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CITY

Brainard

Nebraska · 353 residents (2025 est.) · 0.31 sq mi
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The short version

Brainard has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $68,750. Population has declined 14% since 2000. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $172,800. With a median age of 47.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
24% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 107%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
303
−14%since 2000
from 351 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
977 / sq mi
−14%since 2000
from 1,132 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
47.5
+17%since 2000
from 40.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:353 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2653083513944371990201020202024Brainard
2024303
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$68,750
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,000 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$41,058
+132%since 2000
from $17,713 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
46.1%
+27.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.6% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
6.9%
+2.4 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.413
+34%since 2010
from 0.309 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Wholesale trade13.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Retail trade10.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing7.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing6.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Information4.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance2.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services1.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration1.1%
US avg: 4.8%
Manufacturing0.5%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$172,800
+107%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $45,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$756
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $415 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
78.6%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 77.7% in 2000
21.4% rent
Vacancy rate
13.5%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 11.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
16.5%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 27.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
39.4%
+21.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.5
+92%since 2000
from 1.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Brainard on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic99.4%(349)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score0%(0)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.4%(280)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino5.6%(17)
Asian0%(0)
Other2%(6)
Diversity Score17.8%(54)
Diversity Score
18
from 0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.5%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 18.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.2%
+10.4 ptssince 2000
from 85.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 8.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.3 min
+13%since 2000
from 18.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
77.2%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 64.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.2%
−13.8 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.5%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
8.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.2%
+5.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−7.2 ptssince 2011
from 7.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
74.7%
+10.3 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
22.6%
+11.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
25.8%
−28.0 ptssince 2009
from 53.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.2%
−9.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.1% in 2009
Female
50.8%
+9.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
7.8%
−53.5 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.9%
−1.5 ptssince 2012
from 16.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.3%
−91.0 ptssince 2013
from 93.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
81.2%
+17.5 ptssince 2017
from 63.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.6%
+3.2 ptssince 2016
from 95.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 0.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Brainard, Nebraska?

Brainard, Nebraska has about 303 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Brainard, Nebraska?

The typical household in Brainard, Nebraska earns about $68,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Brainard, Nebraska expensive?

In Brainard, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $172,800, and the typical rent is about $756 a month.

How educated are people in Brainard, Nebraska?

About 23.5% of adults age 25 and over in Brainard, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Brainard, Nebraska?

About 6.9% of people in Brainard, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Brainard, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Brainard, Nebraska has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 30 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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