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Which counties in Nebraska are losing population?

40 of the 81 ranked counties in Nebraska had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020. Boyd County lost the largest share, down 7.5% (−136 people). Lincoln County lost the most residents (−1,231).

Of the 40 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 21 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 19 (Census Bureau components of population change).

Data as of 2025 · updated

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All 40 Nebraska counties that lost residents

Counties losing population in Nebraska
RankCountyChange 2020–25Residents lost 2020–25Residents 2025Largest factor 2020–25
1Boyd County−7.5%−1361,674Natural change (−91)
2Hitchcock County−5.9%−1562,467Domestic migration (−103)
3Sheridan County−5.7%−2934,809Natural change (−162)
4Garfield County−5.4%−971,710Natural change (−98)
5Dundy County−5.2%−861,568Domestic migration (−59)
6Gosper County−4.9%−921,803Domestic migration (−46)
7Garden County−4.5%−851,804Natural change (−66)
8Chase County−4.4%−1733,718Domestic migration (−149)
9Richardson County−4.2%−3327,530Natural change (−329)
10Dawes County−3.7%−2997,858Domestic migration (−189)
11Thayer County−3.6%−1804,842Natural change (−136)
12Lincoln County−3.6%−1,23133,303Domestic migration (−851)
13Red Willow County−3.5%−37510,307Domestic migration (−234)
14Morrill County−3.3%−1504,404Domestic migration (−121)
15Franklin County−3.1%−902,795Natural change (−95)
16Box Butte County−3.0%−32710,494Domestic migration (−382)
17Nance County−3.0%−1023,290Natural change (−101)
18Keith County−2.7%−2238,100Natural change (−156)
19Brown County−2.6%−762,826Natural change (−61)
20Jefferson County−2.6%−1907,070Natural change (−179)
21Furnas County−2.2%−1004,524Domestic migration (−98)
22Cuming County−2.1%−1888,823Domestic migration (−267)
23Fillmore County−2.0%−1095,458Natural change (−163)
24Harlan County−1.9%−583,000Natural change (−93)
25Webster County−1.6%−533,336Natural change (−128)
26Johnson County−1.4%−745,218Natural change (−137)
27Stanton County−1.4%−795,744Domestic migration (−148)
28Greeley County−1.3%−292,154Domestic migration (−16)
29Scotts Bluff County−1.3%−46035,586Domestic migration (−522)
30Sherman County−1.2%−362,924Natural change (−65)
31Pawnee County−1.0%−262,510Natural change (−74)
32Rock County−0.7%−91,259Natural change (−21)
33Burt County−0.6%−436,678Natural change (−153)
34Kimball County−0.5%−183,391Natural change (−51)
35Knox County−0.5%−428,335Natural change (−49)
36Perkins County−0.3%−102,849Domestic migration (−47)
37Adams County−0.3%−10531,071Domestic migration (−426)
38Holt County−0.3%−2810,067Domestic migration (−148)
39Boone County−0.1%−65,355Domestic migration (−38)
40Thurston County−0.1%−76,752Domestic migration (−239)

How this is ranked

Counties whose Census Bureau resident population estimate for July 1, 2025 is lower than for July 1, 2020, steepest percentage decline first. The largest factor is the most negative of natural change (births minus deaths), net domestic migration and net international migration over the same years (Census Bureau components of population change). Counties with fewer than 1,000 residents, or without a figure for the same period as the others, are left out, as on every ranking.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025). Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how ranks and figures are built. More on every layer: data sources and licences.

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Questions

Which county in Nebraska is losing population fastest?

Boyd County: down 7.5% between 2020 and 2025, to 1,674 residents (−136 people; Census Bureau population estimates). Next: Hitchcock County (−5.9%) and Sheridan County (−5.7%).

How many counties in Nebraska are losing population?

40 of the 81 ranked counties in Nebraska had fewer residents in 2025 than in 2020; the other 41 grew or held steady.

Why are counties in Nebraska losing population?

Of the 40 counties that lost residents between 2020 and 2025, the largest factor was natural change (more deaths than births) in 21 and net domestic migration (more residents moving to other U.S. counties than arriving) in 19 (Census Bureau components of population change).

More county rankings for Nebraska

Counties losing population in other states

Across the U.S.