Nebraska: elevation, cities and highest point
Nebraska has 2,018,006 people (2025) and 93 counties. Its highest point is Panorama Point, at 5,424 ft, and its lowest, the Missouri River, at 840 ft. Here you’ll find the elevation of its capital, its cities over 250,000 people and its summit, with a map of its counties.
By the Mapsfera Team
- Population (2025)
- 2,018,006
- The 38th most populous of the 50 states
- Land area
- 76,815 sq mi
- The 15th largest state
- Counties
- 93
- According to the Census (2025)
- Lowest point
- 840 ft
- Missouri River
Map of Nebraska’s counties
- Capital’s county
- County with a city page
- City, by elevation
- Highest point
Elevation
The capital, Lincoln, sits at 1,202 ft (366 m): the 10th highest of the 50 state capitals. Nebraska’s highest point, Panorama Point, is 385 mi away in a straight line and 4,222 ft higher.
Between its highest point (5,424 ft) and its lowest (840 ft) there’s 4,584 ft of relief, according to the USGS table. Of the 50 state high points, Nebraska’s is the 20th highest.
Nebraska has 2 cities with a page. The highest is Lincoln, at 1,202 ft, and the lowest is Omaha, at 1,056 ft: 146 ft apart.
Nebraska borders 6 states. Their highest points are Gannett Peak, in Wyoming (13,804 ft), Black Elk Peak, in South Dakota (7,242 ft), Mount Sunflower, in Kansas (4,039 ft), Taum Sauk Mountain, in Missouri (1,772 ft), Hawkeye Point, in Iowa (1,670 ft), and Mount Elbert, in Colorado (14,433 ft): Nebraska’s is the 4th highest of the 7. Their capitals: Cheyenne (6,091 ft), Pierre (1,479 ft), Topeka (948 ft), Jefferson City (630 ft), Des Moines (872 ft), and Denver (5,276 ft).
- Panorama Point 5,424 ft
- Lincoln 1,202 ft
- Omaha 1,056 ft
Population
Nebraska had 2,018,006 residents on July 1, 2025, according to Census Bureau estimates, 2.9% more than in April 2020 (1,961,980). Across 76,815 sq mi of land, that’s 26 people/sq mi.
Its most populous place is Omaha, with 488,797 people. The Census counts 593 cities, towns and census-designated places (CDPs) in Nebraska.
| Place | Population | Land area | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | 488,797 | 143 sq mi | 1,056 ft |
| Lincoln | 301,522 | 103 sq mi | 1,202 ft |
| Bellevue | 64,863 | 23.6 sq mi | — |
| Grand Island | 53,943 | 30.2 sq mi | — |
| Kearney | 34,782 | 15.2 sq mi | — |
| Fremont | 28,350 | 11.1 sq mi | — |
| Norfolk | 26,677 | 18.1 sq mi | — |
| Columbus | 25,248 | 10.8 sq mi | — |
| Papillion | 25,127 | 12.5 sq mi | — |
| Hastings | 25,121 | 15.1 sq mi | — |
Neighboring states
Tools
Frequently asked questions
What is the highest point in Nebraska?
Panorama Point, at 5,424 ft, according to the USGS table. It’s the 20th highest of the 50 state high points.
What is the lowest point in Nebraska?
The Missouri River, at 840 ft, according to the same USGS table.
What is the elevation of Lincoln, the capital?
1,202 ft above sea level, at its reference point in the USGS gazetteer. It’s the 10th highest state capital.
What is the highest city in Nebraska?
Of the cities with a page (the capital and those over 250,000 people), Lincoln, at 1,202 ft. Some smaller towns are higher: look them up with the point elevation tool.
How many counties does Nebraska have?
93, according to the Census Bureau in 2025.
Sources
- Population, land area and counties: U.S. Census Bureau (Vintage 2025 estimates and 2025 Gazetteer), public domain.
- Highest and lowest points: USGS, “Elevations and Distances in the United States” (and, for Denali, the 2015 survey), public domain.
- City elevations: USGS 3DEP at each city’s GNIS point, public domain.
- County map: U.S. Census Bureau, 2025 Cartographic Boundary Files (1:500,000).
Methodology and sources · Spotted a mistake? Let us know