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CITY · 2020 ACS

Nelson

Nebraska · 456 residents · 0.816 sq mi
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The short version

Nelson has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $52,569. Population has fallen 22% since 2000, a loss of 131 residents. 12% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $49,500. With a median age of 52.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 52.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
12% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
456
−22%since 2000
from 587 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
559 / sq mi
−22%since 2000
from 719 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
52.7
+6%since 2000
from 49.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
3854575285996711990201020202024Nelson
2024487
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$52,569
+8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $32,500 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,443
+88%since 2000
from $17,221 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
24.9%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
4.8%
−4.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information31%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration6.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing6%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction6%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance5.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade4.5%
US avg: 10%
Transportation & warehousing3%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$49,500
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $28,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$567
+52%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $248 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
82.9%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 81.2% in 2000
17.1% rent
Afford Score
0.9
+6%since 2000
from 0.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(421)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino3.7%(17)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score9.3%(43)
Diversity Score
9
+215%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.2%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 13.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.0%
+5.6 ptssince 2000
from 84.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 3.2% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
23.6 min
+116%since 2000
from 10.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.0%
−17.2 ptssince 2009
from 83.2% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 6.9% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
54.4%
−13.1 ptssince 2011
from 67.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
26.5%
−44.0 ptssince 2009
from 70.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.2%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
48.8%
−3.8 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
0.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
5.9%
−79.1 ptssince 2013
from 85.0% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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 456 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Nelson, Nebraska?

The typical household in Nelson, Nebraska earns about $52,569 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 $49,500, and the typical rent is about $567 a month.

How educated are people in Nelson, Nebraska?

About 12.2% 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 4.8% 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 166 residents, a change of about -27 percent over that period.

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

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