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Population Review

Box Butte County, Nebraska Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 22nd-largest in Nebraska

The population of Box Butte County, Nebraska is 10,754 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 22nd-largest county in Nebraska. The median household income is $68,778, the median home value is $161,100, and the median age is 40.7.

The population of Box Butte County has declined 5.1% since 2010 (11,277 → 10,703), a -0.37% annualized rate.

Box Butte County within Nebraska · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

10,754

Population

-0.37%

Annual growth

10

People / sq mi

$68,778

Median Income

$161,100

Median Home Value

Box Butte County covers 1,075 sq mi of land at 10.0 people per square mile.

About Box Butte County, NE

Box Butte County is a county in Nebraska with a population of 10,754. It ranks #22 among counties in Nebraska by population. The median age is 40.7, older than the national median. The population is 51.1% male and 48.9% female.

The median household income in Box Butte County is $68,778, below the US median of $74,580. 6.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $161,100, with monthly rent averaging $771. The homeownership rate of 75.5% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Box Butte County reflects 20.1% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 7.2% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 10.6 minutes each way.

Box Butte County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Box Butte County had a population of 11,277 in 2010 and 10,703 in 2024, a -5.1% growth over 14 years. The peak was 11,327 in 2015. Average annual growth rate: -0.37%.

2015 · 11K20102024

10,703

Population (2024)

11,277

Population (2010)

11,327

Peak (2015)

-0.37%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201011,277
201111,298
201211,270
201311,302
201411,303
201511,327
201611,168
201710,842
201810,735
201910,786
202010,819
202110,658
202210,685
202310,705
202410,703

Race & Ethnicity

White84.7%
Black or African American3.4%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)1.9%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

40.7

Median Age

48.9%

Female

51.1%

Male

20.3%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.2%
5–9
6.8%
10–14
9.1%
15–19
5.3%
20–24
4.5%
25–34
12.4%
35–44
10.7%
45–54
11.4%
55–59
4.6%
60–64
9.6%
65–74
12.3%
75–84
6.3%
85+
1.7%

Children (under 15): 21.1% · Seniors (65+): 20.3%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$68,778$-6,207 vs state
Mean household income$78,395
Per-capita income$33,834
Poverty rate6.6%-0.1% vs state
Unemployment rate1.1%
Employment-to-population64.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services
20.2%
Retail trade
17.6%
Manufacturing
11.8%
Education & health care
8.4%
Information
5.8%
Agriculture
5.7%
Finance & real estate
5.3%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.2%

The largest employment sector in Box Butte County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.2% of workers.

How residents commute

0.1%

Drive alone

1.4%

Carpool

78.3%

Public transit

7.2%

Work from home

10.6 min

Avg commute

Housing

$161,100$-62,700 vs state

Median home value

$771

Median rent

75.5%

Homeownership rate

5,222

Total housing units

86.9%

Occupied

13.1%

Vacant

24.5%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

92.1%

With health insurance

95.1%

With broadband internet

30.0%

Foreign-born

7.4%

Veterans (18+)

15.2%

With a disability

94.6%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.4%

High School+

20.1%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Nebraska

Other counties in Nebraska

Part of Nebraska

Metro areas in Nebraska

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Box Butte County, Nebraska has a population of 10,754 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 22nd-largest county in Nebraska. Population density is 10 people per square mile.

The population of Box Butte County has declined 5.1% since 2010 (11,277 → 10,703), a -0.37% annualized rate.

The median household income in Box Butte County, Nebraska is $68,778, with mean (average) household income of $78,395 and per-capita income of $33,834. 6.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Box Butte County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (84.7%), Black or African American (3.4%), Hispanic or Latino (1.9%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Box Butte County, Nebraska is 40.7 years. Residents are 48.9% female and 51.1% male.

The median home value in Box Butte County is $161,100 and median monthly rent is $771. 75.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 5,222 total housing units, 13.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Box Butte County, Nebraska is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.2% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.1%.

Omaha is among the largest cities associated with Box Butte County, Nebraska, with a population of 488,197.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.