CensusEasy
CITY

Emerson

Nebraska · 825 residents (2025 est.) · 0.473 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Sioux City metro area
Compare
The short version

Emerson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $57,292. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $116,400. With a median age of 44.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 25% less than the Nebraska median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
885
+8%since 2000
from 817 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,871 / sq mi
+8%since 2000
from 1,727 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.0
+9%since 2000
from 40.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:825 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7538068599129651990201020202024Emerson
2024885
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,292
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,411 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$26,920
+106%since 2000
from $13,062 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.4%
+24.1 ptssince 2009
from 14.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.0%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 11.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.359
−1%since 2010
from 0.362 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Information6.1%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.5%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical3.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration2.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services1.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$116,400
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $49,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$703
−2%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $395 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
69.5%
−5.0 ptssince 2000
from 74.5% in 2000
30.5% rent
Vacancy rate
10.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.8%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 19.5% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
17.8%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+13%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
42
RELATED:See current rent listings in Emerson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92.4%(755)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino5.5%(45)
Asian0.7%(6)
Other0%
Diversity Score14.9%(122)
2024
White, non-Hispanic75.4%(667)
Black0.1%(1)
Hispanic / Latino11.9%(105)
Asian0%(0)
Other12.7%(112)
Diversity Score50.2%(445)
Diversity Score
50
+237%since 2000
from 15 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.0% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
87.9%
+9.7 ptssince 2000
from 78.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
1.0%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.0 min
+61%since 2000
from 14.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.3%
+10.2 ptssince 2009
from 74.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.3%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.9%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 4.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.4%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% 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
5.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2011
from 5.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.9%
+3.1 ptssince 2011
from 63.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
18.6%
+13.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
24.9%
−26.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.5%
−8.9 ptssince 2009
from 59.4% in 2009
Female
49.5%
+8.9 ptssince 2009
from 40.6% in 2009
Foreign born
3.3%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−54.3 ptssince 2009
from 58.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
16.7%
+4.8 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.0%
−77.5 ptssince 2013
from 86.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
86.7%
+22.5 ptssince 2017
from 64.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
91.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2016
from 97.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
8.1%
+5.1 ptssince 2016
from 2.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Emerson

Scottsmoor
Pop 830
Baconton
Pop 834
Southport
Pop 873
Welaka
Pop 786
Places similar to Emerson
Head to head

Compare Emerson to nearby cities

EMERSON VS
South Sioux City
Income$68,223+19%
Home value$174,700+50%
Population14,158+1616%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERSON VS
Sioux City
Income$68,906+20%
Home value$173,600+49%
Population86,356+10367%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERSON VS
Vermillion
Income$50,456−12%
Home value$219,000+88%
Population11,720+1321%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
EMERSON VS
Norfolk
Income$58,884+3%
Home value$211,700+82%
Population26,677+3134%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Emerson, Nebraska?

Emerson, Nebraska has about 885 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Emerson, Nebraska?

The typical household in Emerson, Nebraska earns about $57,292 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Emerson, Nebraska expensive?

In Emerson, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $116,400, and the typical rent is about $703 a month.

How educated are people in Emerson, Nebraska?

About 11.2% of adults age 25 and over in Emerson, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Emerson, Nebraska?

About 16.0% of people in Emerson, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Emerson, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Emerson, Nebraska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 89 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

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

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

How we source and harmonize this data →