County · Nebraska
Saline County, Nebraska
Saline County, Nebraska. Saline County had 14,996 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 8 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 31151.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
14,996
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 14,292 · ACS 2020-2024: 14,650
Median household income
$79,910
±$4,360 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$197,400
±$15,953 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$914
±$96 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Saline County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 14,292 residents in Saline County. The Census Bureau estimates 14,996 for July 1, 2025, up 1.6% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 14,650 over 574 square miles of land.
| Measure | Saline County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 14,650 | 1,978,707 | +380 |
| Households | 5,143±203 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.73±0.11 | 2.42 | +0.14 |
| Housing units | 5,799±29 | 863,444 | no clear change |
Saline County's population since 2000
From 13,843 in 2000 to 14,996 in 2025: up 8.3%. 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 Saline County?
Saline County holds 8 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Crete with 7,747 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Crete | 7,099 | $77,209 |
|---|---|---|
| Wilber | 1,937 | $84,712 |
| Friend | 954 | $90,909 |
| Dorchester | 610 | $74,286 |
| De Witt | 530 | $80,526 |
| WesternGEOID 3152295 | 227 | $53,750 |
| TobiasGEOID 3149005 | 114 | $61,250 |
| SwantonGEOID 3148060 | 82 | $61,146 |
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 Saline County?
The median resident of Saline County is 37.3 years old; 26.1% are under 18 and 15.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 29.5%. 17.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Saline County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.3±1.3 | 37.2 | +1.8 |
| Under 18 years | 26.1%±0.7 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.4%±0.6 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 29.5% | 12.7% | +4.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.8%±0.2 pts | 75.3% | −4.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 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 | 2.7%±0.8 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 17.1%±2.1 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 28.5%±1.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.8%±1.2 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4%±2.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.7%±2.7 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.3%±3.0 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.8%±2.4 pts | 34.6% | +4.0 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.6%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.8%±0.5 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 Saline County earn?
Half of Saline County's 5,143 households earn less than $79,910 a year (±$4,360), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,383 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $16,527 after inflation. 8.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Saline County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $79,910±$4,360 | $76,475 | +$16,527 |
| Mean household income | $94,556±$5,815 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $33,639±$1,887 | $41,751 | +$3,331 |
| People below the poverty line | 8.9%±2.4 pts | 10.6% | −6.4 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.6%±4.3 pts | 12.0% | −8.8 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.5%±2.0 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.6%±3.0 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 Saline County?
Owners occupy 75.9% of Saline County's occupied homes and renters 24.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $197,400 by its owner (±$15,953). The median renter pays $914 a month including utilities, and 15.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Saline County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $197,400±$15,953 | $238,600 | +$75,192 |
| Median gross rent | $914±$96 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 15.7%±6.4 pts | 35.9% | −30.3 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,676±$91 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 75.9%±3.6 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 5,799±29 | 863,444 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.6%±1.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.8%±6.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 83.3%±3.3 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.4%±2.4 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±1.2 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 31.0%±3.1 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 Saline County building?
Builders took permits for 34 new housing units across Saline County in 2025 (22 single-family), 2.3 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 Saline County get to work?
78.6% of Saline County's workers drive alone and 4.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.9%.
| Measure | Saline County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.4%±2.9 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.9%±1.3 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.6%±3.7 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 12.5%±3.0 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.4%±1.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.5%±1.4 pts | 11.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.5 min±2.3 | 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 Saline County's census tracts?
Saline County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $64,018 (Tract 9606.02) to $82,539 (Tract 9609).
| Tract 9606.0131151960601 | 4,557±450 | $82,217 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9606.0231151960602 | 3,697±432 | $64,018 |
| Tract 960731151960700 | 2,222±246 | $81,680 |
| Tract 960831151960800 | 1,335±158 | $81,771 |
| Tract 960931151960900 | 2,839±272 | $82,539 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Saline County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 20th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 24th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 19th of 93 |
| Median household income | 11th of 93 |
| Median home value | 20th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 17th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 60th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 68th of 93 |
| Median age | 82nd 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 Saline 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.