Valentine, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valentine, Nebraska had a total population of 2,633, the 55th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $56,898, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Valentine Quick Facts
How Valentine 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 | 2,632 | 2,633 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $53,438 | $56,898 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $135,600 | $148,600 | +9.6% |
How Valentine 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+)
Valentine Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Cherry County
Cities Similar to Valentine
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Paul | 2,758 | $62,212 | $203,300 | 29.1% | 3.9% |
| Dakota City | 2,675 | $76,806 | $177,800 | 9.0% | 7.3% |
| Kimball | 2,225 | $56,174 | $112,100 | 16.1% | 14.9% |
| David City | 3,017 | $65,573 | $165,200 | 32.7% | 15.0% |
| Milford | 2,565 | $82,699 | $228,200 | 28.4% | 7.2% |
Population Overview
Valentine is a small community located in Nebraska, within Cherry County. The total population is 2,633. It ranks as the 55th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valentine is 37.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.2 years. 12.0% 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 Valentine is $56,898. 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 9.1%. This is 14% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Valentine, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $148,600. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Valentine is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Valentine is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.6% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.0%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (5.0%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
25.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% 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 95.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valentine, 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 Valentine, Nebraska?
Valentine, Nebraska has a population of 2,633 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valentine, NE?
The median household income in Valentine is $56,898, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valentine, NE?
The poverty rate in Valentine is 9.1%. This means approximately 235 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valentine, Nebraska?
Valentine's population is 77.6% White, 0.9% Black, 5.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valentine, NE?
The median home value in Valentine is $148,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Valentine, Nebraska?
25.7% of adults (25+) in Valentine hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.