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Walk down Stone Street in Falls City and you can hear how quiet it’s gotten. The grocery store still opens at seven, but the parking lot never fills the way it used to. For a broader view, check out the Top 15 Poorest Cities in Texas and the Top 10 Poorest Cities in the US in 2025 to understand how economic challenges vary across regions.
Nebraska’s economy looks fine on paper, yet smaller cities keep falling behind. In 2025, some households still live one unexpected bill away from trouble.
| Rank | City | Median Household Income (USD) | Poverty Rate (%) | Population Estimate |
| 1 | Falls City | 40,222 | 13.3 | 4,100 |
| 2 | Lexington | 62,364 | 16.5 | 10,100 |
| 3 | Scottsbluff | 44,354 | 18 | 14,900 |
| 4 | Beatrice | 50,420 | 14.2 | 12,300 |
| 5 | Alliance | 48,110 | 13.8 | 8,000 |
| 6 | Sidney | 46,870 | 12.9 | 6,700 |
| 7 | McCook | 49,220 | 13.1 | 7,600 |
| 8 | North Platte | 54,430 | 11.7 | 23,000 |
| 9 | Chadron | 47,920 | 14 | 5,500 |
| 10 | Crete | 56,800 | 12.5 | 7,900 |
Poorest Cities in Nebraska 2025
These towns tell the same story in different words. A few jobs hang on. A few people move away. Most just keep going, hoping next year brings steadier work. Nebraska’s poorest cities carry an honesty that’s hard to find in bigger places — no polish, no pretending things are better than they are.
1. Falls City
Locals talk about the hardware store that closed and never reopened. A median income around $40,000 means tight budgets and long winters. Still, the coffee shop downtown stays busy. People here don’t give up easily.
2. Lexington
Lexington lives on the hum of its meatpacking plant. The work is steady, but paychecks vanish fast with rent and groceries. The town feels tired but proud — the kind that keeps going even when nobody’s looking.
3. Scottsbluff
Eighteen percent of people here live below the poverty line. You can feel it when school fundraisers stretch longer than expected. Still, Friday night football pulls crowds. Hope hasn’t left, it just looks different.
4. Beatrice
Once known for its small factories, Beatrice now leans on service jobs. The average worker earns about $50,000, but most say it feels like less these days. Every pay period feels like a tight squeeze.
5. Alliance
Trains roll past the edge of town day and night. Tourism helps a little, though not enough to balance things out. Locals joke that everyone in Alliance knows who drives the only new truck in town.
6. Sidney
After Cabela’s left, the town’s rhythm changed. Storefronts emptied, homes went for sale. A few new shops opened, but the hole left behind still shows. Folks here talk about rebuilding — not dreaming big, just rebuilding.
7. McCook
When the rain doesn’t come, McCook feels it first. Farming rules everything. Neighbors trade produce, fix each other’s tractors, and share costs when they can. The poverty rate sits around 13 percent, but the community holds tight.
8. North Platte
Rail workers start before sunrise, moving freight that keeps the country running. They earn enough to survive, not quite enough to relax. Housing prices rise faster than wages. Everyone seems to know someone looking for a second job.
9. Chadron
College students bring life to Chadron, but most leave once the diplomas are handed out. The rest stay for family, or because leaving costs more than staying. The charm is still there, even if the pay isn’t.
10. Crete
Crete has a warmth that can’t be faked. Local shops smell like fresh tortillas and coffee. People wave from porches even if they’ve had a rough week. But bills don’t wait, and every dollar gets counted twice.
Conclusion – Poorest Cities in Nebraska 2025
These Nebraska cities prove that poverty doesn’t always look like the movies. Sometimes it’s an empty storefront. Sometimes it’s a parent skipping dinner so the kids can eat. Each town fights in its own quiet way, hoping for new jobs, better schools, and a reason for the next generation to stay.
FAQs
1. How were these Nebraska cities ranked?
They were ranked by median income, poverty rate, and local employment data from state sources.
2. Why does Falls City lead the list?
It has among the lowest median incomes and fewer job options than other towns.
3. Are new businesses opening in these areas?
A few. Small cafés, repair shops, and local farms, but progress is slow.
4. How do residents manage rising costs?
Many share housing, cut travel, or pick up second jobs to make ends meet.
5. What can help these towns recover?
Investments in small industries, trade schools, and infrastructure could steady local economies.
