RANKING · 2020 CENSUS · 34 SHOWN OF 34

Fastest shrinking, Nebraska cities

Nebraska cities with the steepest population decline since the prior decennial census. This list covers the 34 cities in Nebraska that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros

RELATEDLargest by population Fastest growing Most densely populated Most sparsely populated Best broadband access Worst broadband access

YEAR2000 2010 2020

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION GROWTHVS 2000

01North Platte, NENE22,524-5.4%−196%

02Sidney, NENE6,432-5.1%−195%

03Scottsbluff, NENE14,259-4.0%−154%

04Alliance, NENE7,914-4.0%−51%

05McCook, NENE7,157-3.3%+125%

06Blair, NENE7,997-2.5%−126%

07Beatrice, NENE12,318-1.6%−238%

08Nebraska City, NENE7,512-0.9%−109%

09Holdrege, NENE5,555+0.4%−159%

10Chalco, NENE10,595+0.6%−99%

11Plattsmouth, NENE6,955+0.6%−91%

12Gering, NENE8,535+0.8%−131%

13Hastings, NENE25,121+1.0%−82%

14Lexington, NENE11,176+1.2%−98%

15Crete, NENE7,747+2.0%−92%

16Fremont, NENE28,350+2.8%−55%

17Norfolk, NENE26,677+3.1%−68%

18York, NENE8,284+3.9%+55%

19South Sioux City, NENE14,158+5.2%−78%

20Schuyler, NENE6,800+5.4%−83%

21Wayne, NENE6,338+5.5%−36%

22La Vista, NENE16,543+6.3%−67%

23Wahoo, NENE5,023+6.9%−3%

24Columbus, NENE25,248+8.7%+13%

25Ralston, NENE6,382+9.3%+641%

26Grand Island, NENE53,943+9.5%+5%

27Seward, NENE7,892+9.8%−20%

28Kearney, NENE34,782+9.8%−22%

29Lincoln, NENE301,522+12.7%−28%

30Gretna, NENE9,207+14.5%+858%

31Offutt AFB, NENE6,074+15.5%–

32Omaha, NENE488,797+18.9%+17%

33Papillion, NENE25,127+27.9%−53%

34Bellevue, NENE64,863+28.0%−35%

SHOWING 1–34 OF 34

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UPDATED 2026-06-02 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR ESTIMATES