Lincoln, NE Metro Area

Lincoln, NE · Metro Area

344,337Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties (1 central, 1 outlying), part of the Lincoln-Beatrice, NE combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $75,049
Median home value: $273,500
Land area: 1,410 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Lancaster County, NE	Central	326,696	$74,793	$275,200
Seward County, NE	Outlying	17,641	$82,444	$241,300

Largest cities and towns

26 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Lincoln, NE	City	294,856	$71,867
Seward, NE	City	7,678	$72,564
Waverly, NE	City	4,440	$111,632
Hickman, NE	City	3,004	$104,375
Milford, NE	City	2,565	$82,699
Bennet, NE	Village	1,218	$105,859
Utica, NE	Village	1,015	$88,304
Firth, NE	Village	604	$80,938
Walton, NE	CDP	579	$48,088
Malcolm, NE	Village	480	$85,625
Beaver Crossing, NE	Village	357	$62,813
Hallam, NE	Village	346	$98,214
Staplehurst, NE	Village	322	$83,060
Goehner, NE	Village	309	$96,767
Bee, NE	Village	281	$99,688
Yankee Hill, NE	CDP	250	$71,597
Pleasant Dale, NE	Village	244	$64,250
Roca, NE	Village	242	$100,000
Panama, NE	Village	232	$94,514
Raymond, NE	Village	187	$99,107
Garland, NE	Village	180	$51,979
Sprague, NE	Village	176	$81,250
Denton, NE	Village	145	$57,250
Cordova, NE	Village	131	$49,250
Davey, NE	Village	117	$109,375

Also in the Lincoln-Beatrice, NE combined area

Beatrice, NE · micro · 21,629

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

11.7%

Unemployment

3.1%

College Educated

41.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$75,049

Mean Household Income

$99,421

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

50.4%

Female

49.6%

Population Split

Male50.4%

Female49.6%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German32.6%

Irish11.3%

English10.1%

Mexican5.3%

Polish2.1%

Italian1.8%

French1.8%

Scottish1.4%

African0.9%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

8.3%Foreign Born

91.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized51.4%

Non-Citizen48.6%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later49.6%

Before 201050.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

147,530

Median Rent

$1,082/mo

Median Home Value

$273,500

Median Year Built

1982

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

100,628

College Enrollment

30.6%

High School

17.5%

College Educated

41.4%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

19.2 min

Drive Alone Rate

74.5%

Public Transit

0.7%

Work From Home

11.4%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

22.5%

18-34 Years

28.1%

35-64 Years

34.0%

65+ Years

15.4%

Population Composition

Under 1822.5%

18-3428.1%

35-6434.0%

65+15.4%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

46.0%

Single Parent

5.2%

Living Alone

31.3%

Avg Size

2.34

Household Types

Married Couples46.0%

Single Parent5.2%

Living Alone31.3%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$40,917

SNAP Usage

8.2%

Health Insurance

94.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k13.6%

$25k - $50k19.4%

$50k - $100k30.6%

$100k+36.5%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.7%

Retail Trade

10.6%

Education & Health Care

27.1%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.3%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

94.1%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.6%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

97.0%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

91.6

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

149.9

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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