Wauneta, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wauneta, Nebraska had a total population of 531, the 207th largest village in Nebraska, with a median household income of $47,143, which is 38% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 38% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Wauneta Quick Facts
How Wauneta 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 | 515 | 531 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $46,518 | $47,143 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $86,300 | $88,100 | +2.1% |
How Wauneta 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+)
Wauneta Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Chase County
Cities Similar to Wauneta
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coleridge | 553 | $46,818 | $87,100 | 9.9% | 13.4% |
| Sargent | 534 | $54,423 | $57,900 | 19.0% | 10.7% |
| Edgar | 501 | $50,625 | $95,000 | 24.8% | 16.4% |
| Walton | 579 | $48,088 | $464,000 | 24.6% | 2.1% |
| Callaway | 562 | $51,146 | $149,100 | 27.9% | 8.7% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 531, Wauneta'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
Wauneta is a small community located in Nebraska, within Chase County. The total population is 531. It ranks as the 207th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wauneta is 54.7 years. This is 47% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. 20.3% 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 Wauneta is $47,143. This is 38% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.6%. This is 56% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. This is 33% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $88,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Wauneta is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Wauneta has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 12.7%.
Education
16.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 51% 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 96.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wauneta, 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 Wauneta, Nebraska?
Wauneta, Nebraska has a population of 531 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wauneta, NE?
The median household income in Wauneta is $47,143, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wauneta, NE?
The poverty rate in Wauneta is 16.6%. This means approximately 85 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wauneta, Nebraska?
Wauneta's population is 92.7% White, 0.0% Black, 1.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wauneta, NE?
The median home value in Wauneta is $88,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Wauneta, Nebraska?
16.9% of adults (25+) in Wauneta hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.