County · Nebraska
Otoe County, Nebraska
Otoe County, Nebraska. Otoe County had 16,531 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.9% since 2020, faster than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 11 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 31131.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
16,531
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,912 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,241
Median household income
$82,188
±$6,560 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$201,600
±$14,272 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$914
±$58 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Otoe County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,912 residents in Otoe County. The Census Bureau estimates 16,531 for July 1, 2025, up 3.9% since 2020, faster than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,241 over 616 square miles of land.
| Measure | Otoe County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,241 | 1,978,707 | +292 |
| Households | 6,383±187 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.51±0.07 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 6,999±32 | 863,444 | −170 |
Otoe County's population since 2000
From 15,396 in 2000 to 16,531 in 2025: up 7.4%. 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 Otoe County?
Otoe County holds 11 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Nebraska City with 7,512 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Nebraska City | 7,222 | $67,117 |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse | 1,941 | $72,404 |
| Palmyra | 534 | $85,139 |
| UnadillaGEOID 3149530 | 296 | $70,000 |
| Woodland HillsGEOID 3153575 | 232 | $138,646 |
| TalmageGEOID 3148305 | 198 | $63,929 |
| DouglasGEOID 3113505 | 166 | $71,250 |
| DunbarGEOID 3113855 | 165 | $90,795 |
| OtoeGEOID 3137630 | 161 | $44,375 |
| BurrGEOID 3107205 | 52 | $72,500 |
| LortonGEOID 3129175 | 35 | 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 Otoe County?
The median resident of Otoe County is 41.7 years old; 24.0% are under 18 and 20.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.5%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 9.0%. 5.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Otoe County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7±0.8 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 24.0%±0.1 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.6%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 9.0% | 12.7% | +0.9 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.5%±1.1 pts | 75.3% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.4 pts | 4.6% | +0.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0%±1.3 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.3%±2.0 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.3%±1.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 9.4%±1.8 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 13.5%±1.6 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.9%±1.1 pts | 7.2% | −2.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.3%±1.8 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.2%±2.7 pts | 34.6% | +3.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.4%±2.1 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.4%±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 Otoe County earn?
Half of Otoe County's 6,383 households earn less than $82,188 a year (±$6,560), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 the median was $72,816 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $9,372 after inflation. 9.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Otoe County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $82,188±$6,560 | $76,475 | +$9,372 |
| Mean household income | $104,311±$7,907 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,433±$3,570 | $41,751 | +$4,728 |
| People below the poverty line | 9.1%±2.0 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.2%±4.3 pts | 12.0% | −9.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.0%±1.5 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 93.4%±1.4 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 Otoe County?
Owners occupy 82.3% of Otoe County's occupied homes and renters 17.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $201,600 by its owner (±$14,272). The median renter pays $914 a month including utilities, and 20.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Otoe County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $201,600±$14,272 | $238,600 | +$24,503 |
| Median gross rent | $914±$58 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 20.0%±7.1 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,543±$65 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 82.3%±3.0 pts | 66.5% | +12.5 pts |
| Housing units | 6,999±32 | 863,444 | −170 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.6 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.5%±6.5 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 84.1%±2.6 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.8%±2.1 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 28.0%±2.9 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 Otoe County building?
Builders took permits for 24 new housing units across Otoe County in 2025 (24 single-family), 1.5 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 Otoe County get to work?
82.4% of Otoe County's workers drive alone and 5.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.7%.
| Measure | Otoe County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 66.2%±1.7 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.7%±1.1 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 82.4%±2.6 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.0%±2.1 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±1.1 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.2%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.9 min±1.4 | 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 Otoe County's census tracts?
Otoe County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $62,308 (Tract 9670) to $105,938 (Tract 9666).
| Tract 966631131966600 | 2,113±230 | $105,938 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 966731131966700 | 3,140±259 | $90,605 |
| Tract 966831131966800 | 3,203±235 | $86,652 |
| Tract 966931131966900 | 5,085±362 | $73,214 |
| Tract 967031131967000 | 2,700±302 | $62,308 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Otoe County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 19th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 8th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 16th of 93 |
| Median household income | 8th of 93 |
| Median home value | 19th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 57th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25th of 93 |
| Median age | 57th 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 Otoe 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.