Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Foreign-born share
1970–2023Share of residents born outside the U.S.
Foreign-Born Population
About 7.5% of Nebraska residents are foreign-born, with many working in the state's meatpacking and agricultural industries.
Foreign-born residents
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, share of total population, B05002 (2020 not released).
Foreign-born population
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B05002 (2020 not released).
| Indicator | Nebraska | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Foreign-Born Share (%) | 7.5 | 13.9 |
- •Immigrant workers make up a large share of the workforce in Nebraska's meatpacking towns like Grand Island and Lexington.
Countries of Origin
About 7.5% of Nebraskans are foreign-born, led by arrivals from Mexico and Central America.
Foreign-born residents who are naturalized citizens
2006–2024Census American Community Survey 1-year estimates, B05002 (2020 not released).
Migration Flows
Nebraska's population growth depends heavily on international migration to offset modest domestic out-migration.
Total net migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, international plus domestic net migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
Net international migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net international migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
- •Lincoln and Omaha absorb the large majority of Nebraska's net migration gains.
International Migration
Nebraska gains roughly 6,000-8,000 residents annually through international migration.
Net international migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net international migration, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
- •International migration has become the primary driver of Nebraska's overall population growth in recent years.
Domestic Migration
Nebraska sees modest net domestic out-migration most years, as residents move to larger metro areas in neighboring states.
Net domestic migration
2011–2025Census Bureau Population Estimates Program, net domestic migration to/from other states, July–June years (2020 partial year omitted).
- •Despite domestic out-migration, Nebraska's population has still grown thanks to natural increase and international migration.