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CITY

Wauneta

Nebraska · 515 residents (2025 est.) · 0.969 sq mi
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The short version

Wauneta has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $47,143. Population has fallen 15% since 2000, a loss of 94 residents. 17% 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 $88,100. With a median age of 54.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 38% less than the Nebraska median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 54.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
17% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 33%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
531
−15%since 2000
from 625 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
548 / sq mi
−15%since 2000
from 645 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.7
+10%since 2000
from 49.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:515 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4865726597458311990201020202024Wauneta
2024531
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$47,143
−13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,813 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$29,601
+81%since 2000
from $16,385 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
28.8%
+23.5 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.6%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.398
+9%since 2010
from 0.366 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information15.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing13.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction13.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing11.1%
US avg: 2.2%
Retail trade9.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance6.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade3.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Education & health services3.2%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$88,100
+33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,400 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$630
+31%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $264 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.8%
−13.5 ptssince 2000
from 84.3% in 2000
29.2% rent
Vacancy rate
10.9%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.4%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 13.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
15.9%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.9% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+53%since 2000
from 1.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
52
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wauneta on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.2%(601)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino2.7%(17)
Asian0.5%(3)
Other0%
Diversity Score8.2%(51)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.7%(492)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino1.5%(8)
Asian0%(0)
Other5.8%(31)
Diversity Score17.2%(92)
Diversity Score
17
+110%since 2000
from 8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
16.9%
+5.5 ptssince 2000
from 11.4% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.3%
+10.6 ptssince 2000
from 85.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.7%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 2.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
15.0 min
+24%since 2000
from 12.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
76.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 75.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.9%
+6.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
10.1%
+6.0 ptssince 2009
from 4.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
6.4%
−8.0 ptssince 2009
from 14.4% 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
4.7%
+3.8 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2011
from 7.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
45.2%
−16.9 ptssince 2011
from 62.1% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.0%
−10.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
29.5%
−34.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
Female
49.0%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 54.3% in 2009
Foreign born
1.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.2%
−37.2 ptssince 2009
from 46.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.7%
+4.5 ptssince 2012
from 16.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
2.5%
−82.8 ptssince 2013
from 85.3% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
80.9%
+13.1 ptssince 2017
from 67.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.6%
+9.2 ptssince 2016
from 85.4% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
5.0%
−9.6 ptssince 2016
from 14.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wauneta, Nebraska?

Wauneta, Nebraska has about 531 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wauneta, Nebraska?

The typical household in Wauneta, Nebraska earns about $47,143 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wauneta, Nebraska expensive?

In Wauneta, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $88,100, and the typical rent is about $630 a month.

How educated are people in Wauneta, Nebraska?

About 16.9% of adults age 25 and over in Wauneta, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wauneta, Nebraska?

About 16.6% of people in Wauneta, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wauneta, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Wauneta, Nebraska has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 163 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →

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