Living in Nelson, Nebraska

Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Nelson · Census data 2020–2024

Nelson has 487 residents with a median age of 62. The median household income is $50,000 (35% lower than the Nebraska median), the median home value is $71,700, the median rent is $666/month.

Nelson is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.

Nelson at a glance

Population
487
Median age
62State: 37.2
Median household income
$50,000State: $76,475
Median home value
$71,700State: $238,600
Median rent
$666/moState: $1,072
Homeowners
85.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher
23.2%
Average commute
21 min

Is Nelson a good place to live?

Pros: Home values 70% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 8.5%.

Cons: Median household income 35% lower than the Nebraska median; an average commute of 21 minutes.

The weather is best in May–June and August–September.

Cost of living in Nelson

Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Nelson the median home value is $71,700, 78% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $666 per month, which is 23.5% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $949 a month in housing costs.

Median home value

Nelson$71,700
Nebraska$238,600
United States$332,700

Median monthly rent

Nelson$666
Nebraska$1,072
United States$1,413

Nelson median household income

The median household income in Nelson is $50,000 and the income per person is $42,193. 8.5% of residents live below the poverty line (Nebraska: 10.6%).

Median household income

Nelson$50,000
Nebraska$76,475
United States$80,734

Housing in Nelson: homes for sale and rent

Housing units
337
Owner-occupied
85.2%
Renter-occupied
14.8%
Vacant
9.8%Includes seasonal homes
Median year built
1940
Average household size
1.60

Nelson demographics

Population
487
Median age
62
Under 18
7.8%
65 and older
34.9%
Households
304
Foreign-born
2.1%
Veterans
11.8%Adults 18+

Race and ethnicity

White89.1%
Hispanic or Latino14.8%
Black0.2%
Asian0%

Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Nelson ›

Education in Nelson

23.2% of adults 25 and older in Nelson have a bachelor's degree or higher (Nebraska: 34.6%), and 5.9% have a graduate or professional degree.

Bachelor's degree or higher

Nelson23.2%
Nebraska34.6%
United States35.7%

Jobs and commute in Nelson

Unemployment rate
0%State: 3%
Average commute
21 minState: 19 min
Work from home
18.5%
Drive alone
74.8%
Public transit
0%
Walk to work
6.7%
Homes with broadband
84.2%

Nelson vs nearby towns

TownPopulationMedian incomeHome valueRent
Nelson487$50,000$71,700$666
Ruskin149$78,607$91,300—
Lawrence223$69,375$89,400—
Superior1,879$63,810$82,400$643
Edgar501$50,625$95,000$391
Hardy113$60,938$14,800—
Davenport257$67,083$87,800$669
Fairfield327$67,188$160,900$700
Guide Rock286$39,444$44,400—

More for people moving to Nelson

Nelson ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›

Living in Nelson: FAQ

What is the median household income in Nelson, NE?

The median household income in Nelson is $50,000, 35% lower than the Nebraska median of $76,475 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

What is the average home price in Nelson?

The median home value in Nelson is $71,700, compared with $238,600 in Nebraska.

How much is rent in Nelson?

The median gross rent in Nelson is $666 per month, about 23.5% of household income.

Is Nelson, NE a good place to live?

Pluses: home values 70% lower than the state median; a poverty rate of 8.5%. Minuses: median household income 35% lower than the Nebraska median; an average commute of 21 minutes.

What is the median age in Nelson?

The median age in Nelson is 62 years (Nebraska: 37.2).

How long is the commute in Nelson?

The average commute to work in Nelson is 21 minutes; 18.5% of workers work from home.

What is the unemployment rate in Nelson?

The unemployment rate in Nelson is 0% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).

How educated is Nelson?

23.2% of adults in Nelson have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.

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