Kearney, Nebraska Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Kearney, Nebraska is 34,024 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 5th-largest city in Nebraska. The median household income is $69,790, the median home value is $235,800, and the median age is 32.4.
The population has grown 12.0% since 2010 (31,007 → 34,741).
34,024
Population
2262
People / sq mi
$69,790
Median Income
$235,800
Median Home Value
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Kearney covers 15.0 sq mi of land at 2262 people per square mile.
About Kearney, NE
What sets Kearney apart is where people work — remote work is unusually rare here, at 4.2% versus 14.0% nationally. Kearney is a city in Nebraska with a population of 34,024. That makes it one of the ten largest cities in Nebraska in the country, at #5 by population.
Median household income is $69,790, below the US median of $78,538. About 7.8% of residents live below the federal poverty level, below the national 12.4%. The typical home is valued at $235,800, with typical rent around $922.
Roughly 36.9% of adults have a bachelor’s, above the national 35.0%. Remote work is rare here (4.2%, below the national 14.0%), and the average commute runs about 14 minutes each way.
Kearney city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Kearney city had a population of 31,007 in 2010 and 34,741 in 2024, a 12.0% growth over 14 years. The peak was 34,741 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.82%.
34,741
Population (2024)
31,007
Population (2010)
34,741
Peak (2024)
0.82%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 31,007 |
| 2011 | 31,474 |
| 2012 | 32,062 |
| 2013 | 32,352 |
| 2014 | 32,597 |
| 2015 | 32,951 |
| 2016 | 33,345 |
| 2017 | 33,586 |
| 2018 | 33,595 |
| 2019 | 33,867 |
| 2020 | 33,882 |
| 2021 | 33,986 |
| 2022 | 34,256 |
| 2023 | 34,364 |
| 2024 | 34,741 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 85.7% |
| Black or African American | 1.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.6% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$69,790
Median Household Income
$36,753
Per Capita Income
7.8%
Poverty Rate
2.3%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$235,800
Median Home Value
$922
Median Rent
59.1%
Owner-Occupied
Education
93.3%
High School+
36.9%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.3%
Drive Alone
83.3%
Public Transit
4.2%
Work From Home
14.2 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
23.8%
Foreign Born
89.8%
Non-English at Home
5.8%
Veterans
13.2%
With Disability
92.0%
Health Insurance
95.6%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 27.3% |
| Manufacturing | 10.6% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.9% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 6.9% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 6.6% |
| Construction | 6.3% |
| Retail Trade | 4.2% |
| Information | 4.1% |
| Public Administration | 3.2% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 2.1% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.1% |
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Frequently Asked Questions
Kearney, Nebraska has a population of 34,024 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 5th-largest city in Nebraska.
The median household income in Kearney, Nebraska is $69,790, with 7.8% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Kearney, Nebraska is $235,800, with median monthly rent at $922 and a homeownership rate of 59.1%.
The median age in Kearney, Nebraska is 32.4 years. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.
The population has grown 12.0% since 2010 (31,007 → 34,741).
Where to stay in Kearney
Visiting or relocating to Kearney, NE? Compare hotels and short-term rentals across the metro — live availability and prices.
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.