2024 Census Estimates: Nebraska tops 2 million, Omaha MSA likely over 1 million

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:08 pm

Nebraska's population tops 2 million, while Omaha metro likely over 1 million, census says

Nebraska up 17,601 to 2,005,465, the largest raw number increase since 1995. 0.9% increase ranked the 18th highest in the country, higher than every neighboring state except Colorado. The census has also revised earlier estimates, including another 5,000 people in the 2023 estimates. Most of the growth is from international migration.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:51 pm

Nice to see the growth relative to the Midwest. Higher than any surrounding state besides Colorado. Obviously the Omaha and Lincoln metros lead that growth.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 4:05 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:51 pm Nice to see the growth relative to the Midwest. Higher than any surrounding state besides Colorado. Obviously the Omaha and Lincoln metros lead that growth.

2nd highest in the Midwest behind only North Dakota as well, though the census write up has an error calling Iowa 2nd highest even though they grew at 0.7%

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-r ... ation.html

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 5:00 pm

And we kept Idaho from taking our spot as 38th most populated state.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 5:20 pm

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 5:00 pm And we kept Idaho from taking our spot as 38th most populated state.

Epic, LOL…

Ciao.. LiO…Peace

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 5:36 pm

TitosBuritoBarn wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 5:00 pm And we kept Idaho from taking our spot as 38th most populated state.

A narrow miss! They’ll probably surpass us in by the next estimates but it looks like we’ll eventually pass New Mexico to take 38 back.

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 10:09 pm

Garrett wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 4:05 pm
skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:51 pm Nice to see the growth relative to the Midwest. Higher than any surrounding state besides Colorado. Obviously the Omaha and Lincoln metros lead that growth.
2nd highest in the Midwest behind only North Dakota as well, though the census write up has an error calling Iowa 2nd highest even though they grew at 0.7%

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-r ... ation.html

Who writes these things, don’t know how they could miss that unless they aren’t thinking Nebraska is in the Midwest.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Thu Dec 19, 2024 10:13 pm

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 10:09 pm
Garrett wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 4:05 pm
skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Dec 19, 2024 1:51 pm Nice to see the growth relative to the Midwest. Higher than any surrounding state besides Colorado. Obviously the Omaha and Lincoln metros lead that growth.
2nd highest in the Midwest behind only North Dakota as well, though the census write up has an error calling Iowa 2nd highest even though they grew at 0.7%

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-r ... ation.html
Who writes these things, don’t know how they could miss that unless they aren’t thinking Nebraska is in the Midwest.

The US Census must be in Denial.. They’ve been lowballing the state and metro for so long, LOL..

But seriously, it’s a major oversight…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

CBJason · Post by **CBJason** » Fri Dec 20, 2024 9:02 am

Yeah over on the DSM site they were taking delight in being #2, funny how nobody there caught this, at least as of yesterday when i saw it.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Fri Dec 20, 2024 1:08 pm

Good Nebraska Examiner article, with this nice graph from UNO.

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2024/12/19 ... tion-mark/

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Fri Dec 20, 2024 9:31 pm

Looks like previous years where revised upward too. Especially 2023

I remember the same thing happening in the 2000s and 2010s. Im old

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Dec 21, 2024 8:46 pm

Erik wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2024 9:31 pm Looks like previous years where revised upward too. Especially 2023

I remember the same thing happening in the 2000s and 2010s. Im old

Where are you seeing this revision Erik? And is it both metro and state or just state?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Erik · Post by **Erik** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 3:41 am

Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sat Dec 21, 2024 8:46 pm
Erik wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2024 9:31 pm Looks like previous years where revised upward too. Especially 2023

I remember the same thing happening in the 2000s and 2010s. Im old
Where are you seeing this revision Erik? And is it both metro and state or just state?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Right now it is just state, though I am assuming we will see a hefty revision for the metro too.

The 2023 estimate was 1,978,379, its been revised to 1,987,864.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Mon Dec 23, 2024 7:47 pm

Erik wrote: Mon Dec 23, 2024 3:41 am
Omaha Cowboy wrote: Sat Dec 21, 2024 8:46 pm
Erik wrote: Fri Dec 20, 2024 9:31 pm Looks like previous years where revised upward too. Especially 2023

I remember the same thing happening in the 2000s and 2010s. Im old
Where are you seeing this revision Erik? And is it both metro and state or just state?…

Ciao..LiO…Peace
Right now it is just state, though I am assuming we will see a hefty revision for the metro too.

The 2023 estimate was 1,978,379, its been revised to 1,987,864.

Okay, thanks. That’s what I thought..

