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MICROPOLITAN AREA · 2020 ACS

Kearney Micro

Kearney, NE · 2 counties · 56,772 residents · 1,484.437 sq mi
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The short version

Kearney has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $63,441. Population has grown 16% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $182,579.

At a glance
Average income
near the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 35.4
US median: 38.8
Average education
33% 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
56,772
+16%since 2000
from 49,141 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
38 / sq mi
+16%since 2000
from 33 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
35.4
+13%since 2000
from 31.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
43K47K51K55K59K1990201020202024Kearney
202457K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$63,441
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $37,127 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,980
+76%since 2000
from $17,595 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
41.5%
+15.2 ptssince 2009
from 26.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.7%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 10.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade12.1%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade6.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.6%
Professional, scientific, technical3.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$182,579
+41%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $86,158 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$785
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $489 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
64.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2000
from 65.1% in 2000
35.5% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+24%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kearney on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic93.6%(45,972)
Black0.5%(238)
Hispanic / Latino4.3%(2,131)
Asian0.6%(304)
Other0%
Diversity Score13.1%(6,443)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic84.9%(48,172)
Black1.1%(603)
Hispanic / Latino9.6%(5,447)
Asian1.2%(672)
Other1.8%(1,013)
Diversity Score30.9%(17,563)
Segregation Score26%(14,773)
Diversity Score
31
+136%since 2000
from 13 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
26
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
32.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 29.0% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
92.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 89.1% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.0%
+1.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.5 min
+45%since 2000
from 11.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.8%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 81.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.9%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2011
from 4.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
71.6%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 72.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
34.2%
−29.9 ptssince 2009
from 64.1% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
50.1%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
4.4%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.5%
−83.2 ptssince 2013
from 90.7% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
In this metro

Principal cities

KearneyCENTRAL34,782
What's inside

2 component counties

Buffalo CountyCENTRAL51,172Kearney County6,790
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Kearney

Batavia
Pop 58,416
Kingsland
Pop 60,143
Carson
Pop 58,571
Carlsbad
Pop 62,509
Places similar to Kearney
Head to head

Compare Kearney side by side

KEARNEY VS
Batavia
Income$73,314+16%
Home value$170,500−7%
Population58,416+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KEARNEY VS
Kingsland
Income$74,378+17%
Home value$261,400+43%
Population60,143+4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KEARNEY VS
Carson
Income$72,355+14%
Home value$453,000+148%
Population58,571+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KEARNEY VS
Carlsbad
Income$78,426+24%
Home value$212,600+16%
Population62,509+8%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kearney, NE?

Kearney, NE has about 56,772 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Kearney, NE?

The typical household in Kearney, NE earns about $63,441 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kearney, NE expensive?

In Kearney, NE, the median home is worth about $182,579, and the typical rent is about $785 a month.

How educated are people in Kearney, NE?

About 32.9% of adults age 25 and over in Kearney, NE hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Kearney, NE?

About 11.7% of people in Kearney, NE live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kearney, NE grown since 1990?

Yes, Kearney, NE has grown since 1990. The population has added about 12,696 residents, a change of about 29 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · METRO ROLLUP OF COMPONENT COUNTIES · UPDATED 2024

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