Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage 2024 population estimates and 2024 Gazetteer. Rankings among the 50 states.
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
1870–2024U.S. Census (decennial), 1870–2020 + estimates.
Population pyramid
Nebraska's civilian population by sex and five-year age group. Choose a year to see how the age structure has changed.
Tap an age group in the pyramid to see its detail.
Under 15
396,910 (19.9%)
15 to 64
1,252,815 (62.7%)
65 and older
349,449 (17.5%)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, SC-EST2020 and SC-EST2024 age and sex estimates (civilian population, July 1).
Age, sex and longevity
The main indicators describing Nebraska's age structure, sex distribution and life expectancy.
| Median age | 36.9 years | |
| Female | 50.1% | |
| Male | 49.9% | |
| Under 18 | 24.5% | |
| 65 and older | 16.1% | |
| Life expectancy | 77.9 years |
Population, households and density
How many people and households live in Nebraska, how concentrated they are and how the population is changing.
| Total population | 2.00 M | 37th in the U.S. |
| Density | 10 /km² | |
| Households | 770,000 | |
| Urban population | 73.7% | |
| Largest metro | Omaha–Council Bluffs (≈ 970,000) | |
| Growth | +0.6%/yr | 2020–2024 |
Race, ethnicity and origin
Nebraska remains predominantly white, with a growing Hispanic community tied to meatpacking towns and a historically significant Black population in North Omaha, plus refugee resettlement in Lincoln and Omaha.
| White (non-Hispanic) | 78.0% | |
| Hispanic or Latino | 12.6% | ≈ 252,000 |
| Black or African American | 5.2% | |
| Two or more races | 2.9% | |
| Asian | 2.7% | |
| Native American | 1.1% | |
| Mexican origin | ≈ 9.0% | Largest Hispanic subgroup |
| Sudanese & other African refugees | ≈ 12,000 | Concentrated in Omaha/Lincoln |