If you’ve ever driven down Highway 75 and pulled into Nebraska City during the AppleJack Festival, you’d swear the place has a hundred thousand people. The streets are packed, the smell of cider is everywhere, and you can barely find a parking spot near Arbor Day Farm. But that’s the thing about this town—it punches way above its weight class. When we look at nebraska city by population, the raw numbers tell a story of a steady, quiet resilience that’s actually becoming pretty rare in rural America.
Honestly, people usually assume one of two things: either the town is exploding because it’s so close to Omaha, or it’s shrinking like so many other small Midwestern hubs. Neither is quite right.
The Real Numbers Right Now
As of early 2026, Nebraska City is sitting at an estimated population of about 7,526 residents.
Now, if you compare that to the 2020 Census—where the official count was 7,213—you’ll notice something interesting. The town is actually growing. We’re talking a growth rate of roughly 0.76% to 1.03% annually over the last few years. While that might not sound like a Silicon Valley boom, in the world of rural Nebraska, a steady upward tick is a massive win. Most small towns in the state are fighting just to keep their high school graduates from moving to Lincoln, but Nebraska City seems to have found a way to pull people in.
Why Is Everyone Moving to the Apple Capital?
You’ve gotta wonder why this specific spot is growing when others aren't. It’s not just the trees, though being the home of Arbor Day definitely helps with the "vibe."
A huge factor is the Omaha-Lincoln-Nebraska City triangle. Basically, Nebraska City has become a viable option for people who work in the big cities but don't want to live in a cookie-cutter suburb. You can be in South Omaha in 45 minutes. That makes it a "commuter-lite" town.
But it’s more than just a bedroom community. The local economy is surprisingly sturdy. You have:
- Manufacturing: This is actually the biggest employer in town, with over 700 people working in the sector.
- Education and Health: Since it’s the county seat of Otoe County, the schools and medical facilities are bigger than you’d expect for 7,500 people.
- Utilities: It’s a high-paying sector here, with median earnings sometimes hitting the $86,000 mark.
Who Actually Lives Here?
If you look at the nebraska city by population demographics, it’s a bit of a mix. The median age is around 37 to 41, which is fairly "young" for a rural area. It means there are actual families here, not just retirees.
About 14.5% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino. This diversity is a major reason why the town hasn't shriveled up. Like many other Nebraska towns—think Columbus or Lexington—international migration has been the "secret sauce" that keeps the local workforce energized and the schools full.
Interestingly, about 86% of the people here are U.S.-born, but the 10-11% who aren't are largely responsible for the recent growth spurts. It’s a community that is slowly, subtly changing its face while keeping that "small-town Nebraska" feel.
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The Cost of Living Reality
Let’s be real: money talks. The reason the population is ticking up is because your dollar goes a lot further here than in Omaha.
- Housing: You can still find a decent home for under $200,000, though those are getting harder to snag.
- Rent: Median gross rent hovers around $910. Try finding that in a "cool" part of Lincoln.
- Income: The average household income is pushing past $86,000.
When you do the math, you’re often left with more "fun money" at the end of the month. That’s a huge draw for young families who are tired of the "rent trap" in bigger metros.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Growth
The biggest misconception is that Nebraska City is "expanding." In reality, it’s "densifying." The city limits aren't stretching out miles into the cornfields every year. Instead, old houses are being renovated, and small apartment projects are popping up.
It’s a slow-burn growth.
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It’s also worth noting that while the population is going up, the "vibe" stays the same because the town is built to handle way more people than actually live there. Because of the tourism—thanks to the Lied Lodge and the AppleJack Festival—the infrastructure (parks, restaurants, roads) is designed for a much larger "daytime" population.
Is the Growth Sustainable?
This is where things get a bit tricky. Nebraska’s Legislative Research Office and the University of Nebraska-Omaha (CPAR) have been watching these trends closely. They project that while the "I-80 corridor" and surrounding areas will keep growing, the pace might slow down toward 2030.
The challenge for Nebraska City is housing. There are only so many existing homes, and building new ones is expensive. If the town can't figure out how to add 500 more rooftops in the next five years, that nebraska city by population number might plateau.
Actionable Insights for You
If you’re looking at these population numbers because you’re thinking of moving or investing, here’s the "boots on the ground" advice:
- Check the School District: Nebraska City Public Schools are the heart of the community. If you're moving for the "family feel," visit the schools first. They are the main reason the 25-44 age bracket is the largest adult demographic.
- Watch the 4th Corso: This is where the commercial growth is happening. If you see new businesses opening there, it’s a sign the population growth is hitting the "spending" phase.
- Visit in November: Don't just go during the AppleJack Festival in September. Go when it’s cold and quiet. If you still like the town when the tourists are gone, you’ll love living there.
- Remote Work Potential: With a 19-minute average commute for locals, the town is perfectly set up for hybrid workers. Check the fiber internet availability in specific neighborhoods before buying.
The bottom line? Nebraska City isn't a sleepy relic. It’s a rare example of a rural town that’s actually winning the numbers game. It’s growing, it’s diversifying, and it’s doing it without losing its soul.
Next Steps for Research:
Check the latest Otoe County Economic Development reports to see which new businesses have filed for permits this year. This is the best "leading indicator" for whether the population will continue to climb through 2027. Also, keep an eye on the US Census Bureau's ACS 5-year estimates released every December for the most granular look at age and income shifts.