County · Nebraska
Lancaster County, Nebraska
Lancaster County, Nebraska. Lancaster County had 334,049 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.5% since 2020, faster than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 22 places (13 cities, villages and boroughs and 9 census-designated) and 81 census tracts. GEOID 31109.
Lancaster County is one of the 2 counties of the Lincoln, NE metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
334,049
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 322,608 · ACS 2020-2024: 326,696
Median household income
$74,793
±$1,721 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$275,200
±$3,244 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$1,085
±$19 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Lancaster County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 322,608 residents in Lancaster County. The Census Bureau estimates 334,049 for July 1, 2025, up 3.5% since 2020, faster than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 326,696 over 838 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lancaster County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 326,696 | 1,978,707 | +13,538 |
| Households | 134,126±753 | 797,847 | +9,802 |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.01 | 2.42 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 140,324±140 | 863,444 | +9,225 |
Lancaster County's population since 2000
From 250,291 in 2000 to 334,049 in 2025: up 33.5%. 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 Lancaster County?
Lancaster County holds 22 places: 13 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 9 census-designated places. The largest is Lincoln with 301,522 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lincoln | 291,082 | $71,867 |
|---|---|---|
| Waverly | 4,279 | $111,632 |
| Hickman | 2,607 | $104,375 |
| Bennet | 1,082 | $105,859 |
| Firth | 649 | $80,938 |
| Malcolm | 457 | $85,625 |
| WaltonGEOID 3151280 | 351 | $48,088 |
| Yankee HillGEOID 3154020 | 286 | $71,597 |
| Hallam | 268 | $98,214 |
| Panama | 235 | $94,514 |
| RocaGEOID 3141830 | 201 | $100,000 |
| DentonGEOID 3112770 | 189 | $57,250 |
| CheneyGEOID 3108990 | 164 | not published |
| RaymondGEOID 3140780 | 159 | $99,107 |
| SpragueGEOID 3146380 | 136 | $81,250 |
| DaveyGEOID 3112280 | 135 | $109,375 |
| MartellGEOID 3130835 | 125 | $134,115 |
| PrincetonGEOID 3140395 | 51 | not published |
| EmeraldGEOID 3115675 | 45 | not published |
| Prairie HomeGEOID 3140255 | 38 | not published |
| AgnewGEOID 3100380 | 30 | not published |
| KramerGEOID 3125720 | 26 | 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 Lancaster County?
The median resident of Lancaster County is 34.3 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 15.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 77.9%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 8.5%. 8.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lancaster County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 34.3±0.1 | 37.2 | +0.8 |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±0.1 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.3%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 8.5% | 12.7% | +1.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 77.9%±0.2 pts | 75.3% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.7%±0.2 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.1%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.2%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 8.7%±0.5 pts | 8.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 12.3%±0.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.3 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4%±0.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 5.9%±0.4 pts | 7.2% | −1.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.6%±0.5 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 41.9%±0.9 pts | 34.6% | +2.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 15.4%±0.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±0.3 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 Lancaster County earn?
Half of Lancaster County's 134,126 households earn less than $74,793 a year (±$1,721), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $74,490 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lancaster County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $74,793±$1,721 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,410±$2,071 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $41,036±$842 | $41,751 | +$1,189 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.9%±0.7 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.3%±1.5 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.4%±0.7 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.8%±0.6 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 Lancaster County?
Owners occupy 58.9% of Lancaster County's occupied homes and renters 41.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $275,200 by its owner (±$3,244). The median renter pays $1,085 a month including utilities, and 38.1% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lancaster County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $275,200±$3,244 | $238,600 | +$56,875 |
| Median gross rent | $1,085±$19 | $1,072 | +$36 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.1%±1.7 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,742±$24 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 58.9%±0.9 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 140,324±140 | 863,444 | +9,225 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.5%±0.7 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 58.8%±0.9 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.4%±0.3 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.2%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.2%±0.6 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 Lancaster County building?
Builders took permits for 2,346 new housing units across Lancaster County in 2025 (970 single-family), 7.0 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 Lancaster County get to work?
74.2% of Lancaster County's workers drive alone and 11.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 19.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Lancaster County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 69.7%±0.6 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±0.3 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.2%±1.1 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.4%±0.7 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.6%±0.8 pts | 11.0% | +8.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 19.0 min±0.3 | 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 Lancaster County's census tracts?
Lancaster County is divided into 81 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $26,382 (Tract 18) to $146,786 (Tract 36.09).
All 81 census tracts of Lancaster County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lancaster County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 2nd of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 10th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 93 |
| Median household income | 23rd of 93 |
| Median home value | 3rd of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 31st of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 3rd of 93 |
| Median age | 90th 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 Lancaster 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.