City profile · Nebraska · Census ACS 2023

Wahoo, NE

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

4,885
Residents
$81,544
Median income
$227,100
Median home
$1,089
Median rent (state)

Wahoo - the verdict

Wahoo ranks in the 63rd percentile for household income and the 79th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

63rd
percentile, household income
50th
percentile, home value
27th
percentile, median rent
79th
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: Wahoo, NE

Wahoo is a small town in Nebraska, home to 4,885 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $81,544 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.8%. Wahoo's housing stock carries a median value of $227,100, and the median resident age is 36.4 years. 33.4% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 24 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 14% from five years earlier. Wahoo reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 634.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 50.2°F.

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 $1,089 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Nebraska run around $207, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 29.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

4,885 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Nebraska

Median Household Income

$81,544 /yr

Poverty 9.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.1 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Nebraska average

How does Wahoo compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 63% higher than other cities
Home value 50% pricier than other cities
Median rent 27% pricier than other cities
Safety 79% 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, Wahoo ranks #12 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

Each percentile compares Wahoo 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 Wahoo's strongest outlier among Nebraska cities

Among the 438 Nebraska cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Wahoo ranks #29 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wahoo only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#65 of 439
85th percentile in Nebraska
Median Gross Rent
#84 of 450
79th percentile in Nebraska
Median Home Value
#29 of 438
93rd percentile in Nebraska
Poverty Rate
#124 of 450
72nd percentile in Nebraska
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#45 of 450
90th 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.

63rdIncome percentile
79thSafety percentile

63rd percentile nationally for median household income · 79th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wahoo's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wahoo'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 68 Avg. percentile National median
Wahoo'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 Wahoo's home value compares nationally

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

$227,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 50% 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. Wahoo $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 - Wahoo, NE Wahoo, NE's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wahoo, 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 Wahoo, NE median $81,544/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%
Wahoo, 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 Wahoo, NE. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.1%

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

Population
4,885
Median Income
$81,544
Median Home Value
$227,100
Median Age
36.4
Poverty Rate
9.8%
Labor force participation
64.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.4%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
634.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
99.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
535.7
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
50.2°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
4,700 residents4,800 residents4,900 residents5,000 residents5,100 residents 202020212022202320242025 4,819 residents 5,023 residents ▲ +4.2%
Wahoo's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
24
housing units authorized
Single-Family
20
detached homes
Multifamily
4
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
4.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 21
2020 25
2021 19
2022 19
2023 25
2024 24

Permit volume increased 14% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.9%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
5.0%
Work from Home
10.0%
Other
0.7%

Based on 2,278 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 Wahoo 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

Ogallala
4,800 people
Aurora
4,665 people
Chadron
5,207 people
Waverly
4,363 people
Holdrege
5,503 people
Offutt AFB
5,663 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wahoo's 4,885 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hinton, OK
4,886 people
Chula Vista CDP (Maverick County), TX
4,884 people
Farmers Loop, AK
4,887 people
Kimberly, ID
4,883 people
Reidland, KY
4,887 people
Flemington, NJ
4,887 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wahoo's $81,544 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hokes Bluff, AL
$81,544 median income
South Ogden, UT
$81,543 median income
Chippewa Lake, OH
$81,542 median income
Lake Mohawk, OH
$81,538 median income
Leominster, MA
$81,556 median income
Blaine, WA
$81,559 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wahoo, 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 Wahoo, NE - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.6% 7.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 90.6% Black or African American 1.8% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 7.1% 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 Wahoo 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
Wahoo (this city) 4,885 $81,544
Ogallala 4,800 $55,481
Aurora 4,665 $71,051
Chadron 5,207 $54,026
Census ACS 5-year FIPS NE FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wahoo, NE?

What is the population of Wahoo, NE? +

4,885 people live in Wahoo, NE according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Wahoo runs $81,544, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wahoo? +

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

Wahoo has a total crime rate of 634.9 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 Wahoo, NE? +

The median home value in Wahoo is $227,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Wahoo? +

Climate normals put Wahoo's yearly average temperature at 50.2°F. 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.