County · Nebraska
Custer County, Nebraska
Custer County, Nebraska. Custer County had 10,500 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.4% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. It holds 43 places (11 cities, villages and boroughs, 31 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 31041.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,500
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,545 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,518
Median household income
$67,906
±$4,824 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$157,800
±$10,494 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$853
±$47 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Custer County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,545 residents in Custer County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,500 for July 1, 2025, down 0.4% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,518 over 2,575 square miles of land.
| Measure | Custer County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,518 | 1,978,707 | −308 |
| Households | 4,502±159 | 797,847 | −360 |
| Average household size | 2.31±0.08 | 2.42 | +0.11 |
| Housing units | 5,334±31 | 863,444 | −321 |
Custer County's population since 2000
From 11,793 in 2000 to 10,500 in 2025: down 11.0%. 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 Custer County?
Custer County holds 43 places: 11 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 31 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Broken Bow with 3,507 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Broken Bow | 3,506 | $60,129 |
|---|---|---|
| Arnold Township | 738 | $69,375 |
| Delight Township | 729 | $59,500 |
| Broken Bow TownshipGEOID 3104106645 | 694 | $127,895 |
| Sargent Township | 627 | $57,857 |
| Ansley Township | 613 | $64,375 |
| Kilfoil Township | 602 | $70,417 |
| Arnold | 592 | $64,688 |
| Callaway | 563 | $51,146 |
| Sargent | 500 | $54,423 |
| Ansley | 459 | $64,688 |
| Victoria TownshipGEOID 3104150685 | 349 | $61,154 |
| Merna | 343 | $61,875 |
| Wood River Township | 328 | $96,500 |
| Algernon TownshipGEOID 3104100835 | 304 | $93,000 |
| Berwyn TownshipGEOID 3104104685 | 222 | $78,967 |
| Cliff TownshipGEOID 3104109620 | 154 | $73,063 |
| Mason CityGEOID 3131115 | 151 | $64,375 |
| Oconto | 138 | $55,625 |
| Westerville TownshipGEOID 3104152365 | 135 | $103,750 |
| Lillian TownshipGEOID 3104127120 | 130 | $71,875 |
| Elk Creek TownshipGEOID 3104114940 | 129 | $77,344 |
| Comstock TownshipGEOID 3104110215 | 128 | $57,500 |
| Elim TownshipGEOID 3104114835 | 118 | $73,393 |
| Triumph TownshipGEOID 3104149180 | 115 | $78,333 |
| Garfield Township, Custer CountyGEOID 3104118160 | 109 | not published |
| AnselmoGEOID 3101500 | 108 | $60,673 |
| Loup Township, Custer CountyGEOID 3104129365 | 101 | $108,750 |
| Ryno TownshipGEOID 3104142880 | 100 | $46,250 |
| Myrtle TownshipGEOID 3104133495 | 92 | not published |
| Wayne TownshipGEOID 3104151805 | 86 | $37,614 |
| Custer TownshipGEOID 3104111930 | 84 | $81,042 |
| Douglas Grove TownshipGEOID 3104113575 | 81 | $60,833 |
| BerwynGEOID 3104650 | 75 | $46,250 |
| ComstockGEOID 3110180 | 68 | $47,500 |
| West Union TownshipGEOID 3104152715 | 58 | not published |
| Grant Township, Custer CountyGEOID 3104119770 | 56 | not published |
| Milburn TownshipGEOID 3104132025 | 54 | $113,750 |
| East Custer TownshipGEOID 3104114170 | 45 | not published |
| WestervilleGEOID 3152330 | 31 | not published |
| Corner TownshipGEOID 3104110530 | 29 | not published |
| Hayes TownshipGEOID 3104121590 | 19 | not published |
| Spring Creek TownshipGEOID 3104146450 | 10 | 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 Custer County?
The median resident of Custer County is 42.1 years old; 24.3% are under 18 and 22.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.0%. 1.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Custer County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1±0.8 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.3% | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 22.6%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.0% | 12.7% | +0.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.6%±0.7 pts | 75.3% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.1 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.9%±0.5 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.9%±0.8 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±1.1 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 14.1%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.1%±1.4 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 95.0%±1.1 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.3%±2.3 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.6%±1.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.6%±0.8 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 Custer County earn?
Half of Custer County's 4,502 households earn less than $67,906 a year (±$4,824), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $64,223 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Custer County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $67,906±$4,824 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $85,495±$4,800 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,967±$1,985 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.1%±1.5 pts | 10.6% | −4.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 9.0%±3.1 pts | 12.0% | −8.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.8%±2.1 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.0%±2.7 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 Custer County?
Owners occupy 68.9% of Custer County's occupied homes and renters 31.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $157,800 by its owner (±$10,494). The median renter pays $853 a month including utilities, and 25.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Custer County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $157,800±$10,494 | $238,600 | +$24,762 |
| Median gross rent | $853±$47 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 25.9%±6.3 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,384±$56 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 68.9%±3.1 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,334±31 | 863,444 | −321 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.7%±5.0 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 87.3%±2.4 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.7%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 38.1%±3.1 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 Custer County building?
Builders took permits for 25 new housing units across Custer County in 2025 (25 single-family), 2.4 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 Custer County get to work?
79.1% of Custer County's workers drive alone and 6.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 17.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Custer County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.8%±2.3 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±1.7 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.1%±2.6 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.8%±2.2 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.5%±1.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.1%±1.3 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 17.4 min±1.6 | 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 Custer County's census tracts?
Custer County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $65,324 (Tract 9719) to $73,799 (Tract 9720).
| Tract 971731041971700 | 2,545±154 | $66,154 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 971831041971800 | 2,860±154 | $71,607 |
| Tract 971931041971900 | 3,741±117 | $65,324 |
| Tract 972031041972000 | 1,372±134 | $73,799 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Custer County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 25th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 48th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 66th of 93 |
| Median household income | 52nd of 93 |
| Median home value | 46th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 34th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 76th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 43rd of 93 |
| Median age | 54th 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 Custer 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.