Otoe County, Nebraska Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 19th-largest in Nebraska

The population of Otoe County, Nebraska is 16,075 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 19th-largest county in Nebraska. The median household income is $81,430, the median home value is $185,000, and the median age is 41.8.

The population of Otoe County has grown 5.4% since 2010 (15,747 → 16,591), a +0.37% annualized rate.

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

16,075

Population

+0.37%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$81,430

Median Income

$185,000

Median Home Value

Otoe County covers 616 sq mi of land at 26.1 people per square mile.

About Otoe County, NE

What sets Otoe County apart is money: median household income runs $81,430, near the US median of $78,538. With 16,075 residents, Otoe County is a county in Nebraska. It ranks #19 among counties in Nebraska by population.

The typical household earns $81,430 a year, near the US median of $78,538. Poverty runs at 8.4%, below the national 12.4%. Homes carry a median value of $185,000, with typical rent around $905.

Educational attainment is on the higher side for US counties — 27.2% of adults hold a four-year degree, below the national 35.0%. About 5.9% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.

Taken together, the income and housing figures place Otoe County firmly in the higher-cost, higher-earning tier of US counties — a profile that tends to track dense job markets and competitive housing.

Otoe County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Otoe County had a population of 15,747 in 2010 and 16,591 in 2024, a 5.4% growth over 14 years. The peak was 16,591 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.38%.

Otoe County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

16,591

Population (2024)

15,747

Population (2010)

16,591

Peak (2024)

0.38%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	15,747	-	-	estimate
2011	15,740	-7	-0.04%	estimate
2012	15,689	-51	-0.32%	estimate
2013	15,686	-3	-0.02%	estimate
2014	15,781	+95	+0.61%	estimate
2015	15,844	+63	+0.40%	estimate
2016	15,930	+86	+0.54%	estimate
2017	15,946	+16	+0.10%	estimate
2018	15,991	+45	+0.28%	estimate
2019	15,993	+2	+0.01%	estimate
2020	15,903	-90	-0.56%	estimate
2021	16,022	+119	+0.75%	estimate
2022	16,243	+221	+1.38%	estimate
2023	16,448	+205	+1.26%	estimate
2024	16,591	+143	+0.87%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	88.3%
Black or African American	0.8%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	1.2%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.8

Median Age

48.5%

Female

51.5%

Male

20.5%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.6%

5–9

6.5%

10–14

8.0%

15–19

5.9%

20–24

5.3%

25–34

10.4%

35–44

12.4%

45–54

11.8%

55–59

6.0%

60–64

7.6%

65–74

11.7%

75–84

5.6%

85+

3.2%

Children (under 15): 20.1% · Seniors (65+): 20.5%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$81,430+$6,445 vs state
Mean household income	$100,837
Per-capita income	$41,885
Poverty rate	8.4%+1.7% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.9%
Employment-to-population	65.0%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

24.3%

Manufacturing

13.1%

Education & health care

9.5%

Retail trade

8.8%

Information

6.7%

Finance & real estate

6.5%

Agriculture

6.2%

Construction

5.3%

The largest employment sector in Otoe County is professional & business services, accounting for 24.3% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

2.8%

Carpool

80.3%

Public transit

5.9%

Work from home

22.8 min

Avg commute

Housing

$185,000$-38,800 vs state

Median home value

$905

Median rent

80.2%

Homeownership rate

6,987

Total housing units

91.9%

Occupied

8.1%

Vacant

19.8%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.6%

With health insurance

94.7%

With broadband internet

22.8%

Foreign-born

8.2%

Veterans (18+)

13.7%

With a disability

92.2%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

93.5%

High School+

27.2%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Nebraska

Omaha (488,197)Lincoln (291,932)Bellevue (64,355)Grand Island (52,761)Kearney (34,024)Fremont (27,321)Norfolk (25,962)Hastings (25,005)Columbus (24,188)Papillion (24,063)All Nebraska cities →

Other counties in Nebraska

Douglas County (585,461)Lancaster County (323,673)Sarpy County (194,051)Hall County (62,431)Buffalo County (50,323)Dodge County (37,146)Scotts Bluff County (35,937)Madison County (35,535)Platte County (34,358)Lincoln County (34,122)All Nebraska counties →

Part of Nebraska

Nebraska demographic profile All Nebraska data →

Metro areas in Nebraska

Omaha (972,840)Lincoln (341,309)Sioux City (144,007)Grand Island (76,619)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Otoe County, Nebraska has a population of 16,075 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 19th-largest county in Nebraska. Population density is 26 people per square mile.

The population of Otoe County has grown 5.4% since 2010 (15,747 → 16,591), a +0.37% annualized rate.

The median household income in Otoe County, Nebraska is $81,430, with mean (average) household income of $100,837 and per-capita income of $41,885. 8.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Otoe County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (88.3%), Hispanic or Latino (1.2%), Black or African American (0.8%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Otoe County, Nebraska is 41.8 years. Residents are 48.5% female and 51.5% male.

The median home value in Otoe County is $185,000 and median monthly rent is $905. 80.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 6,987 total housing units, 8.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Otoe County, Nebraska is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 24.3% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.9%.

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