | $100,000 |
| Bruno | 104 | $37,212 | 12.5% | N/A |
| Linwood | 80 | $32,500 | 15.0% | N/A |
| Garrison | 61 | $65,000 | 4.9% | $65,800 |
Cities Similar to Surprise
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barada | 35 | N/A | $69,000 | 10.7% | 8.6% |
| Belvidere | 35 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 28.6% |
| Martin | 35 | N/A | $206,300 | 0.0% | 25.7% |
| Norman | 36 | N/A | $85,000 | 16.0% | 0.0% |
| Lebanon | 33 | N/A | $61,900 | 17.9% | 21.2% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 35, Surprise'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
Surprise is a small community located in Nebraska, within Butler County. The total population is 35. It ranks as the 533rd most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Surprise is 52.3 years. This is 41% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 28.6% 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 Surprise is $112,083. This is 47% higher than the state median of $76,475. It is also 39% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.4%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Surprise, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 50% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Surprise is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.9% vs 4.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (22.9% vs 12.7%).
Education
18.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Surprise, 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 Surprise, Nebraska?
Surprise, Nebraska has a population of 35 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Surprise, NE?
The median household income in Surprise is $112,083, which is 39% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Surprise, NE?
The poverty rate in Surprise is 11.4%. This means approximately 4 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Surprise, Nebraska?
Surprise's population is 54.3% White, 22.9% Black, 22.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Surprise, NE?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Surprise — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Surprise, Nebraska?
18.5% of adults (25+) in Surprise hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.