Wayne city, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Wayne city, Nebraska has a total population of 6,055, the 31st largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $52,804, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Key Takeaways
- 34.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
Wayne city Quick Facts
How Wayne city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wayne city Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Cities Similar to Wayne city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney city | 6,396 | $51,704 | $137,300 | 19.3% | 12.1% |
| Holdrege city | 5,503 | $55,263 | $166,600 | 25.2% | 18.7% |
| Chadron city | 5,207 | $54,026 | $153,300 | 41.4% | 13.8% |
| Ralston city | 6,445 | $65,557 | $215,800 | 27.0% | 7.6% |
| Offutt AFB CDP | 5,663 | $67,803 | N/A | 26.6% | 6.9% |
Population Overview
Wayne city is a small city located in Nebraska. The total population is 6,055. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 584 cities and towns in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wayne city is 23.1 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 37.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wayne city is $52,804. This is 30% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 93% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $198,600. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $223,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x. 55.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wayne city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.3%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
34.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wayne city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is about average than the state rate of 34.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wayne city, Nebraska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 584 Census-designated places in Nebraska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wayne city, Nebraska?
Wayne city, Nebraska has a population of 6,055 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wayne city, NE?
The median household income in Wayne city is $52,804, which is 33% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Wayne city, NE?
The poverty rate in Wayne city is 19.9%. This means approximately 910 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wayne city, Nebraska?
Wayne city's population is 81.7% White, 1.5% Black, 13.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wayne city, NE?
The median home value in Wayne city is $198,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.8x.
How educated is Wayne city, Nebraska?
34.0% of adults (25+) in Wayne city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.