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Norfolk, NE Micro Area

Norfolk, NE · Micro Area

48,653Population

A micropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (1 central, 2 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income
$65,968
Median home value
$204,700
Land area
1,573 sq mi
31 people per sq mi

Market now

Counties in this micro area

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

CountyRolePopulationMedian incomeMedian home value
Madison County, NECentral35,532$63,128$208,500
Pierce County, NEOutlying7,325$72,357$196,000
Stanton County, NEOutlying5,796$80,687$195,400

Largest cities and towns

14 places in our city pages lie in this area.

PlaceTypePopulationMedian income
Norfolk, NECity26,054$58,884
Madison, NECity2,079$62,738
Pierce, NECity1,956$70,859
Stanton, NECity1,702$76,500
Woodland Park, NECDP1,657$74,000
Battle Creek, NECity1,456$95,536
Plainview, NECity1,281$54,766
Newman Grove, NECity885$54,861
Osmond, NECity647$66,250
Pilger, NEVillage382$74,286
Meadow Grove, NEVillage378$66,375
Hadar, NEVillage264$77,222
McLean, NEVillage86$97,625
Foster, NEVillage50—

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate
11.8%
Unemployment
2.6%
College Educated
23.8%
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
$65,968
Mean Household Income
$88,357

Income Distribution

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

Sex Distribution

Male
50.0%
Female
50.0%

Population Split

Male50.0%
Female50.0%

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

German41.4%
Mexican9.8%
Irish9.6%
English5.5%
Polish1.3%
French1.2%
Italian0.8%
Scottish0.7%
African0.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

6.3%Foreign Born
93.7%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized36.0%
Non-Citizen64.0%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later44.2%
Before 201055.8%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units
21,129
Median Rent
$882/mo
Median Home Value
$204,700
Median Year Built
1972

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

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

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled
11,814
College Enrollment
15.7%
High School
21.7%
College Educated
23.8%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

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

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time
16.1 min
Drive Alone Rate
80.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Work From Home
6.2%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

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

Age Distribution

Under 18
25.2%
18-34 Years
20.1%
35-64 Years
36.5%
65+ Years
18.2%

Population Composition

Under 1825.2%
18-3420.1%
35-6436.5%
65+18.2%

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
50.8%
Single Parent
5.4%
Living Alone
32.2%
Avg Size
2.42

Household Types

Married Couples50.8%
Single Parent5.4%
Living Alone32.2%

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
$36,224
SNAP Usage
7.9%
Health Insurance
93.1%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k17.8%
$25k - $50k18.6%
$50k - $100k33.8%
$100k+29.7%

Key Industries

Manufacturing
14.5%
Retail Trade
11.7%
Education & Health Care
23.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.6%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

93.1%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
84.5%vs ~90% National Avg
Computer Ownership
92.9%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
86.3
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
171.3
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)

The BEA publishes price levels for metro areas only, so for this micro area the cost-of-living figure is the state's average for areas outside metros.