County · Nebraska
Red Willow County, Nebraska
Red Willow County, Nebraska. Red Willow County had 10,307 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.7% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 3 census tracts. GEOID 31145.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
10,307
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 10,702 · ACS 2020-2024: 10,557
Median household income
$63,697
±$9,655 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$159,600
±$13,611 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$819
±$98 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Red Willow County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 10,702 residents in Red Willow County. The Census Bureau estimates 10,307 for July 1, 2025, down 3.7% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 10,557 over 717 square miles of land.
| Measure | Red Willow County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 10,557 | 1,978,707 | −211 |
| Households | 4,504±217 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.11 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,150±19 | 863,444 | −175 |
Red Willow County's population since 2000
From 11,448 in 2000 to 10,307 in 2025: down 10.0%. 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 Red Willow County?
Red Willow County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is McCook with 7,157 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
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 Red Willow County?
The median resident of Red Willow County is 41.6 years old; 22.4% are under 18 and 21.0% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 88.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 6.3%. 2.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Red Willow County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6±1.1 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 22.4%±1.0 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.0%±0.1 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 6.3% | 12.7% | +1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 88.8%±1.5 pts | 75.3% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 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 | 3.4%±1.7 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 8.0% | – |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.5%±1.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.6%±2.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 17.2%±2.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 8.9%±2.6 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.1%±2.8 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 24.8%±3.1 pts | 34.6% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.9%±1.7 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±1.6 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 Red Willow County earn?
Half of Red Willow County's 4,504 households earn less than $63,697 a year (±$9,655), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $60,068 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Red Willow County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $63,697±$9,655 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $86,040±$10,378 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,919±$4,018 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 14.0%±5.0 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 23.1%±13.2 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.2%±3.3 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.8%±4.2 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 Red Willow County?
Owners occupy 73.0% of Red Willow County's occupied homes and renters 27.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $159,600 by its owner (±$13,611). The median renter pays $819 a month including utilities, and 40.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Red Willow County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $159,600±$13,611 | $238,600 | +$25,454 |
| Median gross rent | $819±$98 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.3%±12.9 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,327±$97 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.0%±5.1 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,150±19 | 863,444 | −175 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 4.6%±2.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8%±3.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 81.3%±3.5 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.2%±2.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 30.2%±4.1 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 Red Willow County building?
Builders took permits for 9 new housing units across Red Willow County in 2025 (9 single-family), 0.9 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 Red Willow County get to work?
87.0% of Red Willow County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 11.3 minutes.
| Measure | Red Willow County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 62.9%±2.7 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.4%±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 87.0%±3.8 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 4.0%±1.8 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.6%±0.8 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.9%±1.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±2.4 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 11.3 min±1.3 | 19.2 min | −2.1 min |
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 Red Willow County's census tracts?
Red Willow County is divided into 3 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,625 (Tract 9633) to $83,080 (Tract 9631).
| Tract 963131145963100 | 2,551±214 | $83,080 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 963231145963200 | 4,644±287 | $65,962 |
| Tract 963331145963300 | 3,362±332 | $50,625 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Red Willow County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 24th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 75th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 29th of 93 |
| Median household income | 66th of 93 |
| Median home value | 45th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 38th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 41st of 93 |
| Median age | 58th 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 Red Willow 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.