City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

Kearney, NE

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

34,024
Residents
$69,790
Median income
$235,800
Median home
$1,031
Median rent (state)

Kearney - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Kearney lands in the 49th percentile for household income and the 34th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

49th
percentile, household income
52nd
percentile, home value
22nd
percentile, median rent
34th
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: Kearney, NE

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 34,024 residents in Kearney, a small city within Nebraska. The typical household in Kearney brings in $69,790 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.8%. Typical homes in Kearney are valued around $235,800, and the median resident age is 32.4 years. 36.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 68.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 87 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Slowing), down 22% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1926.1 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 49.9°F with 25.6 inches of precipitation per year and 21.8 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Nebraska run below the national norm: the state registers 90.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,031 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $207 across Nebraska, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 66.0 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

34,024 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$69,790 /yr

Poverty 7.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does Kearney compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 49% higher than other cities
Home value 52% pricier than other cities
Median rent 22% pricier than other cities
Safety 34% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Nebraska and the picture shifts: Kearney ranks #34 of 44 Nebraska cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Nebraska-relative analysis

Median Home Value is Kearney's strongest outlier among Nebraska cities

Among the 438 Nebraska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Kearney ranks #24 - the 95th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Kearney only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#171 of 439
61st percentile in Nebraska
Median Gross Rent
#121 of 450
71st percentile in Nebraska
Median Home Value
#24 of 438
95th percentile in Nebraska
Poverty Rate
#173 of 450
61st percentile in Nebraska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#29 of 450
94th 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.

49thIncome percentile
34thSafety percentile

49th percentile nationally for median household income · 34th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Kearney's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Kearney'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 49 Avg. percentile National median
Kearney'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 Kearney's home value compares nationally

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

$235,800 48th percentile more affordable than 48% 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%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Kearney $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 - Kearney, NE Kearney, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Kearney, 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 Kearney, NE median $69,790/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%
Kearney, 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 Kearney, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 36.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 68.7%

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

Population
34,024
Median Income
$69,790
Median Home Value
$235,800
Median Age
32.4
Poverty Rate
7.8%
Labor force participation
68.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
36.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1926.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
301.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1624.9
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
49.9°F
Annual Precipitation
25.6"
Annual Snowfall
21.8"

Schools

Total Schools
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
33,500 residents34,000 residents34,500 residents35,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 33,914 residents 34,782 residents ▲ +2.6%
Kearney's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
87
housing units authorized
Single-Family
83
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 112
2020 186
2021 158
2022 78
2023 96
2024 87

Permit volume decreased 22% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.3%
Carpool
9.3%
Public Transit
0.3%
Walk
1.8%
Work from Home
4.2%
Other
1.1%

Based on 18,788 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 Kearney sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,031/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
66.0 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nebraska

Fremont
27,321 people
Norfolk
25,962 people
Hastings
25,005 people
Columbus
24,188 people
Papillion
24,063 people
North Platte
23,030 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Kearney's 34,024 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Westlake, OH
34,036 people
Syracuse, UT
34,009 people
Crown Point, IN
34,042 people
Eastpointe, MI
34,003 people
Lexington, MA
34,085 people
San Dimas, CA
34,099 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Kearney's $69,790 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Dyer, AR
$69,792 median income
Daisy, GA
$69,792 median income
Irwin, ID
$69,792 median income
Charlotte, IA
$69,792 median income
Caledonia, MN
$69,792 median income
Clarks Grove, MN
$69,792 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Kearney, 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 Kearney, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.2% White 85.7% Black or African American 1.2% Asian 2.4% American Indian 0.7% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.1% Two or more races 4.8% 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 Kearney 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
Kearney (this city) 34,024 $69,790
Fremont 27,321 $67,179
Norfolk 25,962 $62,175
Hastings 25,005 $61,202
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Kearney, NE?

What is the population of Kearney, NE? +

34,024 people live in Kearney, NE according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Kearney runs $69,790, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Kearney? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Kearney; 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 Kearney, NE safe? +

Kearney has a total crime rate of 1926.1 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 Kearney, NE? +

The median home value in Kearney is $235,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Kearney? +

Kearney has an average annual temperature of 49.9°F, 25.6 inches of precipitation, and 21.8 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.