Scotts Bluff County is on the western border of Nebraska and named after the prominent bluff — Scotts Bluff National Monument — that served as a landmark for 19th-century pioneers traveling along the Oregon Trail. The landscape is simply breathtaking. Its county seat is Gering, and its largest city is Scottsbluff. Separated by only the North Platte River, these are our “twin cities.”
As of 2026 the population of Scotts Bluff County is 35,290. The population is expected to shrink to 34,835 by 2031 - a growth rate of -0.26%.
The median age of Scotts Bluff County residents is 41.
The diversity index of Scotts Bluff County is 61.9, meaning that there is a 62% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.
The average household income in Scotts Bluff County is $87,127 and projected to be $99,895 in 2031. Per capita income is $36,499, projected to be $42,273 in 2031. 2.4% of households – 848 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $825,487 and the average disposable income is $66,180.
There are 16,572 housing units in Scotts Bluff County; 10,070 are owner-occupied, 4,575 are rented, and 1,927 are vacant. The average home value is $224,895, with 818 homes built in 2010 or later, and 3,119 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 1,801 businesses in Scotts Bluff County, employing 20,910 workers and pulling from a labor force of 17,246 age 16 and above. 812 workers commute into Scotts Bluff County from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
15,970 residents both live and work in/around Scotts Bluff County. The average travel time is 15.6 minutes. 9.86% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 2.05% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 14,130 drive alone, 1,489 carpool, and 10 take public transportation. 596 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 1,021 residents work from home.
6,755 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 2,628 have associates degrees, 4,278 have bachelor’s degrees, and 2,417 hold a graduate or professional degree.
Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09
