County · Nebraska

Nuckolls County, Nebraska

Nuckolls County, Nebraska. Nuckolls County had 4,100 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, about level with 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 7 places (7 cities, villages and boroughs) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 31129.

Residents, July 2025 estimate

4,100

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 4,095 · ACS 2020-2024: 4,087

Median household income

$73,976

±$4,975 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475

Median home value

$96,500

±$12,478 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600

Median gross rent

$585

±$154 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072

How many people live in Nuckolls County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 4,095 residents in Nuckolls County. The Census Bureau estimates 4,100 for July 1, 2025, about level with 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 4,087 over 575 square miles of land.

  • July 2020→2021 −21 (4,072)
  • 2021→2022 +4 (4,076)
  • 2022→2023 +24 (4,100)
  • 2023→2024 −4 (4,096)
  • 2024→2025 +4 (4,100)
Nuckolls County in Nebraska. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.
Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
MeasureNuckolls CountyNebraskaChange since 2015-2019
Total population4,0871,978,707−157
Households1,919±89797,847no clear change
Average household size2.08±0.102.42−0.16
Housing units2,220±24863,444−225

Nuckolls County's population since 2000

From 5,057 in 2000 to 4,100 in 2025: down 18.9%. 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.

  • 2000 Census 5,057
  • 2005 (estimate) 4,796
  • 2010 Census 4,500
  • 2015 (estimate) 4,323
  • 2020 Census 4,095
  • 2025 (estimate) 4,100

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 Nuckolls County?

Nuckolls County holds 7 places: 7 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Superior with 1,821 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Nuckolls County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.
Superiorcity1,8251,879±153$63,810$82,4005.5%100%
Nelsoncity456487±84$50,000$71,7008.5%100%
Lawrencevillage272223±48$69,375$89,4001.8%100%
RuskinGEOID 3142810village105149±70$78,607$91,30016.1%100%
HardyGEOID 3120995village97113±48$60,938$14,80014.2%100%
OakGEOID 3135245village5488±29$56,818$22,30028.4%100%
NoraGEOID 3134545village2128±19not publishednot published10.7%100%

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 Nuckolls County?

The median resident of Nuckolls County is 50.6 years old; 18.4% are under 18 and 29.3% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 92.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.6%.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
MeasureNuckolls CountyNebraskaChange since 2015-2019
Median age50.6±0.737.2+1.4
Under 18 years18.4%±0.3 pts24.5%–
65 years and over29.3%±1.1 pts16.7%–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)3.6%12.7%+0.8 pts
White alone, not Hispanic92.6%±0.5 pts75.3%−2.0 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic0.1%±0.4 pts4.6%–
Asian alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.6 pts2.6%–
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic0.4%±0.5 pts0.6%–
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.6 pts0.0%–
Two or more races, not Hispanic3.3%±0.8 pts3.8%–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic0.0%±0.6 pts0.4%–
Born outside the United States1.2%±0.8 pts8.0%–
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)1.6%±1.0 pts12.8%–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)9.4%±1.9 pts6.9%–
With a disability13.6%±2.7 pts12.3%–
No health insurance coverage9.3%±3.0 pts7.2%no clear change
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)92.4%±2.5 pts92.2%–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)23.1%±3.1 pts34.6%no clear change
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)8.1%±2.0 pts12.3%–
Moved from another state in the past year1.1%±0.9 pts2.4%–

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 Nuckolls County earn?

Half of Nuckolls County's 1,919 households earn less than $73,976 a year (±$4,975), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 the median was $53,397 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $20,579 after inflation. 5.7% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureNuckolls CountyNebraskaChange since 2015-2019
Median household income$73,976±$4,975$76,475+$20,579
Mean household income$87,420±$5,929$102,399–
Per capita income$40,896±$2,745$41,751no clear change
People below the poverty line5.7%±2.1 pts10.6%−5.5 pts
Children under 18 below the poverty line2.7%±2.0 pts12.0%–
Households receiving SNAP5.7%±2.3 pts8.2%–
Households with a broadband subscription84.6%±3.9 pts90.6%–

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 Nuckolls County?

Owners occupy 83.5% of Nuckolls County's occupied homes and renters 16.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $96,500 by its owner (±$12,478). The median renter pays $585 a month including utilities, and 18.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureNuckolls CountyNebraskaChange since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)$96,500±$12,478$238,600no clear change
Median gross rent$585±$154$1,072no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent18.3%±10.7 pts35.9%−19.4 pts
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage$1,222±$207$1,736–
Owner-occupied homes83.5%±4.0 pts66.5%+7.7 pts
Housing units2,220±24863,444−225
Homeowner vacancy rate1.0%±1.0 pts0.6%–
Rental vacancy rate8.1%±10.4 pts4.3%–
Single-family detached homes92.5%±3.2 pts71.3%–
Mobile homes1.8%±1.4 pts2.9%–
Built 2020 or later0.4%±0.5 pts1.8%–
Built 1939 or earlier40.3%±4.4 pts18.7%–

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 Nuckolls County building?

Builders took permits for 4 new housing units across Nuckolls County in 2025 (4 single-family), 1.0 per 1,000 residents.

  • 2019 3 units
  • 2020 4 units
  • 2021 3 units
  • 2022 3 units
  • 2023 8 units
  • 2024 6 units
  • 2025 4 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Nuckolls County get to work?

69.3% of Nuckolls County's workers drive alone and 10.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 20.3 minutes.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
MeasureNuckolls CountyNebraskaChange since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)63.2%±3.5 pts68.6%–
Unemployment rate0.6%±0.6 pts3.0%–
Drove alone to work69.3%±4.8 pts76.1%–
Carpooled11.7%±3.5 pts8.7%–
Public transportation0.0%±1.2 pts0.5%–
Walked6.0%±3.1 pts2.3%–
Worked from home10.9%±4.1 pts11.0%no clear change
Mean travel time to work20.3 min±2.419.2 minno 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 Nuckolls County's census tracts?

Nuckolls County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $63,750 (Tract 9601) to $85,682 (Tract 9600).

Census tracts of Nuckolls County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column
Tract 960031129960000Nelson (7%)2,1302,036±152$85,682$103,300$5295.6%
Tract 960131129960100Superior (84%)1,9652,051±152$63,750$84,900$6635.8%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Nuckolls County compare with Nebraska's other counties?

Nuckolls County's rank among Nebraska's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
MeasureRank
Population59th of 93
Growth 2020-202542nd of 93
Residents per square mile54th of 93
Median household income26th of 93
Median home value90th of 93
Median gross rent90th of 93
Poverty rate86th of 92
Bachelor's degree or higher57th of 93
Median age7th of 93

Every county in Nebraska

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 Nuckolls 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.