Lancaster County, Nebraska: commercial real estate data.
Lancaster County, Nebraska had an estimated 332,857 residents on July 1, 2024, up 3.2 percent since the 2020 census base of 322,608, across 838 square miles. County output reached $28.82 bn in 2024, 8,999 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 468 7(a) approvals worth $172.7 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Lancaster County
How many people live in Lancaster County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024326,696
- Households134,126
- Average household size2.44
- Median household income$74,793
- Median age34.3
- Median gross rent$1,085 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$275,200
- Home value to household income3.7 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income17.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher41.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree15.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over205,622
- Population under 1873,279
- Share under 1822.4 percent
- Population 65 and over49,919
- Share 65 and over15.3 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64203,498
- Civilian labor force181,988
- Unemployment rate3.2 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over71.8 percent
- Rank by population among Nebraska counties2nd of 93
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included225th of 3,222
Lancaster County is the 2nd largest of 93 Nebraska counties by population. A median home costs 3.7 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.4 percent against 15.3 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Lancaster County
Is Lancaster County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024332,857
- Census 2020 base population322,608
- Population change since the 2020 census base3.18 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20244,063
- Births, 20243,661
- Deaths, 20242,610
- Natural change, 20241,051
- Net domestic migration, 2024-81
- Net international migration, 20243,080
- Total net migration, 20242,999
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-2,008
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents830th of 3,144
The county has grown 3.18 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Lancaster County
Where are people moving to Lancaster County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving6,545
- People arriving, from those returns10,712
- Tax returns filed by households leaving7,066
- Net household movement-521
- Adjusted gross income arriving$411.7 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-30.6 m
- Average income of an arriving household$62,906
- Average income of a leaving household$62,591
- Largest single originDouglas County (690 households)
- Largest single destinationDouglas County (1,053 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Douglas County | 690 | 1,002 | $41.1 m |
| Sarpy County | 222 | 335 | $12.4 m |
| Seward County | 180 | 296 | $9.6 m |
| Hall County | 174 | 255 | $9.6 m |
| Saline County | 158 | 285 | $7.9 m |
| Buffalo County | 153 | 223 | $9.9 m |
| Gage County | 144 | 224 | $9.0 m |
| Saunders County | 140 | 220 | $8.1 m |
Households arriving report $315 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Douglas County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Lancaster County
What is the Lancaster County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$28.82 bn
- County GDP, 2023$27.13 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20246.2 percent
- GDP change over five years37.9 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Nebraska areas BEA publishes2nd of 93
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes203rd of 3,127
- GDP per resident$88,202
Output grew 6.2 percent in the latest year and 37.9 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Lancaster County
Employment by industry in Lancaster County
- Covered employment, annual average175,346
- Establishments reporting9,853
- Average annual pay$59,332
- Average weekly wage$1,141
- Health care and social assistance, employment26,116
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$61,143
- Retail trade, employment17,451
- Retail trade, average annual pay$37,345
- Accommodation and food services, employment15,108
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,096
- Manufacturing, employment13,995
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$68,664
- Construction, employment10,229
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment10,152
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 26,116 | 1,642 | $61,143 |
| Retail trade | 17,451 | 954 | $37,345 |
| Accommodation and food services | 15,108 | 774 | $22,096 |
| Manufacturing | 13,995 | 271 | $68,664 |
| Construction | 10,229 | 1,139 | $67,855 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 10,152 | 1,084 | $81,514 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 8,874 | 249 | $65,260 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 7,594 | 559 | $47,210 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 26,116 jobs, 14.9 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Lancaster County
How many businesses are in Lancaster County?
