County · Nebraska
Seward County, Nebraska
Seward County, Nebraska. Seward County had 18,032 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.4% since 2020, in line with Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 11 places (10 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 4 census tracts. GEOID 31159.
Seward County is one of the 2 counties of the Lincoln, NE metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
18,032
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 17,609 · ACS 2020-2024: 17,641
Median household income
$82,444
±$4,539 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$241,300
±$11,476 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$980
±$73 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Seward County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 17,609 residents in Seward County. The Census Bureau estimates 18,032 for July 1, 2025, up 2.4% since 2020, in line with Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 17,641 over 571 square miles of land.
| Measure | Seward County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 17,641 | 1,978,707 | +470 |
| Households | 6,788±154 | 797,847 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.41±0.05 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,206±55 | 863,444 | no clear change |
Seward County's population since 2000
From 16,496 in 2000 to 18,032 in 2025: up 9.3%. 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 Seward County?
Seward County holds 11 places: 10 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Seward with 7,892 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Seward | 7,643 | $72,564 |
|---|---|---|
| Milford | 2,155 | $82,699 |
| Utica | 840 | $88,304 |
| Beaver Crossing | 375 | $62,813 |
| StaplehurstGEOID 3146835 | 236 | $83,060 |
| Pleasant Dale | 218 | $64,250 |
| GarlandGEOID 3118230 | 210 | $51,979 |
| GoehnerGEOID 3119245 | 181 | $96,767 |
| Bee | 171 | $99,688 |
| CordovaGEOID 3110495 | 92 | $49,250 |
| TamoraGEOID 3148340 | 44 | 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 Seward County?
The median resident of Seward County is 38.0 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 18.2% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 93.7%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 3.0%. 1.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Seward County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0±0.5 | 37.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.3%±0.1 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 18.2%±0.3 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 3.0% | 12.7% | +0.4 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 93.7%±0.2 pts | 75.3% | −1.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 4.6% | +0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.4 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.2%±0.5 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.2%±0.8 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.2%±1.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 11.0%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.1%±1.2 pts | 7.2% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.7%±1.0 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.2%±2.7 pts | 34.6% | +4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 10.5%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.0%±0.7 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 Seward County earn?
Half of Seward County's 6,788 households earn less than $82,444 a year (±$4,539), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $86,627 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Seward County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $82,444±$4,539 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $99,633±$4,056 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,704±$1,483 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.4%±1.7 pts | 10.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 6.6%±2.4 pts | 12.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.4%±1.4 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.6%±1.9 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 Seward County?
Owners occupy 72.0% of Seward County's occupied homes and renters 28.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $241,300 by its owner (±$11,476). The median renter pays $980 a month including utilities, and 29.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Seward County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $241,300±$11,476 | $238,600 | +$34,297 |
| Median gross rent | $980±$73 | $1,072 | +$89 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 29.7%±6.7 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,618±$70 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 72.0%±2.5 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,206±55 | 863,444 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.9%±2.8 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.6%±2.4 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.8%±0.7 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.4%±0.8 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 27.3%±2.8 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 Seward County building?
Builders took permits for 56 new housing units across Seward County in 2025 (54 single-family), 3.1 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 Seward County get to work?
79.0% of Seward County's workers drive alone and 6.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.1%.
| Measure | Seward County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.1%±1.9 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.1%±0.9 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.0%±2.3 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.7%±1.6 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 4.6%±1.0 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.9%±1.3 pts | 11.0% | +1.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.1 min±1.1 | 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 Seward County's census tracts?
Seward County is divided into 4 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $61,864 (Tract 9602) to $92,083 (Tract 9601).
| Tract 960131159960100 | 4,498±235 | $92,083 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 960231159960200 | 2,426±313 | $61,864 |
| Tract 960331159960300 | 5,588±307 | $82,583 |
| Tract 960431159960400 | 5,129±246 | $76,875 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Seward County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 18th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 18th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th of 93 |
| Median household income | 7th of 93 |
| Median home value | 9th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 71st of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 93 |
| Median age | 79th 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 Seward 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.