City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

Crete, NE

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Crete - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

7,521
Residents
$76,258
Median income
$203,900
Median home
$961
Median rent (state)

Crete - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Crete places in the 58th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

58th
percentile, household income
44th
percentile, home value
11th
percentile, median rent
19th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Crete, NE

Crete is a small town in Nebraska, home to 7,521 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Crete households earn a median of $76,258 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.6%. Home values in Crete run a median of $203,900, and the median resident age is 33.2 years. Educational attainment runs 16.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 29 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 53% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2733.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Crete's yearly average temperature at 51.1°F with 31.0 inches of precipitation per year and 25.3 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Nebraska run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Nebraska scores 90.1 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $961 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Nebraska run around $207, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 42.4 out of 100 (Low).

Population

7,521 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$76,258 /yr

Poverty 9.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does Crete compare to other US cities?

Crete measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 58% higher than other cities
Home value 44% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Nebraska alone, Crete ranks #40 of 44 Nebraska cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Crete against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Nebraska only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Nebraska-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent places Crete near the bottom of Nebraska's cities

Among the 450 Nebraska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Crete ranks #184 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Crete only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#113 of 439
74th percentile in Nebraska
Median Gross Rent
#184 of 450
0th percentile in Nebraska
Median Home Value
#47 of 438
89th percentile in Nebraska
Poverty Rate
#131 of 450
71st percentile in Nebraska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#295 of 450
34th percentile in Nebraska

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Nebraska only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

58thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

58th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Crete's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Crete's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 50 Avg. percentile National median
Crete's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Crete's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$203,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 56% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Crete $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Crete, NE Crete, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Crete, NE-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Crete, NE median $76,258/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Crete, NE's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Crete, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
7,521
Median Income
$76,258
Median Home Value
$203,900
Median Age
33.2
Poverty Rate
9.6%
Labor force participation
65.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2733.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
201.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2532.5
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
51.1°F
Annual Precipitation
31.0"
Annual Snowfall
25.3"

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
7,400 residents7,500 residents7,600 residents7,700 residents7,800 residents 202020212022202320242025 7,574 residents 7,747 residents ▲ +2.3%
Crete's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
29
housing units authorized
Single-Family
29
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 19
2020 54
2021 13
2022 15
2023 13
2024 29

Permit volume increased 53% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
76.5%
Carpool
13.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.6%
Work from Home
4.1%
Other
1.9%

Based on 3,666 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Nebraska - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$100
avg/month
Natural Gas
$65
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$207
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Nebraska state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Nebraska state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Crete sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$961/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
42.4 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nebraska

Seward
7,665 people
McCook
7,360 people
Nebraska City
7,287 people
Blair
7,868 people
Alliance
8,089 people
York
8,114 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Crete's 7,521 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

White Oak, PA
7,520 people
River Oaks, TX
7,516 people
Hastings, MI
7,515 people
California Polytechnic State University, CA
7,529 people
Bull Run CDP (Fairfax County), VA
7,513 people
Longboat Key, FL
7,512 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Crete's $76,258 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Florence, AZ
$76,259 median income
Lochearn, MD
$76,256 median income
Derby, CT
$76,263 median income
Deer Trail, CO
$76,250 median income
Buckingham, IL
$76,250 median income
Coalton, IL
$76,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Crete, NE Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Crete, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 55.9% 27.9% 10.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 44.1% White 55.9% Black or African American 0.9% Asian 4.6% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 27.9% Two or more races 10.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Crete compares to nearby Nebraska cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Crete (this city) 7,521 $76,258
Seward 7,665 $70,000
McCook 7,360 $51,815
Nebraska City 7,287 $67,993
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Crete, NE?

What is the population of Crete, NE? +

7,521 people live in Crete, NE according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Crete, NE? +

The median household income in Crete is $76,258 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Crete? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Crete; the closest available measure is the Nebraska state average, a cost of living index of 90.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Nebraska vary by metro area.

Is Crete, NE safe? +

Crete has a total crime rate of 2733.5 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Crete, NE? +

A typical home in Crete is worth $203,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Crete? +

Climate normals put Crete's yearly average temperature at 51.1°F, 31.0 inches of precipitation, and 25.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.