County · Nebraska
Lincoln County, Nebraska
Lincoln County, Nebraska. Lincoln County had 33,303 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.0% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. It holds 7 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 31111.
Lincoln County is one of the 2 counties of the North Platte, NE micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
33,303
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 34,676 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,802
Median household income
$65,148
±$4,966 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$189,500
±$7,482 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$900
±$44 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Lincoln County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 34,676 residents in Lincoln County. The Census Bureau estimates 33,303 for July 1, 2025, down 4.0% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 33,802 over 2,564 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,802 | 1,978,707 | −1,461 |
| Households | 14,890±264 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.23±0.04 | 2.42 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 16,624±104 | 863,444 | −178 |
Lincoln County's population since 2000
From 34,632 in 2000 to 33,303 in 2025: down 3.8%. 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 Lincoln County?
Lincoln County holds 7 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is North Platte with 22,524 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| North Platte | 23,390 | $58,097 |
|---|---|---|
| Sutherland | 1,313 | $72,857 |
| Hershey | 649 | $91,458 |
| Brady | 383 | $80,833 |
| Wallace | 318 | $63,125 |
| MaxwellGEOID 3131220 | 257 | $87,500 |
| WellfleetGEOID 3152085 | 72 | $49,792 |
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 Lincoln County?
The median resident of Lincoln County is 42.4 years old; 22.9% are under 18 and 21.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 86.0%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.3%. 2.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4±0.4 | 37.2 | +1.3 |
| Under 18 years | 22.9%±0.1 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.1%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.3% | 12.7% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 86.0%±0.4 pts | 75.3% | −1.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 4.6% | −0.4 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.8%±0.8 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.1%±1.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±1.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 17.4%±1.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.6%±1.5 pts | 7.2% | −2.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.2%±1.2 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.7%±1.9 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.3%±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.6 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 Lincoln County earn?
Half of Lincoln County's 14,890 households earn less than $65,148 a year (±$4,966), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 the median was $73,589 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $8,441 after inflation. 12.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,148±$4,966 | $76,475 | −$8,441 |
| Mean household income | $79,130±$3,712 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $35,420±$1,444 | $41,751 | −$3,429 |
| People below the poverty line | 12.4%±2.3 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.9%±6.0 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 11.6%±2.2 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.5%±2.0 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 Lincoln County?
Owners occupy 65.6% of Lincoln County's occupied homes and renters 34.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $189,500 by its owner (±$7,482). The median renter pays $900 a month including utilities, and 32.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $189,500±$7,482 | $238,600 | +$17,941 |
| Median gross rent | $900±$44 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.9%±5.5 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,504±$74 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.6%±2.9 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 16,624±104 | 863,444 | −178 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.9%±3.2 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 74.9%±2.4 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 7.3%±1.6 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.9%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.5%±2.4 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 Lincoln County building?
Builders took permits for 235 new housing units across Lincoln County in 2025 (44 single-family), 7.1 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 Lincoln County get to work?
85.8% of Lincoln County's workers drive alone and 3.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Lincoln County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 64.6%±1.9 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 85.8%±2.1 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 6.4%±1.5 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.6 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 1.9%±0.8 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.6%±0.9 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.4 min±0.7 | 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 Lincoln County's census tracts?
Lincoln County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $48,842 (Tract 9602) to $91,053 (Tract 9606).
| Tract 959731111959700 | 3,450±317 | $79,412 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 959831111959800 | 3,135±305 | $71,875 |
| Tract 959931111959900 | 5,030±742 | $53,356 |
| Tract 960231111960200 | 3,634±412 | $48,842 |
| Tract 960331111960300 | 4,561±572 | $69,620 |
| Tract 960431111960400 | 4,949±504 | $61,475 |
| Tract 960531111960500 | 5,117±463 | $60,430 |
| Tract 960631111960600 | 3,926±260 | $91,053 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lincoln County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 10th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 78th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 35th of 93 |
| Median household income | 60th of 93 |
| Median home value | 26th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 21st of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 25th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 61st of 93 |
| Median age | 51st 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 Lincoln 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.