by Kristen Carney
Updated: June 20, 2024
The richest city in Nebraska is Inavale in Webster County with an average household income of $273,497 as of 2022. While exceptionally affluent, Inavale only has a population of 50 as of 2023. The richest city in Nebraska with at least 5,000 people is Papillion in Sarpy County with an average household income of $127,561 as of 2022 and 23,791 people as of 2023 according to the most current Census data available (citation).
Rank | City | County | Population | Average Income | Median Income |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Inavale | Webster | 50 | $273,497 | $55,250 |
2 | Nora | Nuckolls | 21 | $222,188 | -$1 |
3 | Aten | Cedar | 52 | $198,113 | $250,001 |
4 | Wann | Saunders | 93 | $193,773 | $197,500 |
5 | Melia | Sarpy | 76 | $189,350 | $207,500 |
6 | Boys Town | Douglas | 607 | $182,558 | $69,583 |
7 | Cowles | Webster | 22 | $181,600 | -$1 |
8 | Overland | Hamilton | 194 | $166,784 | $107,411 |
9 | Woodland Hills | Otoe | 300 | $163,741 | $170,139 |
10 | Glenwood | Buffalo | 637 | $147,689 | $83,594 |
11 | Cedar Creek | Cass | 474 | $145,995 | $110,750 |
12 | Walton | Lancaster | 474 | $142,643 | $46,287 |
13 | Raymond | Lancaster | 154 | $140,720 | $107,500 |
14 | Princeton | Lancaster | 127 | $137,022 | $172,875 |
15 | Huntley | Harlan | 33 | $135,857 | -$1 |
16 | Filley | Gage | 121 | $132,373 | $82,500 |
17 | Lakeview | Platte | 264 | $130,240 | $126,250 |
18 | Ponca | Dixon | 895 | $127,843 | $58,542 |
19 | Papillion | Sarpy | 23,791 | $127,561 | $104,608 |
20 | Gretna | Sarpy | 9,054 | $126,762 | $117,553 |
We usually suggest using median income data – either instead of or in addition to – average income data as a true indicator of wealth. If you haven’t thought about median versus average since your last standardized test, you aren’t alone. Here’s what they are:
Now let’s say you had the following simplified set of income data.
Household 1: $30,000
Household 2: $50,000
Household 3: $1,000,000
The average income for this set is $360,000. The outlier data point ($1,000,000) skews the average WAY up. Conversely, the average income would be skewed WAY down if someone had an income of $500. The median income for the same data set is $50,000. Outlier data doesn’t skew the median.
So most business owners should use the median income as a true indicator of wealth, because it provides a more accurate representation of a typical income, especially in areas with significant income disparity.
If your target market is high-income households, the average income may be more relevant. This is because the average income can highlight the presence of a higher concentration of wealthy individuals, which is beneficial for luxury goods and services marketing. We’re using average income on this page because using the Census’s highest reported median value of $250,001 could result in multiple ties for the richest geography.
The Census' American Community Survey uses $250,000+ as a jam value for median income estimates to protect privacy, ensure data consistency, and simplify reporting. A "jam value" in survey data refers to a placeholder or default value used when actual data points are unavailable, incomplete, or exceed certain thresholds. We represent this jam value as $250,001 to make it easy for you to sort.
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United States Census Bureau. Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023. U.S. Census Bureau, Population Division. Web. May 2024. http://www.census.gov/.
United States Census Bureau. B01001 SEX BY AGE, 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office. Web. 7 December 2023. http://www.census.gov/.
United States Census Bureau. B19013 Median Household Income, 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office. Web. 7 December 2023. http://www.census.gov/.
United States Census Bureau. “DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS.” 2022 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey Office. Web. 07 December 2023. http://www.census.gov/.
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