In 2022, 10.5 percent of Nebraska's population lived below the poverty line. This is a slight decrease from the previous year, when 11.2 percent of Nebraskans lived below the poverty line. The poverty rate of the United States can be accessed here.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Douglas County, NE (S1701ACS031055) from 2012 to 2023 about Douglas County, NE; Omaha; NE; percent; poverty; 5-year; population; and USA.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Lancaster County, NE (S1701ACS031109) from 2012 to 2023 about Lancaster County, NE; Lincoln; NE; percent; poverty; 5-year; population; and USA.

This poverty rate data shows what percentage of the measured population* falls below the poverty line. Poverty is closely related to income: different “poverty thresholds” are in place for different sizes and types of household. A family or individual is considered to be below the poverty line if that family or individual’s income falls below their relevant poverty threshold. For more information on how poverty is measured by the U.S. Census Bureau (the source for this indicator’s data), visit the U.S. Census Bureau’s poverty webpage.

The poverty rate is an important piece of information when evaluating an area’s economic health and well-being. The poverty rate can also be illustrative when considered in the contexts of other indicators and categories. As a piece of data, it is too important and too useful to omit from any indicator set.

The poverty rate for all individuals in the measured population in Champaign County has hovered around roughly 20% since 2005. However, it reached its lowest rate in 2021 at 14.9%, and its second lowest rate in 2023 at 16.3%. Although the American Community Survey (ACS) data shows fluctuations between years, given their margins of error, none of the differences between consecutive years’ estimates are statistically significant, making it impossible to identify a trend.

Poverty rate data was sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, which are released annually.

As with any datasets that are estimates rather than exact counts, it is important to take into account the margins of error (listed in the column beside each figure) when drawing conclusions from the data.

Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, instead of providing the standard 1-year data products, the Census Bureau released experimental estimates from the 1-year data in 2020. This includes a limited number of data tables for the nation, states, and the District of Columbia. The Census Bureau states that the 2020 ACS 1-year experimental tables use an experimental estimation methodology and should not be compared with other ACS data. For these reasons, and because data is not available for Champaign County, no data for 2020 is included in this Indicator.

For interested data users, the 2020 ACS 1-Year Experimental data release includes a dataset on Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months by Age.

*According to the U.S. Census Bureau document “How Poverty is Calculated in the ACS," poverty status is calculated for everyone but those in the following groups: “people living in institutional group quarters (such as prisons or nursing homes), people in military barracks, people in college dormitories, living situations without conventional housing, and unrelated individuals under 15 years old."

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2023 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (17 October 2024).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2022 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (25 September 2023).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2021 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (16 September 2022).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2019 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (8 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2018 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using data.census.gov; (8 June 2021).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2017 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (13 September 2018).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2016 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (14 September 2017).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2015 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (19 September 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2014 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2013 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2012 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2011 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2010 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2009 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2008 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2007 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2006 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).; U.S. Census Bureau; American Community Survey, 2005 American Community Survey 1-Year Estimates, Table S1701; generated by CCRPC staff; using American FactFinder; (16 March 2016).

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Wayne County, NE (S1701ACS031179) from 2012 to 2023 about Wayne County, NE; NE; percent; poverty; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Kimball County, NE was 11.10% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Kimball County, NE reached a record high of 13.60 in January of 2015 and a record low of 9.50 in January of 2018. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Kimball County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Douglas County, NE was 11.20% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Douglas County, NE reached a record high of 14.70 in January of 2014 and a record low of 10.70 in January of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Douglas County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Niger NE: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data was reported at 19.600 % in 2011. Niger NE: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data is updated yearly, averaging 19.600 % from Dec 2011 (Median) to 2011, with 1 observations. Niger NE: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Niger – Table NE.World Bank: Poverty. Poverty gap at national poverty lines is the mean shortfall from the poverty lines (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall) as a percentage of the poverty lines. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

60 years and over Poverty Rate Statistics for 2023. This is part of a larger dataset covering poverty in Nebraska by age, education, race, gender, work experience and more.

