Greater Omaha Economic Development Partnership

Greater Omaha Demographics                

Greater Omaha offers a large and diverse workforce for employers of all sizes and industries. The Greater Omaha population not only possesses the education and demographic qualities that employers are looking for, but also the nationally recognized Midwest work ethic that is simply part of the fabric of the region.

Learn more about:  Population DemographicsRace/Ethnicity StatisticsAge Statistics, Income Levels and Educational Attainment.

Population

Characterized by steady growth, the Greater Omaha Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) grew by 14.9 percent between 2000 and 2011 and is projected to grow another 7.3 percent by 2016.

The eight-county Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) consists of Cass, Douglas, Sarpy, Saunders and Washington counties in Nebraska, and Harrison, Mills and Pottawattamie counties in Iowa. The Omaha MSA has a population of 888,959. At the heart of this region is the city of Omaha itself. Located in Douglas County, the city of Omaha has a population of 419,041. Furthermore, nearly 1.3 million people live within a 60-minute drive of Omaha.

2012 Population

 

Population Households Density (pop/sq. mile)

Greater Omaha Total

888,859 342,936 202.0
Cass, NE 25,082 9,823 45.0
Douglas, NE 529,915 207,838 1613.4
Sarpy, NE 166,881 60,228 689.3
Saunders, NE 21,158 8,122 28.2
Washington, NE 20,594 8,086 52.8
Harrison, IA 14,765 5,851 21.2
Mills, IA 15,245 5,640 34.8
Pottawattamie, IA 95,319 37,348 100.3
Source: Applied Geographic Solutions; U.S. Census Bureau


Race/Ethnicity
With a diverse cultural makeup, ethnic minorities comprise 19.9 percent of Greater Omaha’s population including a Hispanic populace of 9.7 percent.

2012 Race/Ethnicity

 

Greater Omaha City of Omaha
Total 888,959 % 419,043 %
White 712,305 80.1% 294459 70.3%
Black 71,447 8.0% 56,899 13.6%
American Indian or Alaska Native 6,331 0.7% 4,003 1.0%
Asian 20,319 2.3% 11,300 2.7%
Some Other Race 6,680 0.8% 5,226 1.2%
Two or More Races 71,877 8.1% 47,156 11.3%
Hispanic Ethnicity 86,520 9.7% 59,350 14.2%
Not Hispanic or Latino 802,439 90.3% 359,692 85.8%
Source: Applied Geographic Solutions; U.S. Census Bureau

Age
Greater Omaha’s reputation as a vibrant, growing community has attracted a considerable population of young adults resulting in more than 35 percent of the population being under 25 years of age. In fact, the median age is 35.0 years compared to the U.S. median of 37.5 years. Among the many advantages Greater Omaha has to offer, this young demographic provides area employers a significant source of active, well-educated workers.

2012 Age
Greater Omaha Total   888,959 %
0 to 4   67,989 7.7%
5 to 14   128,115 14.4%
15 to 19   62,245 7.0%
20 to 24   59,468 6.7%
25 to 34   126,242 14.2%
35 to 44   115,137 12.9%
45 to 54   121,862 13.7%
55 to 64   102,405 11.5%
65 to 74   58,045 6.5%
75 to 84   32,358 3.6%
85+   15,133 1.7%
Median Age:              35.0  
Source: Applied Geographic Solutions; U.S. Census Bureau

Income
When it comes to the median household income (HHI), Greater Omaha, once again, surpasses the national average. In 2012, the area’s median HHI was $57,181, which compares favorably to the U.S. median HHI of $53,133.  The most recent U.S. Census revealed a median HHI increase for Greater Omaha from just under $30,000 in 1990 to approximately $44,671 in 2000. This represents a dramatic increase of 49.1 percent. Additionally, the median HHI is expected to increase by another 12.9 percent by 2017 reaching nearly $64,000. These exceptional median HHI numbers are another way Greater Omaha is able to retain the caliber of workforce that companies find essential to their success.

2012 Household Income
Total Households 342,939 %
$0 - $15,000 33,248 9.7%
$15,000 - $24,999 34,021 9.9%
$25,000 - $34,999 35,601 10.4%
$35,000 - $49,999 48,247 14.1%
$50,000 - $74,999 67,101 19.6%
$75,000 - $99,999 49,012 14.3%
$100,000 - $149,999 48,114 14.3%
$150,000 + 26,592 7.8%
Average Hhld Income $71,380  
Median Hhld Income $57,181  
Per Capita Income $27,536  
Source: Applied Geographic Solutions; U.S. Census Bureau


Educational Attainment
Greater Omaha is a well-educated community. More than 90 percent of adults 25 years of age and older are high school graduates. The national average is 85 percent. In addition, Greater Omaha outperforms the national average for college graduates with 32.0 percent of adults achieving a bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 27.9 percent nationally. From business and education, to science, medicine, technology and the liberal arts, Greater Omaha is home to some of the nation’s leading colleges, universities and trade schools. 

2012 Educational Attainment
  Greater Omaha United States
Age 25+ Population    
High School or Above 90.8% 85.0%
Bachelor's or Above 32.0% 27.9%
High School Graduate 26.8% 28.9%
Some College, No Degree 24.2% 20.6%
Associates Degree   7.9% 7.5%
Bachelor's Degree 21.6% 17.6%
Graduate Degree 10.4% 10.3%
Source: Applied Geographic Solutions; U.S. Census Bureau