Nebraska: government, population and official figures

Nebraska is a state of the United States, number 38 of 51 by population. Nebraska had an estimated 2,018,006 residents on 1 July 2025, 0.6% of the population of the 50 states and DC; 14th smallest of 51. In the year to 1 July 2025 the population grew by 0.62%, 18th fastest-growing of 51.

Who runs Nebraska?

The governor is Jim Pillen. Governor's office. Phone: 1-402-471-2244. Address: P.O. Box 94848 Lincoln , NE 68509.

In depth

• Economy, jobs and prices in Nebraska: The economy of Nebraska (gross domestic product) was worth $206.6 billion in 2025 at current prices, 0.7% of the US total of $30.86 trillion; 18th smallest of 51. In current dollars it was up 4.6% on 2024.
• Health in Nebraska: Life expectancy at birth in Nebraska was 78.3 years in 2022, 14th longest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 77.5 years), according to NCHS state life tables.
• Education in Nebraska: 87.1% of public high school students in Nebraska graduated within four years of starting ninth grade in the 2021-22 school year (the adjusted cohort graduation rate); 21st highest among the 49 states (including DC) with data (U.S.: 86.6%).
• Poverty and living standards in Nebraska: The Census Bureau estimates that 10.6% of people in Nebraska lived below the federal poverty line in 2024, about 207,151 people; joint 20th lowest among the 50 states and DC (U.S.: 12.1%).
• Government budget and revenue in Nebraska: Nebraska's state government took in $17.0 billion in fiscal year 2024, $8,473 per resident, 15th lowest of 50 states per person (all states: $9,318 per person). The total includes taxes, federal funds, charges and pension-fund investment income.

Official bodies in Nebraska

• Nebraska
• Department of Agriculture
• Children and Family Services
• Consumer Protection Division
• Department of Correctional Services
• Local governments
• The United States Attorney's Office - District of Nebraska
• Department of Education
• Elections and Voting
• Emergency Management Agency
• Public Health
• Motor Vehicles
• Office of the Attorney General

Largest cities in Nebraska

1. Omaha 488,797 (2025)
2. Lincoln 301,522 (2025)
3. Bellevue 64,863 (2025)
4. Grand Island 53,943 (2025)

How states are governed in the United States

States (50). Governor and state legislature directly elected. Hold all powers not given to the federal government (10th Amendment); create and control local governments.

Every tier of government in the United States

Other states of the United States

• California 39,355,309
• Texas 31,709,821
• Florida 23,462,518
• New York 20,002,427
• Pennsylvania 13,059,432
• Illinois 12,719,141
• Ohio 11,900,510
• Georgia 11,302,748
• North Carolina 11,197,968
• Michigan 10,127,884
• New Jersey 9,548,215
• Virginia 8,880,107
• Washington 8,001,020
• Arizona 7,623,818
• Tennessee 7,315,076
• Massachusetts 7,154,084
• Indiana 6,973,333
• Missouri 6,270,541
• Maryland 6,265,347
• Colorado 6,012,561
• Wisconsin 5,972,787
• Minnesota 5,830,405
• South Carolina 5,570,274
• Alabama 5,193,088
• Louisiana 4,618,189
• Kentucky 4,606,864
• Oregon 4,273,586
• Oklahoma 4,123,288
• Connecticut 3,688,496
• Utah 3,538,904
• Nevada 3,282,188
• Iowa 3,238,387
• Arkansas 3,114,791
• Kansas 2,977,220
• Mississippi 2,954,160
• New Mexico 2,125,498
• Idaho 2,029,733
• West Virginia 1,766,147
• Hawaii 1,432,820
• New Hampshire 1,415,342
• Maine 1,414,874
• Montana 1,144,694
• Rhode Island 1,114,521
• Delaware 1,059,952
• South Dakota 935,094
• North Dakota 799,358
• Alaska 737,270
• District of Columbia 693,645
• Vermont 644,663
• Wyoming 588,753

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Sources

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