Waverly, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Waverly, Nebraska had a total population of 4,440, the 38th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $111,632, which is 46% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 0.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Nebraska.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 0.5% — among the lowest in Nebraska.
- 40.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
Waverly Quick Facts
How Waverly 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 | 4,363 | 4,440 | +1.8% |
| Median household income | $110,000 | $111,632 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $290,000 | $316,600 | +9.2% |
How Waverly 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+)
Waverly Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Lancaster County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 294,856 | $71,867 | 12.7% | $264,000 |
| Hickman | 3,004 | $104,375 | 2.6% | $311,700 |
| Bennet | 1,218 | $105,859 | 5.1% | $272,400 |
| Firth | 604 | $80,938 | 7.3% | $221,600 |
| Walton | 579 | $48,088 | 2.1% | $464,000 |
| Malcolm | 480 | $85,625 | 18.4% | $263,200 |
| Hallam | 346 | $98,214 | 2.9% | $287,900 |
| Yankee Hill | 250 | $71,597 | 0.4% | $284,200 |
| Roca | 242 | $100,000 | 0.8% | $231,300 |
| Panama | 232 | $94,514 | 3.5% | $197,800 |
Cities Similar to Waverly
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wahoo | 4,929 | $89,457 | $243,600 | 37.1% | 14.2% |
| Aurora | 4,664 | $77,679 | $233,900 | 33.8% | 4.8% |
| Valley | 3,174 | $110,200 | $528,100 | 51.2% | 5.3% |
| Ogallala | 4,777 | $58,556 | $155,800 | 25.3% | 12.4% |
| Gothenburg | 3,452 | $79,219 | $191,000 | 24.6% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Waverly is a small community located in Nebraska, within Lancaster County. The total population is 4,440. It ranks as the 38th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Waverly is 38.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 37.2 years. With 31.4% of the population under 18, Waverly has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Waverly is $111,632. This is 46% higher than the state median of $76,475. It is also 38% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 0.5%. This is 95% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The survey records no unemployed residents in Waverly, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $316,600. Housing costs are 33% higher than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Waverly is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Waverly has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.1% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.7%.
Education
40.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Waverly in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 18% 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 98.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Waverly, 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 Waverly, Nebraska?
Waverly, Nebraska has a population of 4,440 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Waverly, NE?
The median household income in Waverly is $111,632, which is 38% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Waverly, NE?
The poverty rate in Waverly is 0.5%. This means approximately 21 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Waverly, Nebraska?
Waverly's population is 88.1% White, 0.0% Black, 7.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Waverly, NE?
The median home value in Waverly is $316,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Waverly, Nebraska?
40.9% of adults (25+) in Waverly hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.