County · Nebraska
Thurston County, Nebraska
Thurston County, Nebraska. Thurston County had 6,752 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.3% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. It holds 18 places (6 cities, villages and boroughs, 11 towns and townships and 1 census-designated) and 2 census tracts. GEOID 31173.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
6,752
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 6,773 · ACS 2020-2024: 6,627
Median household income
$69,177
±$2,235 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$114,600
±$11,639 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$699
±$45 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Thurston County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 6,773 residents in Thurston County. The Census Bureau estimates 6,752 for July 1, 2025, down 0.3% since 2020, while Nebraska grew 2.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 6,627 over 394 square miles of land.
| Measure | Thurston County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 6,627 | 1,978,707 | −554 |
| Households | 1,990±42 | 797,847 | −186 |
| Average household size | 3.27±0.07 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,290±23 | 863,444 | −152 |
Thurston County's population since 2000
From 7,171 in 2000 to 6,752 in 2025: down 5.8%. 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 Thurston County?
Thurston County holds 18 places: 6 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 11 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Winnebago Township with 1,999 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Winnebago Township | 1,989 | $65,625 |
|---|---|---|
| Pender Township | 1,297 | $84,792 |
| Blackbird Township | 1,290 | $44,688 |
| Pender | 1,115 | $73,125 |
| Macy | 1,045 | $42,500 |
| Omaha Township | 997 | $66,932 |
| Winnebago | 916 | $41,447 |
| Walthill | 682 | $70,398 |
| Dawes Township | 302 | $66,250 |
| Flournoy Township | 269 | $70,625 |
| Perry TownshipGEOID 3117338907 | 238 | $72,500 |
| Rosalie | 159 | $66,875 |
| Anderson TownshipGEOID 3117301377 | 124 | $46,797 |
| Emerson | 840 | $57,292 |
| ThurstonGEOID 3148900 | 116 | $71,667 |
| Thayer TownshipGEOID 3117348672 | 110 | $81,667 |
| Merry TownshipGEOID 3117331832 | 84 | $97,188 |
| Bryan TownshipGEOID 3117306907 | 73 | $93,125 |
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 Thurston County?
The median resident of Thurston County is 29.2 years old; 34.3% are under 18 and 12.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native residents at 53.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 36.2%. 1.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Thurston County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.2±0.5 | 37.2 | +1.7 |
| Under 18 years | 34.3%±0.3 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 12.6%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.9% | 12.7% | −1.0 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 36.2%±0.5 pts | 75.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 2.6% | +0.6 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 53.7%±1.0 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±1.0 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.8%±0.4 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.8%±1.2 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6%±1.0 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 8.7%±1.2 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 9.4%±1.4 pts | 7.2% | −15.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.9%±1.6 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 22.2%±2.3 pts | 34.6% | +5.8 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.7%±1.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±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 Thurston County earn?
Half of Thurston County's 1,990 households earn less than $69,177 a year (±$2,235), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,807 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $6,370 after inflation. 13.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Thurston County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $69,177±$2,235 | $76,475 | +$6,370 |
| Mean household income | $86,211±$6,346 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,509±$1,781 | $41,751 | +$2,722 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.9%±2.9 pts | 10.6% | −11.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 18.4%±5.1 pts | 12.0% | −15.4 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.7%±2.6 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 87.2%±2.7 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 Thurston County?
Owners occupy 61.0% of Thurston County's occupied homes and renters 39.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,600 by its owner (±$11,639). The median renter pays $699 a month including utilities, and 22.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Thurston County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $114,600±$11,639 | $238,600 | +$16,391 |
| Median gross rent | $699±$45 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 22.9%±6.2 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,370±$77 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 61.0%±3.5 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 2,290±23 | 863,444 | −152 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.8%±2.1 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 80.9%±2.3 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.8%±1.2 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.4%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.7%±2.3 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 Thurston County building?
Builders took permits for 2 new housing units across Thurston County in 2025 (2 single-family), 0.3 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 Thurston County get to work?
83.4% of Thurston County's workers drive alone and 3.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 10.0%.
| Measure | Thurston County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 65.5%±2.3 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 10.0%±2.0 pts | 3.0% | −3.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 83.4%±3.2 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.6%±1.8 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.7%±0.5 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 4.3%±1.7 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.2%±1.0 pts | 11.0% | −2.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.3 min±2.8 | 19.2 min | +5.1 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 Thurston County's census tracts?
Thurston County is divided into 2 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $68,884 (Tract 9402) to $69,329 (Tract 9401).
| Tract 940131173940100 | 3,943±197 | $69,329 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 940231173940200 | 2,684±197 | $68,884 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Thurston County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 44th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 46th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 25th of 93 |
| Median household income | 45th of 93 |
| Median home value | 77th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 69th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 8th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 66th of 93 |
| Median age | 93rd 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 Thurston 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.