Valley, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Valley, Nebraska had a total population of 3,174, the 47th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $110,200, which is 44% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Nebraska.
- 51.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Valley Quick Facts
How Valley 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 | 3,113 | 3,174 | +2.0% |
| Median household income | $106,750 | $110,200 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $515,100 | $528,100 | +2.5% |
How Valley 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+)
Valley Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Douglas County
Cities Similar to Valley
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickman | 3,004 | $104,375 | $311,700 | 43.2% | 2.6% |
| Ashland | 3,071 | $89,408 | $249,700 | 36.0% | 4.3% |
| Central City | 3,061 | $73,229 | $165,300 | 20.0% | 4.2% |
| Gothenburg | 3,452 | $79,219 | $191,000 | 24.6% | 10.1% |
| Minden | 3,108 | $68,449 | $208,500 | 28.2% | 4.8% |
Population Overview
Valley is a small community located in Nebraska, within Douglas County. The total population is 3,174. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Valley is 50.2 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Valley is $110,200. This is 44% higher than the state median of $76,475. It is also 36% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.3%. This is 50% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $528,100. Housing costs are 121% higher than the state median of $238,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x. 74.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Valley has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.6%. The Black or African American population (1.3%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (3.6%) is well below the state average of 12.7%. The Asian population (1.0%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
51.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Valley in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 48% 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 98.5%. Notably, 22.1% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Valley, 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 Valley, Nebraska?
Valley, Nebraska has a population of 3,174 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Valley, NE?
The median household income in Valley is $110,200, which is 36% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Valley, NE?
The poverty rate in Valley is 5.3%. This means approximately 166 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Valley, Nebraska?
Valley's population is 91.8% White, 1.3% Black, 3.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Valley, NE?
The median home value in Valley is $528,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.8x.
How educated is Valley, Nebraska?
51.2% of adults (25+) in Valley hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.