RANKING · 2025 ESTIMATES · 32 SHOWN OF 32

Largest by population, Nebraska cities

The most populous Nebraska cities as of the 2025 population estimates. This list covers the 32 cities in Nebraska that qualify, ranked against each other statewide. The median across all 32 is 11,176. Biggest climber in the top 100 since 2020: Gretna, NE, up 16 places to #17.

NebraskaAll statesPop > 5KAll rankings

SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros ZIP codes

RELATEDFastest growing Fastest shrinking Most population gained Most population lost Most densely populated Most sparsely populated

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATETOTAL POPULATIONVS 2000

01Omaha, NENE488,797+25%

02Lincoln, NENE301,522+34%

03Bellevue, NENE64,863+46%

04Grand Island, NENE53,943+26%

05Kearney, NENE34,782+27%

06Fremont, NENE28,350+13%

07▲1Norfolk, NENE26,677+13%

08▲2Columbus, NENE25,248+20%

09Papillion, NENE25,127+54%

10▼3Hastings, NENE25,121+4%

11North Platte, NENE22,524−6%

12La Vista, NENE16,543+41%

13Scottsbluff, NENE14,259−3%

14South Sioux City, NENE14,158+19%

15Beatrice, NENE12,318−1%

16▲1Lexington, NENE11,176+12%

17▲16Gretna, NENE9,207+291%

18Gering, NENE8,535+10%

19▲1York, NENE8,284+3%

20▲1Blair, NENE7,997+6%

21▼2Alliance, NENE7,914−12%

22Seward, NENE7,892+25%

23▲2Crete, NENE7,747+29%

24Nebraska City, NENE7,512+4%

25▼2McCook, NENE7,157−10%

26▲1Plattsmouth, NENE6,955+1%

27▼1Schuyler, NENE6,800+27%

28▲1Sidney, NENE6,432+2%

29▼1Ralston, NENE6,382+1%

30Wayne, NENE6,338+14%

31Holdrege, NENE5,555−1%

32▲2Wahoo, NENE5,023+27%

SHOWING 1–32 OF 32

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UPDATED 2026-09-11 · DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU POPULATION ESTIMATES