City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

Valparaiso, NE

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

553
Residents
$72,750
Median income
$190,500
Median home
$1,089
Median rent (state)

Valparaiso - the verdict

Nationally, Valparaiso sits in the 53rd percentile for household income among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS.

53rd
percentile, household income
40th
percentile, home value
27th
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: Valparaiso, NE

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 553 residents in Valparaiso, a small town within Nebraska. The typical household in Valparaiso brings in $72,750 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.8%. Valparaiso's housing stock carries a median value of $190,500, and the median resident age is 43.1 years. About 21.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 64.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 3 residential building permits were authorized in Valparaiso (Low Activity), per Census BPS data.

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,089 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $207 across Nebraska, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 29.1 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

553 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$72,750 /yr

Poverty 1.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does Valparaiso compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 53% higher than other cities
Home value 40% pricier than other cities
Median rent 27% 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 Valparaiso 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 places Valparaiso toward the top of Nebraska's cities

Among the 438 Nebraska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Valparaiso ranks #64 - the 85th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Valparaiso only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#140 of 439
68th percentile in Nebraska
Median Gross Rent
#84 of 450
79th percentile in Nebraska
Median Home Value
#64 of 438
85th percentile in Nebraska
Poverty Rate
#353 of 450
20th percentile in Nebraska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#207 of 450
53rd 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.

53rdIncome percentile

53rd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Valparaiso's home value compares nationally

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

$190,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 60% 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. Valparaiso $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 - Valparaiso, NE Valparaiso, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso, NE median $72,750/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%
Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.4%

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

Population
553
Median Income
$72,750
Median Home Value
$190,500
Median Age
43.1
Poverty Rate
1.8%
Labor force participation
64.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.1%

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
595 residents600 residents605 residents610 residents 202020212022202320242025 599 residents 608 residents ▲ +1.5%
Valparaiso's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Low Activity
Total Permits (2024)
3
housing units authorized
Single-Family
3
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 0
2022 1
2023 3
2024 3

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
83.3%
Carpool
4.2%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
5.6%
Work from Home
6.3%

Based on 287 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 Valparaiso sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.1
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,089/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
29.1 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Nebraska

Stuart
553 people
Decatur
552 people
Pleasanton
554 people
Elwood
535 people
Nickerson
572 people
Inglewood
574 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Valparaiso's 553 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Orchid, FL
553 people
Bainbridge, IN
553 people
Howard, KS
553 people
Pretty Prairie, KS
553 people
Caspian, MI
553 people
Amboy, MN
553 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Valparaiso's $72,750 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bar Harbor, ME
$72,750 median income
Fountain, MN
$72,750 median income
Antrim, NH
$72,750 median income
Long Lake, NY
$72,750 median income
Lansford, ND
$72,750 median income
New Albany, PA
$72,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Valparaiso, 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 Valparaiso, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 97.5% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.4% American Indian 1.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.7% 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 Valparaiso 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
Valparaiso (this city) 553 $72,750
Stuart 553 $72,386
Decatur 552 $49,028
Pleasanton 554 $68,194
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Valparaiso, NE?

What is the population of Valparaiso, NE? +

553 people live in Valparaiso, NE according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Valparaiso households earn a median of $72,750 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Valparaiso? +

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

The median home value in Valparaiso is $190,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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