The Lincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, is a metropolitan area consisting of two counties in Nebraska, anchored by the city of Lincoln. As of the 2020 census, the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) had a population of 340,217. The MSA is a component of the Lincoln–Beatrice, NE Combined Statistical Area, which adds the Beatrice, NE micropolitan area (Gage County). The combined statistical area has an estimated population of 373,792 as of 2025.

Counties Lancaster Seward

Communities The following is a list of the communities within the Lincoln metropolitan area and their respective populations in the 2020 United States census in descending order.

More than 250,000 Lincoln – 291,082 (Principal City)

1,000–10,000 Seward – 7,643 Waverly – 4,279 Hickman – 2,607 Milford – 2,155 Bennet – 1,082

200–1,000 Utica – 840 Firth – 649 Malcolm – 457 Beaver Crossing – 375 Walton – 351 Yankee Hill – 286 Hallam – 268 Staplehurst – 236 Panama – 235 Pleasant Dale – 218 Garland – 210 Roca – 201

Fewer than 200 Denton – 189 Goehner – 181 Bee – 171 Cheney – 164 Raymond – 159 Sprague – 136 Davey – 135 Martel – 125 Cordova – 92 Princeton – 51 Emerald – 45 Tamora – 40 Prairie Home – 38 Agnew - 30 Kramer – 26

Additional Communities The following are additional communities in the Lincoln metropolitan area not recognized as populated places by the US Census Bureau, in alphabetical order.

Arbor Berks Grover Holland Rokeby Ruby Saltillo

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 266,787 people, 105,200 households, and 64,917 families residing within the MSA. The racial makeup of the MSA was 90.56% White, 2.66% African American, 0.61% Native American, 2.70% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.61% from other races, and 1.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.23% of the population.

The median income for a household in the MSA was $42,275, and the median income for a family was $52,745. Males had a median income of $33,469 versus $23,972 for females. The per capita income for the MSA was $19,822.

CountySeat2025 estimate2020 censusChangeAreaDensityLancasterLincoln SewardSeward Total

Lincoln–Beatrice, NE Combined Statistical Area Statistical Area2025 estimate2020 CensusChangeAreaDensityLincoln, NE Metropolitan Statistical AreaBeatrice, NE Micropolitan Statistical AreaTotal

See also Nebraska census statistical areas

References