RANKING · 2025 ACS · 32 SHOWN OF 32

Most sparsely populated, Nebraska cities

Nebraska cities with the fewest residents per square mile (2023). This list covers the 32 cities in Nebraska that qualify, ranked against each other statewide.

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SAME RANKING BYCounties States Metros

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

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS 2000

01Sidney, NENE6,432859+2%

02York, NENE8,2841,269+3%

03Beatrice, NENE12,3181,301−1%

04McCook, NENE7,1571,311−10%

05Holdrege, NENE5,5551,313−1%

06Gretna, NENE9,2071,324+291%

07Blair, NENE7,9971,451+6%

08Norfolk, NENE26,6771,470+13%

09Nebraska City, NENE7,5121,511+4%

10Gering, NENE8,5351,538+10%

11Alliance, NENE7,9141,617−12%

12North Platte, NENE22,5241,648−6%

13Hastings, NENE25,1211,689+4%

14Wahoo, NENE5,0231,714+27%

15Grand Island, NENE53,9431,791+26%

16Seward, NENE7,8921,795+25%

17Crete, NENE7,7471,967+29%

18Plattsmouth, NENE6,9552,097+1%

19Papillion, NENE25,1272,098+54%

20Scottsbluff, NENE14,2592,150−3%

21Wayne, NENE6,3382,181+14%

22Lexington, NENE11,1762,202+12%

23South Sioux City, NENE14,1582,248+19%

24Kearney, NENE34,7822,323+27%

25Columbus, NENE25,2482,381+20%

26Schuyler, NENE6,8002,486+27%

27Fremont, NENE28,3502,580+13%

28Bellevue, NENE64,8632,929+46%

29La Vista, NENE16,5432,936+41%

30Lincoln, NENE301,5223,016+34%

31Omaha, NENE488,7973,419+25%

32Ralston, NENE6,3823,906+1%

SHOWING 1–32 OF 32

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