Wood River, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wood River, Nebraska had a total population of 1,494, the 84th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $75,417, which is 1% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.4%.
Wood River Quick Facts
How Wood River 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 | 1,426 | 1,494 | +4.8% |
| Median household income | $76,591 | $75,417 | -1.5% |
| Median home value | $131,400 | $151,200 | +15.1% |
How Wood River 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Wood River Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Hall County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Island | 52,884 | $63,795 | 15.2% | $218,600 |
| Shelton | 1,389 | $81,278 | 6.8% | $142,100 |
| Cairo | 1,035 | $54,511 | 10.0% | $193,000 |
| Doniphan | 983 | $87,212 | 7.0% | $211,100 |
| Alda | 651 | $57,500 | 28.0% | $106,500 |
Cities Similar to Wood River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bayard | 1,531 | $68,333 | $109,800 | 23.9% | 9.9% |
| Grant | 1,413 | $71,389 | $154,600 | 28.8% | 8.4% |
| Oakland | 1,552 | $68,900 | $151,700 | 26.1% | 10.9% |
| Pender | 1,379 | $73,125 | $175,000 | 31.5% | 9.4% |
| Atkinson | 1,377 | $79,375 | $174,200 | 34.7% | 7.8% |
Population Overview
Wood River is a small community located in Nebraska, within Hall County. The total population is 1,494. It ranks as the 84th most populous out of 583 Census-designated places in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wood River is 37.3 years. This is about the same as the state median of 37.2 years. With 29.6% of the population under 18, Wood River has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community. 11.5% 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 Wood River is $75,417. This is 1% lower than the state median of $76,475. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.6%. The unemployment rate is 0.4%. This is 86% lower than the state rate of 3.0%. The median home value is $151,200. Housing costs are 37% lower than the state median of $238,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Wood River is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 24% higher than the state average of 66.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wood River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.0% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 25.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (25.6% vs 12.7%).
Education
17.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% 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 93.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wood River, 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.
Free data download: Get all Nebraska city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Wood River, Nebraska?
Wood River, Nebraska has a population of 1,494 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wood River, NE?
The median household income in Wood River is $75,417, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wood River, NE?
The poverty rate in Wood River is 15.6%. This means approximately 229 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wood River, Nebraska?
Wood River's population is 73.0% White, 0.0% Black, 25.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wood River, NE?
The median home value in Wood River is $151,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.0x.
How educated is Wood River, Nebraska?
17.8% of adults (25+) in Wood River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.