Lancaster County, NE

County

Add Comparison

2021 Population

320,301

1.37% 1-year growth

US Senator

Deb Fischer

Republican Party

US Senator

Pete Ricketts

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

0.592% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

12%

1.21% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$65,086

4.2% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$204,400

7.58% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

173,950

1.38% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Lancaster County, NE had a population of 320k people with a median age of 34 and a median household income of $65,086. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Lancaster County, NE grew from 315,976 to 320,301, a 1.37% increase and its median household income grew from $62,464 to $65,086, a 4.2% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Lancaster County, NE are White (Non-Hispanic) (80%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (4.15%), White (Hispanic) (4.12%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.98%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.67%).

None of the households in Lancaster County, NE reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.7% of the residents in Lancaster County, NE are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Lancaster County, NE are University of Nebraska-Lincoln (6,179 degrees awarded in 2021), Southeast Community College Area (1,330 degrees), and Nebraska Wesleyan University (496 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Lancaster County, NE was $204,400, and the homeownership rate was 59.6%.

Most people in Lancaster County, NE drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 19.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Lancaster County, NE was 2 cars per household.

Lancaster County, NE borders Butler County, NE, Cass County, NE, Gage County, NE, Johnson County, NE, Otoe County, NE, Saline County, NE, Saunders County, NE, and Seward County, NE.

About the photo: Lancaster, NE

Photo by David Williss

United States Nebraska Lincoln, NE

Population & Diversity

Lancaster County, NE is home to a population of 320k people, from which 95.7% are citizens. As of 2021, 8.35% of Lancaster County, NE residents were born outside of the country (26.7k people).

In 2021, there were 19.3 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (256k people) in Lancaster County, NE than any other race or ethnicity. There were 13.3k Asian (Non-Hispanic) and 13.2k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.7%

2021 Citizenship

95.8%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95.7% of Lancaster County, NE residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Lancaster County, NE was 95.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lancaster County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Lancaster County, NE

White (Non-Hispanic)
256k ± 518
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
13.3k ± 666
White (Hispanic)
13.2k ± 1k

7.48%

Hispanic Population

24k people

7.48% of the people in Lancaster County, NE are hispanic (24k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Lancaster County, NE as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Nebraska.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
49,893 ± 5,413 people
Guatemala
9,174 ± 2,346 people
India
6,256 ± 1,939 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Nebraska was Mexico, the natal country of 49,893 Nebraska residents, followed by Guatemala with 9,174 and India with 6,256.

Foreign-Born Population

8.35%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

26.7k people

8.28%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

26.2k people

As of 2021, 8.35% of Lancaster County, NE residents (26.7k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lancaster County, NE was 8.28%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lancaster County, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
5,281 ± 421
Gulf War (2001-)
3,300 ± 358
Gulf War (1990s)
2,322 ± 375

Lancaster County, NE has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.6 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Lancaster County, NE employs 174k people. The largest industries in Lancaster County, NE are Health Care & Social Assistance (24,669 people), Educational Services (22,455 people), and Retail Trade (19,369 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($85,133), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($55,519), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($54,144).

Males in Nebraska have an average income that is 1.32 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,864. The income inequality in Nebraska (measured using the Gini index) is 0.444, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

174k

2021 Value

± 3,112

1.38%

1 Year growth

± 2.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Lancaster County, NE grew at a rate of 1.38%, from 172k employees to 174k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lancaster County, NE, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (20,812 people), Management Occupations (17,447 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (16,369 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lancaster County, NE.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Nebraska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

174k

2021 Value

± 3,112

1.38%

1 Year growth

± 2.51%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Lancaster County, NE grew at a rate of 1.38%, from 172k employees to 174k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lancaster County, NE, are Health Care & Social Assistance (24,669 people), Educational Services (22,455 people), and Retail Trade (19,369 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lancaster County, NE, though some of these residents may live in Lancaster County, NE and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$44,467

Median earning men ± $1,028

$32,222

Median earning women ± $708

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($62,575), Public Administration ($59,680), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($56,117).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($45,043), Public Administration ($42,083), and Wholesale Trade ($40,609).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Nebraska. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Nebraska.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

3,684
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
2,432
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
2,013
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.91M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$2.82M
Manufacturing
$2.36M
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Nebraska to other states, or from other states to Nebraska.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Nebraska product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $26B, followed by Live animals/fish ($14.9B) and Cereal grains ($13.5B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Nebraska products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Nebraska.

$145B

2020 Value in Nebraska

$286B

Projected 2050 Value in Nebraska

97.1% growth

In 2020, total outbound Nebraska trade was $145B. This is expected to increase 97.1% to $286B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Nebraska trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Nebraska to other states, or from other states to Nebraska.

Most Common Trade Partners

Iowa
$10.2B
Kansas
$7.65B
Texas
$6.86B

In 2020, the top outbound Nebraska domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Iowa with $10.2B, followed by Kansas with $7.65B and Texas and $6.86B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Nebraska shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Lancaster County, NE went to Joseph R Biden Jr. with 52.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (44.9%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (2.37%).

Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing the state of Nebraska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Nebraska is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Joseph R Biden Jr. (52.7%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (44.9%)
Republican Party
Jo Jorgensen (2.37%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Lancaster County, NE for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Nebraska

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

Senator from Nebraska

Deb Fischer
Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Pete Ricketts
Assumed office on January 23, 2023
Appointed to the seat on January 12, 2023 following the resignation of Ben Sasse.

Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing Nebraska.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Nebraska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Nebraska

Nebraska is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Nebraska have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Lancaster County, NE awarded 8,591 degrees. The student population of Lancaster County, NE in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 17,927 male students and 19,599 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Lancaster County, NE are White (6,388 and 82.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (598 and 7.7%), Two or More Races (265 and 3.41%), and Asian (222 and 2.86%).

The largest universities in Lancaster County, NE by number of degrees awarded are University of Nebraska-Lincoln (6,179 and 71.9%), Southeast Community College Area (1,330 and 15.5%), and Nebraska Wesleyan University (496 and 5.77%).

The most popular majors in Lancaster County, NE are General Business Administration & Management (647 and 7.53%), General Psychology (312 and 3.63%), and General Finance (247 and 2.88%).

The median tuition costs in Lancaster County, NE are $24,960 for private four year colleges, and $7,770 and $24,900 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Lancaster County, NE, the percentage of applicants admitted was 81.8%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 30.8%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 37,526 (47.8% men and 52.2% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 37,526 students enrolled in Lancaster County, NE, 47.8% men and 52.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 27,993 records, of which 52.8% were women and 47.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Business Administration & Management
295 degrees awarded
General Psychology
288 degrees awarded
General Finance
238 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Lancaster County, NE was General Business Administration & Management with 295 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Lancaster County, NE according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Nebraska-Lincoln
6,179 degrees awarded
Southeast Community College Area
1,330 degrees awarded
Nebraska Wesleyan University
496 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Nebraska-Lincoln with 6,179 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 4,148 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Lancaster County, NE, which is 0.934 times less than the 4,443 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,388 degrees mean that there were 10.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 598 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($24,960) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,820) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,734) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

Measure

In 2021, 0.964% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.968% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (380k), Some college (367k), and Bachelors Degree (301k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Lancaster County, NE was $204,400 in 2021, which is 0.835 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $190,000 to $204,400, a 7.58% increase. The homeownership rate in Lancaster County, NE is 59.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Lancaster County, NE have an average commute time of 19.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Lancaster County, NE is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Lancaster County, NE is $65,086. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Lancaster County, NE was Census Tract 37.18 with a value of $131,667, followed by Census Tract 36.09 and Census Tract 37.14, with respective values of $129,250 and $124,615.

In 2022, 13.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lancaster County, NE. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.282%.

Housing

Property

$204,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,284

$76,187

Median Property Taxes

±$1,641

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lancaster County, NE the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Lancaster County, NE compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

59.6%

Homeownership

2021

64.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 59.6% of the housing units in Lancaster County, NE were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 59.2%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Lancaster County, NE compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 37.18
Census Tract 36.09
Census Tract 37.14

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Lancaster County, NE was Census Tract 37.18 with a value of $131,667, followed by Census Tract 36.09 and Census Tract 37.14, with respective values of $129,250 and $124,615.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Lancaster County, NE colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$65,086

Median Household Income

± $1,136

128k

Number of Households

± 2,467

In 2021, the median household income of the 128k households in Lancaster County, NE grew to $65,086 from the previous year's value of $62,464.

The following chart displays the households in Lancaster County, NE distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lancaster County, NE is from Nebraska.

0.444

2021 Wage GINI in Nebraska

0.441

2020 Wage GINI in Nebraska

In 2021, the income inequality in Nebraska was 0.444 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.499% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Nebraska was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Nebraska in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Nebraska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (78.5%)
Carpooled (8.89%)
Worked At Home (7.28%)

In 2021, 78.5% of workers in Lancaster County, NE drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.89%) and those who worked at home (7.28%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

19.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lancaster County, NE have a shorter commute time (19.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.28% of the workforce in Lancaster County, NE have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lancaster County, NE compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lancaster County, NE distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lancaster County, NE have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 13.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Lancaster County, NE. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 0.282%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

12% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lancaster County, NE (36.9k out of 307k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lancaster County, NE is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 9.1% of the children was living in poverty in Lancaster County, NE. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 6.2%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 326 in Lancaster County, NE. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 78.7 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

93% of the population of Lancaster County, NE has health coverage, with 58.3% on employee plans, 10.1% on Medicaid, 10.4% on Medicare, 12.9% on non-group plans, and 1.23% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Lancaster County, NE see 1375 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.9% decrease from the previous year (1416 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 984 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 253 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,375 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Lancaster County, NE

Primary care physicians in Lancaster County, NE see an average of 1,375 patients per year. This represents a 2.9% decrease from the previous year (1,416 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Lancaster County, NE in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 26.7% between 18 and 34 years, 34.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 14% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.6% were men and 50.4% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.96%

Uninsured

58.3%

Employer Coverage

10.1%

Medicaid

10.4%

Medicare

12.9%

Non-Group

1.23%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lancaster County, NE declined by 4.42% from 7.29% to 6.96%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lancaster County, NE changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 42.6 in Lancaster County, NE.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lancaster County, NE.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 34.3% in Lancaster County, NE.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Lancaster County, NE.

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