City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

South Sioux City, NE

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

13,871
Residents
$68,397
Median income
$160,900
Median home
$1,154
Median rent (state)

South Sioux City - the verdict

Nationally, South Sioux City sits in the 48th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

48th
percentile, household income
30th
percentile, home value
33rd
percentile, median rent
18th
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: South Sioux City, NE

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 13,871 residents in South Sioux City, a small town within Nebraska. The typical household in South Sioux City brings in $68,397 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.8%. South Sioux City's housing stock carries a median value of $160,900, and the median resident age is 30.9 years. About 15.9% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 69.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 27 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Growing), up 17% from five years earlier. South Sioux City's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2833.1 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,154 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Nebraska's average monthly utility costs around $207 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 36.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

13,871 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$68,397 /yr

Poverty 8.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does South Sioux City compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 48% higher than other cities
Home value 30% pricier than other cities
Median rent 33% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% safer than other cities

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

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Nebraska alone, South Sioux City ranks #42 of 44 Nebraska cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

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 South Sioux City'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.

48thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

48th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

South Sioux City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

South Sioux City'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 45 Avg. percentile National median
South Sioux City'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 South Sioux City's home value compares nationally

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

$160,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 70% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. South Sioux City $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 - South Sioux City, NE South Sioux City, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not South Sioux City, 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 South Sioux City, NE median $68,397/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%
South Sioux City, 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 South Sioux City, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 15.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 69.9%

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

Population
13,871
Median Income
$68,397
Median Home Value
$160,900
Median Age
30.9
Poverty Rate
8.8%
Labor force participation
69.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
15.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2833.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
181.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2652.0
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.

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
13,800 residents13,900 residents14,000 residents14,100 residents14,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,027 residents 14,158 residents ▲ +0.9%
South Sioux City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
27
housing units authorized
Single-Family
27
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 23
2020 20
2021 17
2022 18
2023 26
2024 27

Permit volume increased 17% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.0%
Carpool
13.7%
Public Transit
1.2%
Walk
1.0%
Work from Home
7.7%
Other
2.4%

Based on 6,731 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 South Sioux City sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,154/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
36.0 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nebraska

Scottsbluff
14,406 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 South Sioux City's 13,871 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Westmont, NJ
13,870 people
Luling, LA
13,873 people
White House, TN
13,875 people
Kettering, MD
13,866 people
Elfers, FL
13,877 people
Elk Plain, WA
13,863 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to South Sioux City's $68,397 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Micanopy, FL
$68,393 median income
Belchertown, MA
$68,393 median income
Neck City, MO
$68,393 median income
Harrells, NC
$68,393 median income
Clarksville, OH
$68,393 median income
Sandy Springs, SC
$68,393 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - South Sioux City, 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 South Sioux City, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 33.0% 12.4% 29.1% 19.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 51.9% White 33.0% Black or African American 12.4% Asian 2.3% American Indian 3.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 29.1% Two or more races 19.6% 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 South Sioux City 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
South Sioux City (this city) 13,871 $68,397
Scottsbluff 14,406 $53,448
Beatrice 12,233 $54,583
La Vista 16,594 $78,145
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE FBI UCR Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about South Sioux City, NE?

What is the population of South Sioux City, NE? +

South Sioux City, NE has a population of 13,871 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in South Sioux City, NE? +

South Sioux City households earn a median of $68,397 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in South Sioux City? +

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

South Sioux City has a total crime rate of 2833.1 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 South Sioux City, NE? +

The median home value in South Sioux City is $160,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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