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MICROPOLITAN AREA

Lexington Micro

Lexington, NE · 2 counties · 26,255 residents (2025 est.) · 1,472 sq mi
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The short version

Lexington is a metro area of 26,242 people. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, below the 36% national rate. Few US metro areas rank higher on income. Home values have more than doubled since 2000, reaching $171,043. Density works out to 18 people per square mile. The average commute runs 18 minutes.

At a glance
Lower income
median household income $70,472, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 36.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
18% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place

What stands out about Lexington

What changed most since 1990

  • White share96.4% → 55.7% (−40.8 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
  • Hispanic share3.0% → 35.0% (+32.0 pts)US over the same years: +9.9 pts
  • Adults with a bachelor's degree12.4% → 18.4% (+6.0 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts

Among the 12 metro and micro areas based in Nebraska

  • 6th in household income$70,472
  • 12th in share with a bachelor's degree18.4%
  • 11th in home value$171,043
  • 1st in diversity score68.3
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
26,242
−1%since 2000
from 26,508 in 2000
26,255 in 2025 (Census Bureau estimate)
1990 – 2025
Population density
18 / sq mi
−1%since 2000
from 18 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
36.6
+4%since 2000
from 35.0 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Land area
1,472 sq mi
Population, 1990 – 2024
21K23K24K26K27K19902000201020202024Lexington
202426K
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 57.6%(1,986)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 97.1%(1,873)
US avg: 6%
10 to 148.1%(2,131)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 196.3%(1,653)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 246.3%(1,641)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 3412.4%(3,247)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4412.4%(3,248)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5411.5%(3,019)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6411.3%(2,954)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 749.6%(2,528)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 845.7%(1,486)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over1.8%(476)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,472
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,188 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,674
+146%since 2000
from $16,133 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
47.3%
+29.2 ptssince 2009
from 18.1% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
10.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2000
from 10.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.439
+8%since 2010
from 0.407 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade24.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing11.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction11.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Information9.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade7.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration1.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$171,043
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $64,890 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$905
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $449 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.5%
−2.2 ptssince 2000
from 69.7% in 2000
32.5% rent
Vacancy rate
9.9%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Persons per household
2.60 people
−5%since 2009
from 2.75 people in 2009
US average: 2.54
Owner cost-burdened
18.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
26.6%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 33.5% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.4
+21%since 2009
from 2.0 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Years of local income it takes to buy a local home, on a scale of about 0 to 15. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
66
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.9%(19,847)
Black0.2%(58)
Hispanic / Latino23.4%(6,205)
Asian0.6%(155)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic55.7%(14,604)
Black5.9%(1,560)
Hispanic / Latino35%(9,196)
Asian0.8%(210)
Other2.6%(672)
Diversity Score
68
+24%since 2009
from 55 in 2009
1990 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Segregation Score
62
−3%since 2020
from 64 in 2020
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means White and non-White residents are more separated across neighborhoods.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican18.4%(4,836)
Central American14.4%(3,479)
Guatemalan9.1%(2,211)
Salvadoran2.8%(678)
Honduran2.3%(564)
Cuban0.9%(229)
Argentine0.3%(82)
Spaniard0.2%(44)
Colombian0.2%(38)
Nicaraguan0.1%(26)
Puerto Rican0.1%(18)
Asian origin
Vietnamese0.4%(89)
Filipino0.3%(82)
Japanese0.1%(27)
Pacific Islander origin
Chamorro0.1%(35)
Ancestry
German26.4%(6,918)
Irish7.8%(2,036)
English7%(1,845)
Swedish3.6%(949)
American2.9%(767)
Scottish1.7%(459)
French1.4%(373)
Danish1.3%(342)
Czech1.2%(316)
Scotch-Irish0.9%(244)
Polish0.9%(233)
+ 21 more ancestry groups with data
Somali0.9%(227)
Welsh0.8%(198)
Norwegian0.6%(165)
Dutch0.6%(158)
Italian0.6%(147)
Russian0.5%(124)
Arab0.3%(76)
Lebanese0.3%(76)
Greek0.2%(55)
British0.2%(49)
Canadian0.2%(40)
Ethiopian0.1%(34)
Swiss0.1%(25)
Belgian0.1%(22)
Hungarian0.1%(15)
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.4%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 14.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
79.5%
+4.6 ptssince 2000
from 74.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 4.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
17.9 min
+62%since 2000
from 11.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.3%
+6.4 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
14.4%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.1%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.1% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.8%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.9%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.5%
−3.5 ptssince 2011
from 5.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
69.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2011
from 70.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Women 20-64 in the labor force
79.0%
+0.4 ptssince 2020
from 78.7% in 2020
US average: 74.6%
Self-employed
11.2%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 10.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.5%
+6.1 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Female
48.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Foreign born
20.9%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.0%
−5.3 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
12.8%
+0.9 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
9.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2013
from 15.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
83.7%
+10.6 ptssince 2017
from 73.1% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
Computer in household
93.7%
+3.9 ptssince 2020
from 89.8% in 2020
US average: 95.5%
Same house as last year
93.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2020
from 88.9% in 2020
US average: 87.7%
English only at home
65.4%
−5.4 ptssince 2016
from 70.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
29.0%
+3.6 ptssince 2016
from 25.4% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married34.5%(3,631)
Married55.6%(5,850)
Widowed2.8%(296)
Divorced7.1%(751)
Women 15+
Never married22.7%(2,206)
Married57.6%(5,597)
Widowed10%(972)
Divorced9.8%(949)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
Section 09

