Income and Poverty in the State of Nebraska

Black or African American householders reported household income levels that were 33.6 percent less than the total 2000 reported median, with a their median reported to be $30,514. Hispanic Householders in Nebraska, according to the 2000 census, had a median household income of $38,564, this income level is 16 percent less than reported value of the areas total household median income for all households. The Asian headed households reported median household incomes of $49,076. This income level is 6.9 percent greater than the reported median household income, in the state, for all households. In the State of Nebraska, White headed households reported household income (in 2005 Dollars) of $46,980 as reported in 2000 by the census, which was 2.3 percent greater than the median income in 2000. The American Indian and Alaska Native householders in Nebraska had a median income of $28,045, this level was 38.9 percent less than the areas median level for all households.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Nebraska range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 26.9 percent in Keya Paha County to a low of 4.2 percent in Sarpy County.

Top ten counties in terms of poverty rate in the State of Nebraska
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Keya Paha County (26.9 percent)
2. Thurston County (25.6 )
3. Rock County (21.8 percent)
4. Wheeler County (20.9 percent)
5. Blaine County (19.4 percent)
6. Dawes County (18.9 percent)
7. Hayes County (18.4 percent)
8. Loup County (17.7 percent)
9. McPherson County (16.2 percent)
10. Knox County (15.6 percent)


Compared to other States throughout the nation, the State of Nebraska was reported to have a medium-low median income for all households of $45,923 (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars). This figure is 7 percent lower than the median in the US, which is $49,133.

While the median household income saw a decline in the last five year in the State of Nebraska, the Race/Ethnicity group that experienced the largest decline in median income was the Black or African American Race/Ethnicity category. This group experienced a decline of 41.9 percent in the last five years. The White population group was least impacted by the household income decline in Nebraska, undergoing a 48.5 percent increase in median income, since the values reporting the 2000 Decennial Census.

The poverty rate in the State of Nebraska has increased by 1.2 percent since the amount published in 2000, moving from 9.7 percent to 10.9 percent.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Nebraska range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $62,951 in Sarpy County to a low of $29,146 in Keya Paha County.

Top ten counties in highest household income in the State of Nebraska
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. Sarpy County ($62,951)
2. Washington County ($56,745 )
3. Cass County ($54,423)
4. Douglas County ($50,555)
5. Seward County ($49,959)
6. Saunders County ($49,342)
7. Lancaster County ($48,965)
8. Hamilton County ($47,124)
9. Box Butte County ($46,058)
10. Platte County ($46,050)


The median household income in the area has declined from the inflation-adjusted 2000 income levels. The income level has decreased to $43,849, which amounts to a 4.5 percent decline. The State of Nebraska ranks 32 of 46 states when analyzing the decline in median income level for the United States.

When compared to other States across the United States, the State of Nebraska can be understood to have a medium-low poverty rate amid the residents with a poverty rate of 9.7 percent with a family income under the 1999 poverty level. The American Indian and Alaska Native race/ethnicity population category, holds the highest rate of poverty with 33 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged 5 years have the most percent of people living in poverty in Nebraska, reporting 14.4 percent of this demographic group living with incomes under poverty.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.