County · Nebraska
Cherry County, Nebraska
Cherry County, Nebraska. Cherry County had 5,561 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.9% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 8 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 31031.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
5,561
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 5,455 · ACS 2020-2024: 5,498
Median household income
$66,270
±$7,312 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$152,200
±$16,955 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$916
±$92 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Cherry County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 5,455 residents in Cherry County. The Census Bureau estimates 5,561 for July 1, 2025, up 1.9% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 5,498 over 5,960 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cherry County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 5,498 | 1,978,707 | −281 |
| Households | 2,233±150 | 797,847 | −304 |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.16 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,009±20 | 863,444 | −243 |
Cherry County's population since 2000
From 6,148 in 2000 to 5,561 in 2025: down 9.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cherry County?
Cherry County holds 8 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Valentine with 2,635 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Valentine | 2,633 | $56,898 |
|---|---|---|
| CodyGEOID 3109760 | 168 | $72,500 |
| MerrimanGEOID 3131815 | 87 | $41,477 |
| CrookstonGEOID 3111475 | 71 | not published |
| KilgoreGEOID 3125405 | 63 | not published |
| Wood LakeGEOID 3153555 | 46 | $30,417 |
| NenzelGEOID 3133985 | 17 | $43,750 |
| BrownleeGEOID 3106680 | 13 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cherry County?
The median resident of Cherry County is 41.4 years old; 23.4% are under 18 and 22.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.8%, then non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 5.2%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cherry County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.4±1.6 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.4%±0.5 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.4%±0.7 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.5% | 12.7% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.8%±1.2 pts | 75.3% | −4.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.8 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 5.2%±1.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±1.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±1.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1%±1.6 pts | 8.0% | +2.6 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.6%±1.3 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5%±1.9 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.6%±1.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.4%±3.2 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.2%±1.8 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 25.3%±5.0 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.4%±2.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.0%±1.9 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cherry County earn?
Half of Cherry County's 2,233 households earn less than $66,270 a year (±$7,312), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $69,720 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cherry County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,270±$7,312 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $80,876±$8,221 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,567±$3,417 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.3%±2.6 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.2%±5.7 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.4%±2.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 85.5%±4.5 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cherry County?
Owners occupy 61.4% of Cherry County's occupied homes and renters 38.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $152,200 by its owner (±$16,955). The median renter pays $916 a month including utilities, and 23.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cherry County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $152,200±$16,955 | $238,600 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $916±$92 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 23.2%±9.8 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,265±$229 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.4%±6.5 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,009±20 | 863,444 | −243 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 2.4%±3.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.6%±3.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.0%±4.4 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.3%±2.5 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.2%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.1%±4.6 pts | 18.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cherry County building?
Builders took permits for 16 new housing units across Cherry County in 2025 (16 single-family), 2.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cherry County get to work?
66.7% of Cherry County's workers drive alone and 7.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.2 minutes.
| Measure | Cherry County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.2%±3.1 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 0.4%±0.6 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 66.7%±4.0 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.1%±3.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 9.1%±2.9 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 7.3%±3.0 pts | 11.0% | −10.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.2 min±2.8 | 19.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Cherry County's census tracts?
Cherry County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $57,125 (Tract 9559) to $68,399 (Tract 9558).
| Tract 955831031955800 | 4,097±178 | $68,399 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 955931031955900 | 1,401±178 | $57,125 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cherry County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 51st of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 22nd of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 87th of 93 |
| Median household income | 55th of 93 |
| Median home value | 52nd of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 16th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 65th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 34th of 93 |
| Median age | 63rd of 93 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cherry County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.