City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

Imperial, NE

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

2,182
Residents
$71,667
Median income
$176,700
Median home
$961
Median rent (state)

Imperial - the verdict

Imperial ranks in the 52nd percentile for household income nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS.

52nd
percentile, household income
36th
percentile, home value
11th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Imperial, NE

Imperial is a small town in Nebraska, home to 2,182 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Imperial households earn a median of $71,667 annually, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.8%. Imperial's housing stock carries a median value of $176,700, and the median resident age is 36.7 years. 26.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 65.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 14 residential building permits were authorized in Imperial (Low Activity), per Census BPS data. The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 50.1°F with 19.8 inches of precipitation per year and 26.0 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. Natural-hazard exposure scores 6.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

2,182 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$71,667 /yr

Poverty 9.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does Imperial compare to other US cities?

Where Imperial sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 36% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Imperial 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 Imperial near the bottom of Nebraska's cities

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

Median Household Income
#150 of 439
66th percentile in Nebraska
Median Gross Rent
#184 of 450
0th percentile in Nebraska
Median Home Value
#84 of 438
81st percentile in Nebraska
Poverty Rate
#124 of 450
72nd percentile in Nebraska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#102 of 450
76th 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.

52ndIncome percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Imperial's home value compares nationally

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

$176,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 64% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $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. Imperial $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 - Imperial, NE Imperial, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Imperial, 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 Imperial, NE median $71,667/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%
Imperial, 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 Imperial, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 26.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.4%

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

Population
2,182
Median Income
$71,667
Median Home Value
$176,700
Median Age
36.7
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Labor force participation
65.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
26.6%

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.1°F
Annual Precipitation
19.8"
Annual Snowfall
26.0"

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,900 residents1,950 residents2,000 residents2,050 residents2,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,065 residents 1,962 residents ▼ -5.0%
Imperial's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
14
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 3
2023 3
2024 14

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.6%
Carpool
4.1%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
6.4%
Work from Home
10.2%
Other
1.7%

Based on 1,021 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 Imperial 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
6.7 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nebraska

Ord
2,186 people
Wilber
2,178 people
Beaver Lake
2,198 people
Kimball
2,153 people
Geneva
2,214 people
Madison
2,074 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Imperial's 2,182 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bronson, MI
2,183 people
Bladenboro, NC
2,181 people
East Uniontown, PA
2,181 people
Cambridge, IL
2,184 people
South Roxana, IL
2,180 people
Waterloo, IN
2,180 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Imperial's $71,667 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Akiak, AK
$71,667 median income
Dietrich, ID
$71,667 median income
Pulaski, IA
$71,667 median income
Woodburn, KY
$71,667 median income
Middleport, PA
$71,667 median income
Portland, PA
$71,667 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Imperial, 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 Imperial, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 84.2% 13.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 28.0% White 84.2% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.5% Two or more races 13.6% 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 Imperial 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
Imperial (this city) 2,182 $71,667
Ord 2,186 $53,274
Wilber 2,178 $80,227
Beaver Lake 2,198 $136,364
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Imperial, NE?

What is the population of Imperial, NE? +

Imperial, NE has a population of 2,182 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

In Imperial, the typical household earns $71,667 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Imperial? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Imperial; 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.

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

A typical home in Imperial is worth $176,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Imperial? +

Imperial has an average annual temperature of 50.1°F, 19.8 inches of precipitation, and 26.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.