The town currently named the poorest in Nebraska is Falls City. According to a 2023 analysis using U.S. Census Bureau data, Falls City, with a population of 4,130, has a median household income of $37,712—significantly lower than Nebraska’s state median of $66,644.
Additionally, about 10.3% of Falls City households receive government assistance, highlighting the economic challenges faced by many residents.
It’s important to note that different studies may use varying criteria and population thresholds. For example, another recent analysis focusing on cities with more than 5,000 people ranked Wayne as the poorest city in Nebraska for 2024, based on its high poverty rate (25.8%) and low median income ($51,399).
However, for towns in the 1,000–25,000 population range, Falls City stands out as the poorest by median income.
Summary:
- Falls City is currently recognized as the poorest town in Nebraska by median household income.
- Wayne is identified as the poorest city among larger Nebraska communities (over 5,000 residents), primarily due to its high poverty rate.
Sources:
- https://www.iheart.com/content/2023-11-13-nebraska-town-named-the-poorest-in-the-entire-state/
- https://stacker.com/stories/nebraska/cities-nebraska-most-living-poverty
- https://hdpulse.nimhd.nih.gov/data-portal/_social/poverty/table?demo=00009&statefips=31
- https://www.unitedstateszipcodes.org/rankings/zips-in-ne/poverty_rate/