And I agree…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Sat Dec 28, 2024 1:38 pm

Map I found on Reddit that breaks natural growth, domestic migration, and international migration for each state

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/20877347/

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat Dec 28, 2024 3:21 pm

Garrett wrote: Sat Dec 28, 2024 1:38 pm Map I found on Reddit that breaks natural growth, domestic migration, and international migration for each state

https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/20877347/

Nice find- Thanks for posting

…

Ciao..LiO…Peace

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Fri Jan 03, 2025 10:55 pm

Something I missed in previous releases: St. Tammany Parish was separated from the New Orleans Metropolitan Area last year, which meant that it's population shrank from 1,237,748 to 962,165, which means Omaha is now larger than New Orleans. Their Combined Statistical Area is still around 1.5 million people, but the population shifts are crazy.

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Sat Jan 04, 2025 10:55 am

Garrett wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2025 10:55 pm Something I missed in previous releases: St. Tammany Parish was separated from the New Orleans Metropolitan Area last year, which meant that it's population shrank from 1,237,748 to 962,165, which means Omaha is now larger than New Orleans. Their Combined Statistical Area is still around 1.5 million people, but the population shifts are crazy.

Nice! Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Lincoln was included in the Omaha CSA, it too would be somewhere close to that number (1.5 million - probably a bit less than that but not far from it)? I realize it isn’t and won’t be due to not meeting the criteria, but still.

It’s amazing how many believe Omaha is “too small” to support a professional sports franchise. Not trying to derail things but plenty of other similar sized cities have pro sports.

ita · Post by **ita** » Sat Jan 04, 2025 11:21 am

stormchaser wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2025 10:55 am
Garrett wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2025 10:55 pm Something I missed in previous releases: St. Tammany Parish was separated from the New Orleans Metropolitan Area last year, which meant that it's population shrank from 1,237,748 to 962,165, which means Omaha is now larger than New Orleans. Their Combined Statistical Area is still around 1.5 million people, but the population shifts are crazy.
Nice! Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Lincoln was included in the Omaha CSA, it too would be somewhere close to that number (1.5 million - probably a bit less than that but not far from it)? I realize it isn’t and won’t be due to not meeting the criteria, but still.

It’s amazing how many believe Omaha is “too small” to support a professional sports franchise. Not trying to derail things but plenty of other similar sized cities have pro sports.

I don't think your derailing. 1,000,000 is purportedly a benchmark to get a lot of retail and some employers. Regarding similarly sized cities having pro sports, OKC is our closest comp. When they got their one and only sports team in 2008, they were around 1.2 million for their metro. Same with Memphis in 2001. Pro sports is even bigger and more expensive now, but I am still of the opinion that cities/metros like our could support at one major pro sports team.

stormchaser · Post by **stormchaser** » Sat Jan 04, 2025 11:41 am

ita wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2025 11:21 am
stormchaser wrote: Sat Jan 04, 2025 10:55 am
Garrett wrote: Fri Jan 03, 2025 10:55 pm Something I missed in previous releases: St. Tammany Parish was separated from the New Orleans Metropolitan Area last year, which meant that it's population shrank from 1,237,748 to 962,165, which means Omaha is now larger than New Orleans. Their Combined Statistical Area is still around 1.5 million people, but the population shifts are crazy.
Nice! Correct me if I’m wrong, but if Lincoln was included in the Omaha CSA, it too would be somewhere close to that number (1.5 million - probably a bit less than that but not far from it)? I realize it isn’t and won’t be due to not meeting the criteria, but still.

It’s amazing how many believe Omaha is “too small” to support a professional sports franchise. Not trying to derail things but plenty of other similar sized cities have pro sports.
I don't think your derailing. 1,000,000 is purportedly a benchmark to get a lot of retail and some employers. Regarding similarly sized cities having pro sports, OKC is our closest comp. When they got their one and only sports team in 2008, they were around 1.2 million for their metro. Same with Memphis in 2001. Pro sports is even bigger and more expensive now, but I am still of the opinion that cities/metros like our could support at one major pro sports team.

I agree, especially considering how many Fortune 500 companies are headquartered here compared to other similar markets.

Omaha has 4. Kansas City has 1. Memphis has 3. New Orleans has 2. OKC has 6 (so more but still).

In addition to population, plenty of big businesses and money to help make it work/succeed.

I think the main inhibitor is proximity to KC and the overall population of NE.

Nebraska>Iowa · Post by **Nebraska>Iowa** » Wed Jan 08, 2025 7:43 pm

Nebraska’s cities are engines for its growth.

https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/01/08 ... ts-growth/

Nebraska>Iowa · Post by **Nebraska>Iowa** » Sat Feb 01, 2025 9:08 am

https://www.newsweek.com/map-usa-states ... ng-2022831

Nebraska>Iowa · Post by **Nebraska>Iowa** » Sat Feb 01, 2025 9:39 am

Nebraska one of top states people are moving to.

https://www.newsweek.com/map-usa-states ... ng-2022831

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Sat Feb 01, 2025 11:06 am

Something about that data doesn’t pass the smell test. Their only metric being people that used their services? Utah, Montana and Arizona being among the most losing states when all data shows they’re among the fastest growing? Vermont being number 1 fastest growing by far?

