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CITY · 2020 ACS

Kearney

Nebraska · 33,790 residents · 14.974 sq mi
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The short version

Kearney has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $60,755. Population has grown 23% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $188,800. At a median age of 32.1, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 32.1
US median: 38.8
More educated
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 41%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
33,790
+23%since 2000
from 27,431 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,257 / sq mi
+23%since 2000
from 1,832 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
32.1
+18%since 2000
from 27.3 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
23K26K29K32K35K1990201020202024Kearney
202434K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$60,755
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $34,829 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,304
+71%since 2000
from $17,713 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
40.8%
+15.6 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.7%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 13.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.5%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade5.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.6%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing2.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Professional, scientific, technical2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Construction2.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$188,800
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $89,300 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$793
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $509 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
55.7%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 56.5% in 2000
44.3% rent
Afford Score
3.1
+21%since 2000
from 2.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kearney on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.1%(25,525)
Black0.6%(170)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(1,118)
Asian0.9%(252)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.6%(3,728)
2020
White, non-Hispanic82.2%(27,768)
Black1.5%(516)
Hispanic / Latino10.8%(3,648)
Asian1.9%(627)
Other2.3%(782)
Diversity Score36.7%(12,386)
Diversity Score
37
+170%since 2000
from 14 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.8%
+1.9 ptssince 2000
from 34.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 89.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.0%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 12.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.0 min
+34%since 2000
from 10.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
83.7%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 82.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
5.8%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.8%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 5.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
72.3%
−1.6 ptssince 2011
from 73.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.2%
−30.1 ptssince 2009
from 64.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
50.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
5.0%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.7%
−82.0 ptssince 2013
from 90.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Kearney to nearby cities

KEARNEY VS
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Income$67,666+11%
Home value$159,100−16%
Population11,176−68%
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KEARNEY VS
Hastings
Income$64,048+5%
Home value$184,700−2%
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KEARNEY VS
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Income$63,795+5%
Home value$218,600+16%
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KEARNEY VS
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Home value$180,900−4%
Population8,284−76%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Kearney, Nebraska?

Kearney, Nebraska has about 33,790 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Kearney, Nebraska?

The typical household in Kearney, Nebraska earns about $60,755 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kearney, Nebraska expensive?

In Kearney, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $188,800, and the typical rent is about $793 a month.

How educated are people in Kearney, Nebraska?

About 36.8% of adults age 25 and over in Kearney, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kearney, Nebraska?

About 14.7% of people in Kearney, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kearney, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Kearney, Nebraska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 9,394 residents, a change of about 39 percent over that period.

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

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