City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

O'Neill, NE

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

3,574
Residents
$66,458
Median income
$130,900
Median home
$961
Median rent (state)

O'Neill - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, O'Neill places in the 45th percentile for household income and the 94th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

45th
percentile, household income
21st
percentile, home value
11th
percentile, median rent
94th
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: O'Neill, NE

3,574 people live in O'Neill, Nebraska - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in O'Neill brings in $66,458 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.7%. Home values in O'Neill run a median of $130,900, and the median resident age is 43.1 years. 20.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 5 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 25% from five years earlier. O'Neill reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 251.7 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts O'Neill's yearly average temperature at 47.7°F with 25.9 inches of precipitation per year and 25.6 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. Monthly utility costs average around $207 across Nebraska, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 17.2 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

3,574 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$66,458 /yr

Poverty 10.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does O'Neill compare to other US cities?

Here's how O'Neill stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 45% higher than other cities
Home value 21% pricier than other cities
Median rent 11% pricier than other cities
Safety 94% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Nebraska, O'Neill ranks #2 of 44 Nebraska cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below O'Neill's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Nebraska, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

45thIncome percentile
94thSafety percentile

45th percentile nationally for median household income · 94th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

O'Neill's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

O'Neill'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 74 Avg. percentile National median
O'Neill'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 O'Neill's home value compares nationally

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

$130,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 79% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. O'Neill $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 - O'Neill, NE O'Neill, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not O'Neill, 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 O'Neill, NE median $66,458/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%
O'Neill, 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 O'Neill, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.3%

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

Population
3,574
Median Income
$66,458
Median Home Value
$130,900
Median Age
43.1
Poverty Rate
10.7%
Labor force participation
63.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
251.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
111.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
139.8
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
47.7°F
Annual Precipitation
25.9"
Annual Snowfall
25.6"

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 →
3,550 residents3,560 residents3,570 residents3,580 residents3,590 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,569 residents 3,567 residents ▼ -0.1%
O'Neill's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
5
housing units authorized
Single-Family
5
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 4
2020 3
2021 8
2022 3
2023 4
2024 5

Permit volume increased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.9%
Carpool
5.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
4.7%
Work from Home
2.2%
Other
1.8%

Based on 1,786 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 O'Neill 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
17.2 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nebraska

Broken Bow
3,524 people
West Point
3,479 people
Auburn
3,468 people
Gothenburg
3,436 people
Fairbury
3,905 people
Cozad
3,944 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to O'Neill's 3,574 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Silt, CO
3,575 people
Kane, PA
3,573 people
Del Monte Forest, CA
3,576 people
Benton Heights, MI
3,572 people
St. Augusta, MN
3,576 people
Perham, MN
3,577 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to O'Neill's $66,458 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Semmes, AL
$66,458 median income
Vail, IA
$66,458 median income
Melbourne, KY
$66,458 median income
Arlington, MN
$66,458 median income
Claremont, MN
$66,458 median income
Avon, PA
$66,458 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - O'Neill, 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 O'Neill, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 91.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.5% White 91.1% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.4% Two or more races 3.8% 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 O'Neill 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
O'Neill (this city) 3,574 $66,458
Broken Bow 3,524 $56,438
West Point 3,479 $63,977
Auburn 3,468 $58,674
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about O'Neill, NE?

What is the population of O'Neill, NE? +

O'Neill, NE counts 3,574 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in O'Neill, NE? +

Median annual household income in O'Neill runs $66,458, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in O'Neill? +

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

O'Neill has a total crime rate of 251.7 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 O'Neill, NE? +

The median home value in O'Neill is $130,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in O'Neill? +

The average annual temperature in O'Neill runs 47.7°F, 25.9 inches of precipitation, and 25.6 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 Editorial

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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.