Nebraska>Iowa · Post by **Nebraska>Iowa** » Sat Feb 01, 2025 12:14 pm

Garrett wrote: Sat Feb 01, 2025 11:06 am Something about that data doesn’t pass the smell test. Their only metric being people that used their services? Utah, Montana and Arizona being among the most losing states when all data shows they’re among the fastest growing? Vermont being number 1 fastest growing by far?

It appears they're measuring in-migration vs. population growth.

I realize those two are related, but not necessarily raw or percentage population growth. At least that's how I interpreted the article.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 6:48 am

County level estimates are being released today! Nothing on the website yet, but some news outlets are beginning to report on them. Data should be out in about 2 hours

https://www.census.gov/newsroom/press-r ... micro.html

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 7:36 am

According to the OWH the Omaha metro hit 1,000,000 fit the first time!!!!

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:13 am

1,001,010 to be precise. Metro Omaha now has a population of "J"

Nebraska>Iowa · Post by **Nebraska>Iowa** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:26 am

Garrett wrote: Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:13 am 1,001,010 to be precise. Metro Omaha now has a population of "J"

Thank you. I do not have an Omaha.com subscription.

Post by **BRoss** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 8:55 am

Wow, a 12000 increase last year!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:09 am

From the OWH article:

With the new figures, Omaha is also now the 55th-largest metro area in the country, up two spots. That makes Omaha bigger than New Orleans, which saw its estimated population drop below the 1 million mark this decade.

During this decade, about half of the Omaha metro’s total population gain of 33,000 has come through increased births over deaths, and half has come through international migration, Drozd said.

Overall, Omaha added an estimated 12,000 people during 2024. Drozd said in sheer numbers, that’s the biggest increase since at least 2000. By percentage, the 1.2% growth was the highest for the metro since 2016.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:15 am

Wow! That's awesome! Middle school me is bursting with happiness. Though I've come to find it reflects less on the city than I thought at the time, it's a milestone I've been anxiously waiting since, well, to not date myself too much, we'll say before 9/11..

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:25 am

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:09 am From the OWH article:

With the new figures, Omaha is also now the 55th-largest metro area in the country, up two spots. That makes Omaha bigger than New Orleans, which saw its estimated population drop below the 1 million mark this decade.

During this decade, about half of the Omaha metro’s total population gain of 33,000 has come through increased births over deaths, and half has come through international migration, Drozd said.

Overall, Omaha added an estimated 12,000 people during 2024. Drozd said in sheer numbers, that’s the biggest increase since at least 2000. By percentage, the 1.2% growth was the highest for the metro since 2016.

To be fair to New Orleans, the Census has divided its metro into two separate metros recently with Slidell–Mandeville–Covington being the new metro and Lake Pontchartrain being the divider. Because most of the land around New Orleans is unbuildable swamp land, most of the suburban development has gone north of the lake where land is able to be built upon. Recently that suburbanization has gotten big enough and independent enough to be its own metro. Several years ago New Orleans would have had about 275,000 more people by Census definition. This is in part why they'll continue to have two pro sports teams while Omaha is unlikely to get any for the foreseeable future.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 9:41 am

Looks like the other metro Omaha passed was Urban Honolulu

MadJack · Post by **MadJack** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:24 am

I found the Excel sheets with county populations in each state on the Census Bureau site but I don't see a list of metro area (other than the top 10) with populations. Anyone find that? If so, where? Thanks!

skinzfan23 · Post by **skinzfan23** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:38 am

MadJack wrote: Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:24 am I found the Excel sheets with county populations in each state on the Census Bureau site but I don't see a list of metro area (other than the top 10) with populations. Anyone find that? If so, where? Thanks!

https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time ... areas.html

Hopefully that is what you were looking for....I don't know why they make finding the data so confusing.

ita · Post by **ita** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:44 am

Domestic net migration was +1300. International net migration was over +6000.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:47 am

ita wrote: Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:44 am Domestic net migration was +1300. International net migration was over +6000.

Yeah, I think we’re in for a few years of way slower growth again.

MadJack · Post by **MadJack** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 11:09 am

skinzfan23 wrote: Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:38 am
MadJack wrote: Thu Mar 13, 2025 10:24 am I found the Excel sheets with county populations in each state on the Census Bureau site but I don't see a list of metro area (other than the top 10) with populations. Anyone find that? If so, where? Thanks!
https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time ... areas.html

Hopefully that is what you were looking for....I don't know why they make finding the data so confusing.

Thank you!

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Mar 13, 2025 1:01 pm

Bulk of the growth for the metro continues to be in Douglas and Sarpy counties. Exciting to see them break 600k and 200k respectively though!

County 2023 Pop 2024 Pop Difference

Douglas 593,645 601,158 +7,513
Sarpy 200,477 204,828 +4,351
Pottawattamie 93,353 93,529 +176
Cass 27,458 27,492 +34
Saunders 23,471 23,406 -65
Washington 21,182 21,254 +72
Mills 14,642 14,717 +75
Harrison 14,638 14,626 -12

Total 988,866 1,001,010 +12,144