City · Nebraska
Fairbury, Nebraska
Fairbury, city, in Jefferson County, Nebraska. Fairbury had 3,812 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.8% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 3,970 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 3,888 (±28). GEOID 3116410.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
3,812
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 3,970 · ACS 2020-2024: 3,888 ±28
Median household income
$52,995
±$4,117 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$101,700
±$17,689 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$676
±$51 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
Where is Fairbury and what county is it in?
Fairbury is a city in Jefferson County, Nebraska. It covers 2.5 square miles of land, 1,565 residents per square mile in 2020.
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Fairbury, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 3,812 people lived in Fairbury on July 1, 2025, down 3.8% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. The 2020 Census counted 3,970 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 3,888 (±28).
| Measure | Fairbury | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 3,888 ±28 | 7,161 | +202 |
| Households | 1,694 ±131 | 3,136 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.23 ±0.17 | 2.25 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,042 ±99 | 3,679 | no clear change |
Fairbury's population since 2000
From 4,262 in 2000 to 3,812 in 2025: down 10.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Fairbury as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Fairbury?
The median resident of Fairbury is 41.6 years old; 20.8% are under 18 and 25.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.4%.
| Measure | Fairbury | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 ±6.1 | 44.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.8% ±3.0 pts | 22.7% | – |
| 65 years and over | 25.4% ±2.7 pts | 24.8% | – |
| Male | 48.1% ±3.3 pts | 49.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.4% ±1.2 pts | 5.9% | +3.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.5% ±2.2 pts | 90.5% | −4.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.6% ±0.8 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4% ±0.5 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.6 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0% ±2.1 pts | 3.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.0% ±2.2 pts | 2.8% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 7.4% ±2.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.1% ±2.0 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 24.2% ±4.9 pts | 20.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.3% ±5.1 pts | 8.4% | +5.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.8% ±3.8 pts | 93.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 17.3% ±5.3 pts | 20.2% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.3% ±2.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 91.5% ±2.2 pts | 93.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Fairbury earn?
Half of Fairbury's 1,694 households earn less than $52,995 a year (±$4,117), against $59,044 in Jefferson County and $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $46,963 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Fairbury | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $52,995 ±$4,117 | $59,044 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $65,878 ±$9,247 | $77,937 | – |
| Per capita income | $28,894 ±$4,177 | $33,931 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.9% ±5.4 pts | 10.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 5.3% ±7.9 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.6% ±7.3 pts | 12.5% | – |
| Households with a computer | 89.7% ±4.6 pts | 89.7% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.8% ±4.5 pts | 80.2% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Fairbury?
Owners occupy 67.2% of Fairbury's occupied homes and renters 32.8%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $101,700 by its owner (±$17,689). The median renter pays $676 a month including utilities, and 32.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Fairbury | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $101,700 ±$17,689 | $129,500 | +$26,505 |
| Median gross rent | $676 ±$51 | $662 | −$190 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.2% ±16.0 pts | 31.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,167 ±$73 | $1,331 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 67.2% ±7.6 pts | 74.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 32.8% ±7.6 pts | 25.1% | – |
| Housing units | 2,042 ±99 | 3,679 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.8% ±2.4 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.0% ±6.6 pts | 7.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.9% ±4.8 pts | 82.8% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4% ±0.7 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 0.0% ±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 48.6% ±7.2 pts | 38.3% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 12.0% ±5.3 pts | 7.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Fairbury building?
Builders took permits for 0 new housing units in Fairbury in 2025 (0 in single-family houses), 0.0 per 1,000 residents against 5.3 across Nebraska.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Fairbury work and get to work?
71.3% of Fairbury's workers drive alone. The average trip to work takes 13.5 minutes.
| Measure | Fairbury | Jefferson County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 55.9% ±5.4 pts | 59.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4% ±1.1 pts | 1.2% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 71.3% ±7.8 pts | 74.7% | – |
| Carpooled | 17.8% ±7.1 pts | 12.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±1.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 4.9% ±3.2 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.1% ±3.5 pts | 4.7% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 13.5 min ±2.7 | 16.5 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Fairbury?
2 census tracts lie mostly in Fairbury (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $45,739 (Tract 9638) to $60,972 (Tract 9637).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9637Jefferson County | 3,035 | $60,972 |
| Tract 9638Jefferson County | 1,258 | $45,739 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Fairbury) · Census block assignment files
How does Fairbury compare with other places in Nebraska?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Fairbury is the 5,635th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 39th-most populous of 528 in Nebraska.
Fairbury ranks 127th of 136 places in Nebraska with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 39th | 528 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 122nd | 132 |
| Residents per square mile | 49th | 136 |
| Median household income | 127th | 136 |
| Per capita income | 122nd | 136 |
| Median home value | 122nd | 135 |
| Median gross rent | 110th | 129 |
| Poverty rate | 22nd | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 116th | 135 |
| Median age | 37th | 136 |
| Owner-occupied share | 94th | 135 |
| Travel time to work | 112th | 135 |
Fairbury's figures with every place in Nebraska (CSV)
Every place in Nebraska, sortable · Compare Fairbury with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Fairbury?
17 of the 57 figures for Fairbury on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Fairbury are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Fairbury.