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CITY

Nelson

Nebraska · 462 residents (2025 est.) · 0.816 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $50,000. Population has fallen 17% since 2000, a loss of 100 residents. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $71,700. With a median age of 62.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 35% less than the Nebraska median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 62.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 37%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
487
−17%since 2000
from 587 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
597 / sq mi
−17%since 2000
from 719 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
62.0
+24%since 2000
from 49.8 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:462 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
3854575285996711990201020202024Nelson
2024487
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$50,000
−16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,500 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,193
+145%since 2000
from $17,221 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
35.5%
+25.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.455
+27%since 2010
from 0.358 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance17.5%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.3%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services8.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Wholesale trade5.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Information3.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Arts, entertainment, food3.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Retail trade1.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Transportation & warehousing0.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$71,700
+37%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$666
+47%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $248 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
85.2%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
14.8% rent
Vacancy rate
9.8%
−9.5 ptssince 2009
from 19.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.8%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 19.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
24.4%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.1% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.4
+62%since 2000
from 0.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
67
RELATED:See current rent listings in Nelson on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.3%(577)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(7)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score3%(17)
2024
White, non-Hispanic79.5%(387)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino14.8%(72)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.5%(27)
Diversity Score42.9%(209)
Diversity Score
43
+1351%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
23.2%
+9.9 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
92.3%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 84.4% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.9%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
21.4 min
+96%since 2000
from 10.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
74.8%
−8.4 ptssince 2009
from 83.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.5%
+11.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.7%
+1.1 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
0.3%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−6.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
56.6%
−10.9 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
20.6%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.0%
−42.5 ptssince 2009
from 70.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
46.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
53.8%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.8%
−33.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.4%
+4.2 ptssince 2012
from 16.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
8.2%
−76.8 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
84.2%
+18.6 ptssince 2017
from 65.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
93.9%
−3.3 ptssince 2016
from 97.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.7%
+3.4 ptssince 2016
from 2.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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NELSON VS
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NELSON VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Nelson, Nebraska?

Nelson, Nebraska has about 487 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson, Nebraska?

The typical household in Nelson, Nebraska earns about $50,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Nelson, Nebraska expensive?

In Nelson, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $71,700, and the typical rent is about $666 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson, Nebraska?

About 23.2% of adults age 25 and over in Nelson, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Nelson, Nebraska?

About 8.5% of people in Nelson, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Nelson, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Nelson, Nebraska has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 135 residents, a change of about -22 percent over that period.

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

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