RANKING · 2000 CENSUS · 34 SHOWN OF 34

Most sparsely populated, Nebraska cities · 2000

Nebraska cities with the fewest residents per square mile (2023). 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 Fastest shrinking Most densely populated Best broadband access Worst broadband access

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS 2000

01Gretna, NENE9,207339+0%

02Sidney, NENE6,432839+0%

03York, NENE8,2841,238+0%

04Norfolk, NENE26,6771,296+0%

05Beatrice, NENE12,3181,320+0%

06Holdrege, NENE5,5551,332+0%

07Wahoo, NENE5,0231,345+0%

08Blair, NENE7,9971,363+0%

09Papillion, NENE25,1271,366+0%

10Gering, NENE8,5351,396+0%

11Grand Island, NENE53,9431,426+0%

12Seward, NENE7,8921,437+0%

13Nebraska City, NENE7,5121,453+0%

14McCook, NENE7,1571,464+0%

15Crete, NENE7,7471,531+0%

16Hastings, NENE25,1211,618+0%

17North Platte, NENE22,5241,747+0%

18Alliance, NENE7,9141,831+0%

19Kearney, NENE34,7821,832+0%

20South Sioux City, NENE14,1581,893+0%

21Wayne, NENE6,3381,921+0%

22Schuyler, NENE6,8001,964+0%

23Lexington, NENE11,1761,972+0%

24Columbus, NENE25,2481,977+0%

25Bellevue, NENE64,8632,004+0%

26La Vista, NENE16,5432,076+0%

27Plattsmouth, NENE6,9552,077+0%

28Scottsbluff, NENE14,2592,222+0%

29Offutt AFB, NENE6,0742,245+0%

30Lincoln, NENE301,5222,256+0%

31Fremont, NENE28,3502,291+0%

32Omaha, NENE488,7972,728+0%

33Ralston, NENE6,3823,864+0%

34Chalco, NENE10,5953,994+0%

SHOWING 1–34 OF 34

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