RANKING · 2024 ACS · 34 SHOWN OF 34

Fastest shrinking, Nebraska cities

Nebraska cities with the steepest population decline from the 2020 census to 2024. This list covers the 34 cities in Nebraska that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 34 is +0.6%. Biggest climber in the top 100 since 2020: La Vista, NE, up 18 places to #4.

Flip the list · Fastest growing, US cities →

NebraskaAll statesPop > 5KAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros

YEAR2000 2010 2020 2024

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION GROWTHVS 2000

01▲9Chalco, NENE10,595-4.2%−50.6 pts

02▼1North Platte, NENE22,524-2.4%−8.0 pts

03▲2McCook, NENE7,157-1.8%−0.3 pts

04▲18La Vista, NENE16,543-1.1%−20.0 pts

05▲14South Sioux City, NENE14,158-1.0%−24.2 pts

06▼2Alliance, NENE7,914-0.9%+7.3 pts

07▲6Hastings, NENE25,121-0.6%−5.9 pts

08▲18Grand Island, NENE53,943-0.5%−9.5 pts

09▼6Scottsbluff, NENE14,259-0.4%−7.9 pts

10▲15Ralston, NENE6,382-0.3%−1.6 pts

11▼4Beatrice, NENE12,318-0.3%−1.4 pts

12Gering, NENE8,535-0.2%+2.3 pts

13▼11Sidney, NENE6,432+0.1%−5.3 pts

14▲13Seward, NENE7,892+0.5%−11.7 pts

15▲5Schuyler, NENE6,800+0.5%−32.1 pts

16▲18Bellevue, NENE64,863+0.5%−42.7 pts

17▼8Holdrege, NENE5,555+0.6%+1.2 pts

18▲14Omaha, NENE488,797+0.6%−15.6 pts

19▼1York, NENE8,284+0.9%−1.6 pts

20▲9Lincoln, NENE301,522+1.3%−16.2 pts

21▲7Kearney, NENE34,782+1.3%−11.1 pts

22▼6Fremont, NENE28,350+1.6%−4.7 pts

23▼17Blair, NENE7,997+1.6%−7.9 pts

24Columbus, NENE25,248+1.9%−5.7 pts

25▼17Nebraska City, NENE7,512+2.0%−8.4 pts

26▼3Wahoo, NENE5,023+2.3%−4.8 pts

27▼6Wayne, NENE6,338+2.5%−6.1 pts

28▼17Plattsmouth, NENE6,955+2.9%−4.6 pts

29▼12Norfolk, NENE26,677+4.4%−5.1 pts

30▲3Papillion, NENE25,127+4.5%−54.4 pts

31▼17Lexington, NENE11,176+5.0%−46.7 pts

32▼17Crete, NENE7,747+6.0%−18.5 pts

33▼2Offutt AFB, NENE6,074+13.3%–

34▼4Gretna, NENE9,207+80.9%+79.3 pts

SHOWING 1–34 OF 34

Download CSV (full list, 34 rows)

UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES