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CITY

Wood River

Nebraska · 1,169 residents (2025 est.) · 1.131 sq mi
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The short version

Wood River has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $75,417. Population has grown 24% since 2000. 18% 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 $151,200.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 37.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 39%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,494
+24%since 2000
from 1,204 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,321 / sq mi
+24%since 2000
from 1,065 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
37.3
−1%since 2000
from 37.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:1,169 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K1K1K2K2K1990201020202024Wood River
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$75,417
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,776 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$33,668
+107%since 2000
from $16,275 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.2%
+30.4 ptssince 2009
from 19.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
15.6%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 12.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.351
−10%since 2010
from 0.388 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade17.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance10.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical9.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services9.4%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade8.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration7.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Information5.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.6%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction5.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing2.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$151,200
+39%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $59,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$811
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $444 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
82.5%
+8.6 ptssince 2000
from 73.9% in 2000
17.5% rent
Vacancy rate
4.2%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
11.0%
−17.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.6% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
40.0%
−17.0 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.0
+24%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
60
RELATED:See current rent listings in Wood River on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic86.9%(1,046)
Black0.2%(3)
Hispanic / Latino12.5%(150)
Asian0.1%(1)
Other0%
Diversity Score28.1%(338)
2024
White, non-Hispanic73%(1,091)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino25.6%(383)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.3%(20)
Diversity Score50.1%(749)
Diversity Score
50
+78%since 2000
from 28 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.8%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.7%
+10.1 ptssince 2000
from 83.6% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
5.7%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 4.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
25.5 min
+130%since 2000
from 11.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.6%
+4.2 ptssince 2009
from 80.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.0%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 10.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
4.6%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.2%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 1.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.4%
−6.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
63.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2011
from 64.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.4%
−3.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.4% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.6%
−23.4 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.5%
+10.9 ptssince 2009
from 38.6% in 2009
Female
50.5%
−10.9 ptssince 2009
from 61.4% in 2009
Foreign born
5.6%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.7%
−21.8 ptssince 2009
from 34.4% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
18.7%
+6.2 ptssince 2012
from 12.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.3%
−81.5 ptssince 2013
from 84.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
93.2%
+13.0 ptssince 2017
from 80.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
82.2%
+1.6 ptssince 2016
from 80.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
17.8%
−1.6 ptssince 2016
from 19.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Wood River to nearby cities

WOOD RIVER VS
Grand Island
Income$63,795−15%
Home value$218,600+45%
Population53,943+4514%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
WOOD RIVER VS
Hastings
Income$64,048−15%
Home value$184,700+22%
Population25,121+2049%
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WOOD RIVER VS
Kearney
Income$69,724−8%
Home value$244,600+62%
Population34,782+2875%
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WOOD RIVER VS
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Income$63,265−16%
Home value$180,900+20%
Population8,284+609%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Wood River, Nebraska?

Wood River, Nebraska has about 1,494 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Wood River, Nebraska?

The typical household in Wood River, Nebraska earns about $75,417 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Wood River, Nebraska expensive?

In Wood River, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $151,200, and the typical rent is about $811 a month.

How educated are people in Wood River, Nebraska?

About 17.8% of adults age 25 and over in Wood River, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Wood River, Nebraska?

About 15.6% of people in Wood River, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Wood River, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Wood River, Nebraska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 338 residents, a change of about 29 percent over that period.

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

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