7th most populous of 93
With 35,734 residents in 2024, Scotts Bluff County ranks 7th by population among Nebraska's 93 counties and is home to 1.8% of the state's residents.
Scotts Bluff County is home to 35,734 people (2024 estimate) on 740 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
35,734
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
36,091
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
−1.0%
2020–2024
Land area
740 mi²
1,916 km²
Population density
48.3 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
436
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
427
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+9
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+4
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$60,200
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$2.4 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$63,614
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
12.9%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
27.0%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
4.4%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$168,500
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.2%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–202435,734▼ 3%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 35,734 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 36,970 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 37,012 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | −3.5% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +61 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | −57 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 12.2 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 11.9 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Nebraska | 7th of 93 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $60,200 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $2.4 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $63,614 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 27.0% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.4% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $168,500 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $909/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 40.3 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 15,078 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.3% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Scotts Bluff County in context
Comparable indicators for Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Nebraska | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | −1.0% | +2.2% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 12.2 | 12.2 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 11.9 | 9.1 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 0.1 | 5.7 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 48.3 | 26.1 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $60,200 | $72,701 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $63,614 | $76,475 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 10.6% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 27.0% | 34.6% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.4% | 8.0% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $168,500 | $238,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $909/month | $1,072/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 40.3 years | 37.2 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.3% | 66.5% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Did you know? Scotts Bluff County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 37,012 in 2000 to 35,734 in 2024, a change of −3.5%, compared with +17.0% for Nebraska as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 436 births and 427 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 9.
Peak population in 2010
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population at 37,058 in 2010. The 2024 figure is 1,324 lower.
13th in density
Scotts Bluff County has about 48.3 residents per square mile of land, ranking 13th of 93 counties; Nebraska averages 26.1.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $63,614 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 68th of 93 Nebraska counties; the state median is $76,475.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $2.4 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 12th largest among 93 Nebraska counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 2.7% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS