RANKING · 2010 CENSUS · 34 SHOWN OF 34

Most sparsely populated, Nebraska cities · 2010

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

YEAR1990 2000 2010 2020 2025

RANKPLACESTATEPOPPOPULATION DENSITYVS 2000

01Gretna, NENE9,207639+89%

02Sidney, NENE6,432903+8%

03Offutt AFB, NENE6,0741,171−48%

04York, NENE8,2841,190−4%

05Holdrege, NENE5,5551,299−3%

06Beatrice, NENE12,3181,316−0%

07Norfolk, NENE26,6771,334+3%

08McCook, NENE7,1571,410−4%

09Blair, NENE7,9971,450+6%

10Nebraska City, NENE7,5121,466+1%

11Gering, NENE8,5351,531+10%

12Wahoo, NENE5,0231,539+14%

13Papillion, NENE25,1271,578+15%

14Seward, NENE7,8921,584+10%

15Grand Island, NENE53,9431,611+13%

16Hastings, NENE25,1211,674+4%

17Alliance, NENE7,9141,735−5%

18Crete, NENE7,7471,767+15%

19North Platte, NENE22,5241,809+4%

20Wayne, NENE6,3381,948+1%

21Plattsmouth, NENE6,9551,961−6%

22Lexington, NENE11,1762,015+2%

23Kearney, NENE34,7822,056+12%

24Columbus, NENE25,2482,085+5%

25South Sioux City, NENE14,1582,120+12%

26Bellevue, NENE64,8632,264+13%

27Scottsbluff, NENE14,2592,268+2%

28Schuyler, NENE6,8002,271+16%

29Fremont, NENE28,3502,403+5%

30Lincoln, NENE301,5222,585+15%

31La Vista, NENE16,5432,796+35%

32Omaha, NENE488,7972,860+5%

33Ralston, NENE6,3823,637−6%

34Chalco, NENE10,5954,090+2%

SHOWING 1–34 OF 34

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