Omaha Metropolitan Area

Omaha NE

16 August, 2021

8:27 AM

Description

Press release from the City of Omaha: August 12, 2021 The Omaha metropolitan area is expected to surpass one million residents in the next three years. The 2020 census data released this week shows the eight-county metro Omaha population grew nearly 12% over the last decade to 967,604. At the current pace of growth, the one-million mark is expected in 2024. The eight county metro area includes Douglas, Sarpy, Washington, Cass, and Saunders counties in Nebraska and Mills, Pottawattamie and Harrison counties in Iowa. The City of Omaha population grew 19% in the last ten years, increasing to 486,051. "Omaha's population increase is a sign of success and growth", said Mayor Jean Stothert. "The 2020 Census data shows the quality of life for families, cost of living and doing business, and safe neighborhoods attract people to Omaha and keeps them here. We are on the right track with a focus on opportunity and equity, affordability, housing, transit and development." "It's a pretty strong number," said David Drozd, Research Coordinator at UNO's Center for Public Affairs Research. Since 1980, the population of Douglas County has steadily increased from 397,038 in 1980 to the current Census estimate of 584,526. Douglas is one of 24 Nebraska counties to record a population increase. Douglas, Sarpy, Lancaster counties all recorded growth over 10%. Statewide, the population grew to 1,961,504. Drozd said the eight-county metro population is especially important for business recruitment. "There are a lot of employers that will only look at metro areas with one million populations when they expand," he said. Census data will also be used to redistrict Nebraska's three congressional districts and the 49 Nebraska Unicameral districts. This press release was produced by the City of Omaha. The views expressed here are the author's own.