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Nemaha County, NE (S1701ACS031127) from 2012 to 2023 about Nemaha County, NE; NE; percent; poverty; 5-year; population; and USA.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Sioux County, NE was 11.40% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Sioux County, NE reached a record high of 17.40 in January of 2022 and a record low of 8.10 in January of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Sioux County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Nemaha County, NE was 13.00% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Nemaha County, NE reached a record high of 15.30 in January of 2022 and a record low of 8.60 in January of 2015. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Nemaha County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

35 to 64 years Poverty Rate Statistics for 2023. This is part of a larger dataset covering poverty in Lincoln, Nebraska by age, education, race, gender, work experience and more.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Jefferson County, NE was 9.90% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Jefferson County, NE reached a record high of 14.00 in January of 2014 and a record low of 9.90 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Jefferson County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Knox County, NE was 13.20% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Knox County, NE reached a record high of 14.00 in January of 2013 and a record low of 9.30 in January of 2019. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Knox County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on June of 2025.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Cass County, NE was 4.90% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Cass County, NE reached a record high of 7.00 in January of 2016 and a record low of 4.90 in January of 2023. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Cass County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Wayne County, NE was 13.20% in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Wayne County, NE reached a record high of 16.60 in January of 2022 and a record low of 11.80 in January of 2020. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Wayne County, NE - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on July of 2025.

Niger NE: Increase in Poverty Gap at $3.20: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % of Poverty Line data was reported at 1.490 % in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.977 % for 2007. Niger NE: Increase in Poverty Gap at $3.20: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % of Poverty Line data is updated yearly, averaging 0.977 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.490 % in 2011 and a record low of 0.683 % in 2005. Niger NE: Increase in Poverty Gap at $3.20: Poverty Line Due To Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP: % of Poverty Line data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Niger – Table NE.World Bank.WDI: Poverty. Increase in poverty gap at $3.20 ($ 2011 PPP) poverty line due to out-of-pocket health care expenditure, as a percentage of the $3.20 poverty line. The poverty gap increase due to out-of-pocket health spending is one way to measure how much out-of-pocket health spending pushes people below or further below the poverty line (the difference in the poverty gap due to out-of-pocket health spending being included or excluded from the measure of household welfare). This difference corresponds to the total out-of-pocket health spending for households that are already below the poverty line, to the amount that exceeds the shortfall between the poverty line and total consumption for households that are impoverished by out-of-pocket health spending and to zero for households whose consumption is above the poverty line after accounting for out-of-pocket health spending.; ; World Health Organization and World Bank. 2019. Global Monitoring Report on Financial Protection in Health 2019.; Weighted average;

Graph and download economic data for Percent of Population Below the Poverty Level (5-year estimate) in Saline County, NE (S1701ACS031151) from 2012 to 2023 about Saline County, NE; NE; percent; poverty; 5-year; population; and USA.

Niger NE: Number of People Pushed Below the $1.90: Poverty Line by Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP data was reported at 281,000.000 Person in 2011. This records an increase from the previous number of 181,000.000 Person for 2007. Niger NE: Number of People Pushed Below the $1.90: Poverty Line by Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP data is updated yearly, averaging 181,000.000 Person from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2011, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 281,000.000 Person in 2011 and a record low of 100,000.000 Person in 2005. Niger NE: Number of People Pushed Below the $1.90: Poverty Line by Out-of-Pocket Health Care Expenditure: 2011 PPP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Niger – Table NE.World Bank: Poverty. Number of people pushed below the $1.90 ($ 2011 PPP) poverty line by out-of-pocket health care expenditure; ; Wagstaff et al. Progress on Impoverishing Health Spending: Results for 122 Countries. A Retrospective Observational Study, Lancet Global Health 2017.; Sum;