- Establishments, all industries8,999
- Employment at those establishments157,274
- Annual payroll$8.68 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents27.5
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Lancaster County
Building permits in Lancaster County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20241,935
- Declared construction value permitted$442.8 m
- Single family units authorized1,024
- Multifamily units authorized911
- Multifamily share of units47.1 percent
- Average declared value per unit$228,814
- Units authorized per 1,000 households14.4
Multifamily is 47.1 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Lancaster County
SBA loans in Lancaster County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded468
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$172.7 m
- Average 7(a) approval$368,973
- Median 7(a) approval$154,200
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$789,150
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)4,659
- Jobs per approval10.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active50
- Distinct industries receiving approvals176
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer7.3 percent
- Loans on real estate terms34
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter408
- Franchise loans48
- Franchise share of approvals10.3 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (18)
- Most active lenderUnion Bank and Trust Company (153)
- 504 approvals recorded200
- 504 gross approval dollars$141.5 m
- Average 504 approval$707,670
- Median 504 approval$499,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval18.8
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved26.6
- Most active CDCNebraska Economic Development Corporation (186)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$314.2 m
The average approval of $368,973 sits well above the median of $154,200, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 7.3 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Lancaster County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Lancaster County
Do SBA loans in Lancaster County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded93
- Paid in full90
- Charged off3
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans3.2 percent
- Status: Cancelled65
- Status: Paid in full90
- Status: Exempt from disclosure291
- Status: Charged off3
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed19
Of the 93 loans that have reached a final outcome, 3.2 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Lancaster County
SBA lending by place in Lancaster County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending14
- Lincoln, approvals415
- Firth, approvals16
- Hickman, approvals9
- Roca, approvals7
- Bennet, approvals3
- Crete, approvals3
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 415 | $152,140,900 |
| Firth | 16 | $7,176,200 |
| Hickman | 9 | $1,587,400 |
| Roca | 7 | $2,078,300 |
| Bennet | 3 | $937,300 |
| Crete | 3 | $589,600 |
| Raymond | 3 | $339,500 |
| Waverly | 2 | $5,020,000 |
| 6 other borrower cities | 10 | $2,810,000 |
Lincoln accounts for 415 approvals against 16 in Firth. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Lancaster County
How large is Lancaster County?
- Land area838 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Nebraska counties26th of 93
- Width, east to west23.5 mi
- Height, north to south36.1 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land390
- Establishments per square mile10.74
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Lancaster County
Flood risk in Lancaster County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Lancaster County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 310134
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book15
- Of those, participating in the NFIP12
- NFIP participation rate80.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 5
- Communities carrying a CRS class2
- Radon levels in Lancaster County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/LZone 1
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Lancaster County (community 310134), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Lancaster County in radon zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 5, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 80.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Lancaster County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Lancaster County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024326,696
- Households134,126
- Average household size2.44
- Median household income$74,793
- Median age34.3
Common questions
Lancaster County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Lancaster County, Nebraska?
The Census Bureau estimates 332,857 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 326,696, in 134,126 households, ranking 2nd of 93 Nebraska counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Lancaster County's population growing?
The population has grown 3.18 percent since the 2020 census base of 322,608, to 332,857 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 3,661 births against 2,610 deaths, with net migration of 2,999. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Lancaster County?
$74,793. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $275,200, which is 3.7 times income, and median gross rent is $1,085 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Lancaster County?
8,999 establishments, employing 157,274 people with an annual payroll of $8.68 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Lancaster County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 26,116 jobs, 14.9 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 175,346 jobs at an average annual pay of $59,332, or $1,141 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Lancaster County?
468 7(a) approvals totaling $172.7 m since FY2020, across 50 lenders, with a median approval of $154,200, plus 200 504 approvals worth $141.5 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Lancaster County get paid back?
Of the 93 loans that have reached a final outcome, 90 were paid in full and 3 charged off, a charge-off rate of 3.2 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Lancaster County?
1,935 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $442.8 m. Multifamily was 47.1 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Lancaster County?
Zone 1, a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Lancaster County come from?
The largest single origin is Douglas County, with 690 households. Arriving households report an average income of $62,906 against $62,591 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Lancaster County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Lancaster County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Lancaster County
Cities and places in Lancaster.
22 Census places lie wholly or partly in Lancaster County. 20 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked. The rest are named here and not linked, because the American Community Survey and the SBA record between them do not carry enough about them to write an honest page. A place existing is itself worth knowing, so nothing in the county is left out.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | city | 294,856 | 415 | Wholly in this county |
| Waverly | city | 4,440 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Hickman | city | 3,004 | 9 | Wholly in this county |
| Bennet | village | 1,218 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Firth | village | 604 | 16 | Wholly in this county |
| Walton | CDP | 579 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Malcolm | village | 480 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Hallam | village | 346 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Yankee Hill | CDP | 250 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Roca | village | 242 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Panama | village | 232 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Raymond | village | 187 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Sprague | village | 176 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Denton | village | 145 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Cheney | CDP | 144 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Martell | CDP | 133 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Davey | village | 117 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Princeton | CDP | 99 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Kramer | CDP | 7 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Emerald | CDP | 6 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Agnew | CDP | 0 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Prairie Home | CDP | 0 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 4 of the county's 468 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Lancaster County, the largest being Crete (3), Omaha (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby