Population
Nebraska has a population of 1,985,000 as of 2026, making it the #37 most populous state in the United States.
Nebraska Rankings
Where Nebraska places in every state-level dataset StatsPanda tracks. Each row opens the full ranking.
Nebraska Population Clock
These statistics show the estimated changes to Nebraska's population based on birth rates, death rates, and migration patterns from US Census Bureau data.
One birth every — seconds
One death every — seconds
One net arrival every — seconds
Net change every — seconds
| Nebraska Population (as of 7/14/2026) | 1,985,000 |
| Births per day | 65 |
| Deaths per day | 50 |
| Net migrations per day | 5 |
| Net population change per day | +20 |
| Population change since Jan 1st | — |
Demographics
The racial composition of Nebraska includes 81.84% White, 4.78% Black or African American, 2.49% Asian, 3.54% other race, and smaller percentages for Native American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander and multiracial populations.
Population by Race
Why is Hispanic separate? Following U.S. Census methodology, Hispanic or Latino origin is an ethnicity, not a race — people of Hispanic origin may be of any race. “All” shows the racial breakdown; the Hispanic and Non-Hispanic views show ethnicity, so the two groupings overlap rather than adding up to 100%.
| Race | Population ↓ | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| White | 1,624,568 | 81.84% |
| Two or more races | 125,739 | 6.33% |
| Black or African American | 94,800 | 4.78% |
| Other race | 70,237 | 3.54% |
| Asian | 49,524 | 2.49% |
| Native American | 18,797 | 0.95% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 1,336 | 0.07% |
Nebraska Marital Status
Population by Age and Gender
Median Age
Geography
Nebraska has seen steady population growth in recent years. According to the latest census data from 2020, the state has a population of 1,961,504 people. This represents a 7.4% increase from the last census in 2010, when the population was reported to be 1,826,341. Though not the fastest growing state, Nebraska's growth rate shows an upward trend over the past decade. With no signs of slowing down, the Cornhusker State will likely continue to see its population numbers rise in the years ahead.
Economics and Income Statistics
Nebraska's average per capita income is $38,585. Household income levels show a median of $71,722. The poverty rate stands at 10.40%.
Families: A family includes the owner or renter of the home along with everyone related to them - whether through birth, marriage, or adoption. This includes relatives like spouses, children, parents, siblings, grandparents, and any other family members.
Households: A household includes all the people who occupy a housing unit (such as a house or apartment) as their usual place of residence.
Non Families: A nonfamily household is either someone living alone or when the owner/renter lives with people they aren't related to, like roommates.
| Name | Median ↓ | Mean |
|---|---|---|
| Married Families | $92,614 | $118,546 |
| Families | $92,614 | $122,250 |
| Households | $71,722 | — |
| Non Families | $41,249 | $58,574 |
Income & Poverty
Largest Cities in Nebraska
The largest city in Nebraska is Omaha with a population of 486,051.
| Rank | City | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | 486,051 |
| 2 | Lincoln | 291,845 |
| 3 | Bellevue | 53,424 |
| 4 | Grand Island | 51,267 |
| 5 | Kearney | 33,835 |
| 6 | Fremont | 26,437 |
| 7 | Hastings | 24,964 |
| 8 | Norfolk | 24,955 |
| 9 | North Platte | 23,390 |
| 10 | Columbus | 23,679 |
Population by County
Nebraska's population shows distinct regional patterns, with the most populous counties concentrated in metropolitan areas. The most dramatic growth is occurring in suburban areas, while rural and some urban areas show more mixed trends.
Counties in Nebraska →Population by County
Population Growth by County
Population Density by County
Research Papers Related to Nebraska
Sources
Most recent state estimates from the Census Bureau's Population Estimates Program.
Detailed demographic and economic data for Nebraska.
Quick access to state-level statistics and comparisons.
Data Methodology
Population totals are sourced from the latest available US Census Bureau data. Totals for the current year are projected using each state's USCB data and previous year population growth rate. Growth rates are calculated based on births, deaths, and net migration estimates.