CensusEasy
CITY

Chester

Nebraska · 212 residents (2025 est.) · 0.586 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Compare
The short version

Chester has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $71,875. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 54 residents. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $76,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 39.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 82%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
240
−18%since 2000
from 294 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
410 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 502 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
39.0
−18%since 2000
from 47.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:212 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2122482853223581990201020202024Chester
2024240
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,875
+84%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,389 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$28,292
+100%since 2000
from $14,150 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.5%
+35.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
11.3%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 7.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.353
−2%since 2010
from 0.359 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Agriculture, forestry, fishing25.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction25.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Retail trade10.3%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade9.4%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing8.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services6%
US avg: 0.9%
Information1.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$76,800
+82%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $23,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$843
+61%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $288 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
77.8%
−7.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.0% in 2000
22.2% rent
Vacancy rate
20.8%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
6.5%
−7.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
27.3%
+27.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.1
−1%since 2000
from 1.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
80
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.3%(289)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.7%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.7%(5)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.9%(223)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(5)
Asian0%(0)
Other5%(12)
Diversity Score16.7%(40)
Diversity Score
17
+880%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.0%
+6.2 ptssince 2000
from 15.8% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.8%
+15.5 ptssince 2000
from 80.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 1.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.7 min
+21%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.6%
+7.9 ptssince 2009
from 70.8% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
13.7%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.0%
+4.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
7.1%
+5.8 ptssince 2009
from 1.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 2.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.9%
+9.5 ptssince 2011
from 57.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.7%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 14.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
39.3%
−21.5 ptssince 2009
from 60.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
38.3%
−9.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
61.7%
+9.1 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.8%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
6.9%
−42.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.3%
+4.9 ptssince 2012
from 13.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.8%
−84.3 ptssince 2013
from 95.1% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.9%
+16.3 ptssince 2017
from 77.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2016
from 97.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.7 ptssince 2016
from 1.7% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Chester

Brinson
Pop 215
Lexington
Pop 218
Montrose
Pop 207
Haralson
Pop 196
Places similar to Chester
Head to head

Compare Chester to nearby cities

CHESTER VS
Beatrice
Income$57,264−20%
Home value$159,300+107%
Population12,318+5710%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Hastings
Income$64,048−11%
Home value$184,700+140%
Population25,121+11750%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
York
Income$63,265−12%
Home value$180,900+136%
Population8,284+3808%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Grand Island
Income$63,795−11%
Home value$218,600+185%
Population53,943+25345%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, Nebraska?

Chester, Nebraska has about 240 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Chester, Nebraska?

The typical household in Chester, Nebraska earns about $71,875 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, Nebraska expensive?

In Chester, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $76,800, and the typical rent is about $843 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, Nebraska?

About 22.0% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, Nebraska?

About 11.3% of people in Chester, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, Nebraska has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 104 residents, a change of about -30 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
Nebraska
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Chester with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

Chester, Nebraska: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy