City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

Scottsbluff, NE

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

14,406
Residents
$53,448
Median income
$141,300
Median home
$987
Median rent (state)

Scottsbluff - the verdict

Nationally, Scottsbluff sits in the 25th percentile for household income and the 12th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

25th
percentile, household income
24th
percentile, home value
18th
percentile, median rent
12th
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: Scottsbluff, NE

Nebraska's Scottsbluff is a small town, with 14,406 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Scottsbluff households earn a median of $53,448 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 13.8%. Scottsbluff's housing stock carries a median value of $141,300, and the median resident age is 37.0 years. About 27.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 61.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 11 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 120% from five years earlier. Scottsbluff's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3371.2 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Scottsbluff's yearly average temperature at 49.1°F with 15.6 inches of precipitation per year and 39.7 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Nebraska run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Nebraska at 90.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $987 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Nebraska's average monthly utility costs around $207 (state average). The average commute for Scottsbluff workers runs 9.8 minutes, with 80.4% driving alone and 5.4% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 63.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

14,406 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$53,448 /yr

Poverty 13.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does Scottsbluff compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 25% higher than other cities
Home value 24% pricier than other cities
Median rent 18% pricier than other cities
Safety 12% 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: Scottsbluff ranks #43 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 Scottsbluff against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Nebraska only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Nebraska-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Scottsbluff toward the top of Nebraska's cities

Among the 450 Nebraska cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Scottsbluff ranks #58 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Scottsbluff only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#338 of 439
23rd percentile in Nebraska
Median Gross Rent
#160 of 450
63rd percentile in Nebraska
Median Home Value
#160 of 438
63rd percentile in Nebraska
Poverty Rate
#58 of 450
87th percentile in Nebraska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#93 of 450
79th 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.

25thIncome percentile
12thSafety percentile

25th percentile nationally for median household income · 12th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Scottsbluff's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Scottsbluff'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 39 Avg. percentile National median
Scottsbluff'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 Scottsbluff's home value compares nationally

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

$141,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 76% 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. Scottsbluff $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 - Scottsbluff, NE Scottsbluff, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Scottsbluff, 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 Scottsbluff, NE median $53,448/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%
Scottsbluff, 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 Scottsbluff, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 13.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.8%

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

Population
14,406
Median Income
$53,448
Median Home Value
$141,300
Median Age
37.0
Poverty Rate
13.8%
Labor force participation
61.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3371.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
588.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2783.2
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
49.1°F
Annual Precipitation
15.6"
Annual Snowfall
39.7"

Schools

Total Schools
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,200 residents14,300 residents14,400 residents14,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,438 residents 14,259 residents ▼ -1.2%
Scottsbluff's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
11
housing units authorized
Single-Family
11
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 5
2020 3
2021 2
2022 18
2023 9
2024 11

Permit volume increased 120% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
9.8 minutes
Drive Alone
80.4%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
5.4%
Other
1.6%

Based on 6,745 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 Scottsbluff sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$987/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
63.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nebraska

South Sioux City
13,871 people
Beatrice
12,233 people
La Vista
16,594 people
Lexington
10,693 people
Chalco
10,625 people
Gretna
9,117 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Scottsbluff's 14,406 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Washington Court House, OH
14,406 people
Short Hills, NJ
14,398 people
New Cassel, NY
14,414 people
Belvedere Park, GA
14,422 people
Clarksdale, MS
14,423 people
Somerton, AZ
14,383 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Scottsbluff's $53,448 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

San Juan, TX
$53,440 median income
Elgin, AZ
$53,438 median income
South Jacksonville, IL
$53,438 median income
Williamson, IA
$53,438 median income
Clements, MN
$53,438 median income
Kinney, MN
$53,438 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Scottsbluff, 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 Scottsbluff, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.3% 8.8% 13.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 29.1% White 74.3% Black or African American 0.8% Asian 0.9% American Indian 1.9% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.8% Two or more races 13.4% 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 Scottsbluff 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
Scottsbluff (this city) 14,406 $53,448
South Sioux City 13,871 $68,397
Beatrice 12,233 $54,583
La Vista 16,594 $78,145
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Scottsbluff, NE?

What is the population of Scottsbluff, NE? +

14,406 people live in Scottsbluff, NE according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Scottsbluff is $53,448 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Scottsbluff? +

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

Scottsbluff has a total crime rate of 3371.2 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Scottsbluff, NE? +

Homes in Scottsbluff carry a median value of $141,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Scottsbluff? +

Climate normals put Scottsbluff's yearly average temperature at 49.1°F, 15.6 inches of precipitation, and 39.7 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.