Health coverage

Uninsured
9.9%
−5.1 ptssince 2013
from 15.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Employer-based
54.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2020
from 58.1% in 2020
US average: 54.8%
Direct-purchase
19.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2020
from 19.7% in 2020
US average: 13.8%
Medicare
17.9%
Unchangedsince 2020
from 17.9% in 2020
US average: 18.4%
Medicaid
16.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2020
from 13.9% in 2020
US average: 20.9%
VA health care
1.5%
−1.3 ptssince 2020
from 2.8% in 2020
US average: 2.2%
Any private
69.5%
−2.7 ptssince 2020
from 72.2% in 2020
US average: 67.1%
Any public
32.0%
+1.8 ptssince 2020
from 30.2% in 2020
US average: 36.7%

Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.

Section 09 · Service history

Veterans

Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)13.4%(128)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)15.4%(147)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era54%(515)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War5.2%(50)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%

Share of the 954 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.

BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time

Lexington, decade by decade

Lexington population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
YearPopulationMedian household incomeMedian home valueBachelor's degree+Diversity score
199021,868$54,497$96,98412.4%8.7
200026,508$65,922$118,20714.7%48.1
201026,370$60,132$121,25914.8%59.4
202026,004$69,497$142,37917.6%67.5
202426,242$70,472$171,04318.4%68.3

Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.

In this metro

Largest cities

LexingtonCENTRAL11,176Cozad3,924Gothenburg3,430Elwood615Overton594Sumner244Farnam178Eddyville84Smithfield59Willow Island0
What's inside

2 component counties

Dawson CountyCENTRAL24,452Gosper County1,803
Drill deeper

Metros similar to Lexington

Greensburg
Pop 26,576
Mitchell
Pop 25,913
New Ulm
Pop 25,517
Crescent City
Pop 26,410
Places similar to Lexington
Head to head

Compare Lexington side by side

LEXINGTON VS
Greensburg
Income$69,783−1%
Home value$199,100+16%
Population26,576+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEXINGTON VS
Mitchell
Income$69,366−2%
Home value$197,351+15%
Population25,913−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEXINGTON VS
New Ulm
Income$69,378−2%
Home value$191,200+12%
Population25,517−3%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEXINGTON VS
Crescent City
Income$67,058−5%
Home value$342,000+100%
Population26,410+1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lexington, NE?

Lexington, NE has about 26,242 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lexington, NE?

The typical household in Lexington, NE earns about $70,472 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lexington, NE expensive?

In Lexington, NE, the median home is worth about $171,043, and the typical rent is about $905 a month.

How educated are people in Lexington, NE?

About 18.4% of adults age 25 and over in Lexington, NE hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lexington, NE?

About 10.8% of people in Lexington, NE live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lexington, NE grown since 1990?

Yes, Lexington, NE has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,374 residents, a change of about 20 percent over that period.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →