Rank #38 by Population · Updated April 2026
Nebraska Population 2026
The population of Nebraska is 1,965,926 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 38th-most populous state in the United States. The median household income is $74,985, the median home value is $223,800, and the median age is 37.1.
Nebraska's population has grown 68.2% since 1910 (1,192,214 → 2,005,465).
1,965,926
Population
26
People / sq mi
$74,985
Median Income
37.1
Median Age
Nebraska covers 76,815 sq mi of land at a density of 25.6 people per square mile.
About Nebraska
Age is the most distinctive thing about Nebraska: a median age of 37.1, younger than the national median. With 1,965,926 residents, Nebraska is a US state. It ranks #38 among US states by population.
Median household income is $74,985, near the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate, 6.7%, is on the lower side for US states and below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $223,800, with typical rent around $1,035.
34.1% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, near the national average of 35.0%. About 10.0% of the workforce is home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 19 minutes each way.
Nebraska, #38 by population
Nebraska Population History (1910-2024)
The state of Nebraska had a population of 1,192,214 in 1910 and 2,005,465 in 2024, a 68.2% growth over 114 years. The peak was 2,005,465 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 0.48%.
2,005,465
Population (2024)
1,192,214
Population (1910)
2,005,465
Peak (2024)
0.48%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,192,214 |
| 1920 | 1,296,372 |
| 1930 | 1,377,963 |
| 1940 | 1,315,834 |
| 1950 | 1,325,510 |
| 1960 | 1,411,330 |
| 1970 | 1,483,493 |
| 1980 | 1,569,825 |
| 1990 | 1,578,385 |
| 2000 | 1,711,263 |
| 2010 | 1,826,341 |
| 2020 | 1,961,504 |
| 2020 | 1,963,387 |
| 2021 | 1,964,537 |
| 2022 | 1,972,246 |
| 2023 | 1,987,864 |
| 2024 | 2,005,465 |
Age Distribution
Male: 50.2% · Female: 49.8%
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 79.9% |
| Black or African American | 4.8% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| American Indian & Alaska Native | 1.0% |
| Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander | 0.1% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.2% |
Economy & Income
$74,985
Median Household Income
$40,637
Per Capita Income
6.7%
Poverty Rate
2.0%
Unemployment Rate
$100,194
Mean Household Income
66.3%
Employment Rate
Cost of Living
Nebraska's overall price level is 90.1 on the BEA Regional Price Parity index (US average = 100), meaning prices are 9.9% lower the US average. Adjusting for cost of living, Nebraska's median household income of $74,985 has the buying power of $83,221 in average-priced areas.
90.1
Price Level (US = 100)
$83,221
COL-Adjusted Median Income
$74,985
Nominal Median Income
Education
92.1%
High School Graduate+
34.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
Births & Fertility
24,345
Live Births (2022)
12.4
Birth Rate (per 1,000)
65.9%
Births to Married Mothers
Births by Mother's Age
Births by Mother's Race
| White | 83.9% |
| Black or African American | 7.4% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 19.8% |
Housing
$223,800
Median Home Value
$1,035
Median Rent
855,631
Total Housing Units
66.5%
Owner-Occupied
33.5%
Renter-Occupied
8.0%
Vacant
Languages Spoken at Home
87.7% of Nebraska residents age 5+ speak only English at home. The most common non-English languages spoken at home in Nebraska:
| # | Language | Speakers | % of pop. 5+ |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spanish | 64,448 | 3.50% |
| 2 | Vietnamese | 4,228 | 0.23% |
| 3 | Other Asian/Pacific | 4,207 | 0.23% |
| 4 | Amharic, Somali, or other Afro-Asiatic | 2,879 | 0.16% |
| 5 | Arabic | 2,800 | 0.15% |
| 6 | Chinese (incl. Mandarin, Cantonese) | 2,176 | 0.12% |
| 7 | French (incl. Cajun) | 1,776 | 0.10% |
| 8 | Nepali, Marathi, or other Indic | 1,682 | 0.09% |
| 9 | Swahili or other Bantu | 1,387 | 0.08% |
| 10 | Persian (incl. Farsi, Dari) | 800 | 0.04% |
Commute
0.5%
Drive Alone
2.3%
Carpool
10.0%
Work From Home
19.1 min
Avg Commute
Largest Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | 488,197 |
| 2 | Lincoln | 291,932 |
| 3 | Bellevue | 64,355 |
| 4 | Grand Island | 52,761 |
| 5 | Kearney | 34,024 |
| 6 | Fremont | 27,321 |
| 7 | Norfolk | 25,962 |
| 8 | Hastings | 25,005 |
| 9 | Columbus | 24,188 |
| 10 | Papillion | 24,063 |
| 11 | North Platte | 23,030 |
| 12 | La Vista | 16,594 |
| 13 | Scottsbluff | 14,406 |
| 14 | South Sioux City | 13,871 |
| 15 | Beatrice | 12,233 |
| 16 | Lexington | 10,693 |
| 17 | Chalco | 10,625 |
Counties in Nebraska
| # | County | Population | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Douglas County | 585,461 | $79,081 |
| 2 | Lancaster County | 323,673 | $72,625 |
| 3 | Sarpy County | 194,051 | $101,402 |
| 4 | Hall County | 62,431 | $67,549 |
| 5 | Buffalo County | 50,323 | $74,570 |
| 6 | Dodge County | 37,146 | $71,294 |
| 7 | Scotts Bluff County | 35,937 | $60,960 |
| 8 | Madison County | 35,535 | $64,637 |
| 9 | Platte County | 34,358 | $72,335 |
| 10 | Lincoln County | 34,122 | $64,342 |
| 11 | Adams County | 31,034 | $65,680 |
| 12 | Cass County | 26,963 | $88,255 |
| 13 | Dawson County | 24,020 | $65,383 |
| 14 | Saunders County | 22,761 | $89,395 |
| 15 | Gage County | 21,646 | $64,426 |
| 16 | Dakota County | 21,331 | $71,655 |
| 17 | Washington County | 20,989 | $90,188 |
| 18 | Seward County | 17,636 | $81,122 |
| 19 | Otoe County | 16,075 | $81,430 |
| 20 | Saline County | 14,642 | $77,027 |
Compare Nebraska
Rankings for Nebraska
Read more about Nebraska
A complete guide to Nebraska demographics — population, race & ethnicity breakdown, income, age, growth trends, and how the state compares nationally.
Nebraska Demographics 2026: Population, Income, Race & Trends Explained →Metro areas in Nebraska
Congressional districts in Nebraska
Largest school districts in Nebraska
Other states
State rankings
Common questions about Nebraska
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Frequently Asked Questions
Nebraska has a population of 1,965,926 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 38th-most populous state in the United States.
Nebraska is gaining population, with a +68.2% change over the available historical Census record. Nebraska's population has grown 68.2% since 1910 (1,192,214 → 2,005,465).
The median household income in Nebraska is $74,985, with a per capita income of $40,637. 6.7% of the population lives below the federal poverty level.
79.9% of Nebraska's population identifies as White (Census ACS 2023). 4.8% is Black or African American, 0.0% is Asian, and 2.2% is Hispanic or Latino (any race, counted separately under Census methodology).
Nebraska is 79.9% White, 4.8% Black or African American, 0.0% Asian, and 2.2% Hispanic or Latino (any race). Hispanic/Latino is counted as an ethnicity separate from race under Census methodology, so totals may exceed 100% in some breakdowns.
The median age in Nebraska is 37.1 years. The population is 50.2% male and 49.8% female.
Nebraska's population has grown 68.2% since 1910 (1,192,214 → 2,005,465).
Across recent Census Population Estimates, West Virginia, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Illinois have shown the largest sustained population declines. Nebraska's own trend is gaining. National state-by-state rankings are published annually by the Census Population Estimates Program.
Demographic data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates. Birth statistics from the CDC National Vital Statistics System via Data Commons. California does not report marital status on birth certificates. Percentages may not total 100% due to rounding.
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Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.