Wayne, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wayne, Nebraska had a total population of 6,121, the 31st largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $53,702, which is 30% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 35.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Nebraska.
Wayne Quick Facts
How Wayne 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 | 6,055 | 6,121 | +1.1% |
| Median household income | $52,804 | $53,702 | +1.7% |
| Median home value | $198,600 | $228,900 | +15.3% |
How Wayne 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+)
Wayne Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Wayne County
Cities Similar to Wayne
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sidney | 6,419 | $54,734 | $139,400 | 19.5% | 16.2% |
| Holdrege | 5,546 | $55,789 | $198,900 | 30.1% | 16.6% |
| Offutt AFB | 6,074 | $72,500 | N/A | 25.9% | 6.6% |
| Chadron | 5,160 | $54,590 | $153,800 | 43.6% | 13.2% |
| Ralston | 6,472 | $69,403 | $230,800 | 26.8% | 4.0% |
Population Overview
Wayne is a small city located in Nebraska, within Wayne County. The total population is 6,121. It ranks as the 31st most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wayne is 23.2 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 37.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wayne is $53,702. This is 30% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.9%. This is 88% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 115% higher than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $228,900. Housing costs are 4% lower than the state median of $238,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 42.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wayne is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.2% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 13.6%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
35.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Wayne in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 3% 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 94.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wayne, 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 Wayne, Nebraska?
Wayne, Nebraska has a population of 6,121 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wayne, NE?
The median household income in Wayne is $53,702, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wayne, NE?
The poverty rate in Wayne is 19.9%. This means approximately 935 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wayne, Nebraska?
Wayne's population is 81.2% White, 1.6% Black, 13.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wayne, NE?
The median home value in Wayne is $228,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Wayne, Nebraska?
35.6% of adults (25+) in Wayne hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.