This is a 1937 pic of the Omaha Hottentots, a paid amateur Black women's softball team sponsored by Carl Rabe, a businessman in North Omaha. The Hottentots toured the Midwest extensively and played 60 games a year for three seasons. (In this pic they are wearing jerseys that originally belonged to the men's Robin Hoods team.)
21st century, Americans, Black History, Black people, General history

2026 Fast Facts about African Americans in Omaha

In 2026, Omaha continues to have staggering poverty, particularly among African Americans, that is disproportionate to its total population. The following statistics— which are the most recent as of 2026— speak for themselves.

History

  • The First Arrival: York, enslaved by William Clark, arrived in the Omaha area in 1804. Learn more.
  • Black Politicians: Since the 1870s, hundreds (rather than dozens) of Black individuals have served in local, state, and federal roles. Learn more.
  • Nebraska Legislature: Since 1892, more than 20 African Americans have been elected to the Unicameral, including history-makers like Ernie Chambers and more recent representatives like Terrell McKinney. Learn more.
  • Civil Rights Origins: The 1872 activism regarding the Omaha School District remains the recognized starting point for organized local civil rights efforts. Learn more.

Population

  • Total Residents: Omaha’s population has grown to approximately 492,000 (up from 390,007 in 2000).
  • National Ranking: Omaha is currently the 39th largest city in the U.S. (up from 42nd).
  • Black Population: There are approximately 57,642 Black residents in Omaha.
  • Percentage of Total: African Americans comprise 11.8% of Omaha’s total population (a slight percentage decrease from 13% in 2000, despite numerical growth).
  • Multiracial Heritage: 53,232 Omahans identify as “Two or More Races,” a demographic that has grown by over 150% since the 2000 Census; a significant portion of this group includes Black/African American heritage.
  • Regional Share: While the city is 11.8% Black, the Omaha-Council Bluffs Metro area as a whole is 8.4% Black, indicating that 1 in 12 metro residents is Black.

Money & Economy

  • Fortune 500: There are currently 4 Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Omaha (Berkshire Hathaway, Union Pacific, Mutual of Omaha, and Kiewit).
  • Minority-Owned Businesses: There are now over 7,500 minority-owned firms in the Omaha metro area.
  • Median Income:
    • City-wide: ~$65,300.
    • Black Households: ~$38,500. (While the dollar amount is higher than 2004, the inflation-adjusted gap remains stark).
  • Unemployment Rates:
    • Overall Omaha: 2.8%.
    • Black Unemployment: Roughly 8.5% and remaining 3x higher than the white unemployment rate (~2.4%).
  • Wealth Disparities: Omaha consistently remains in the top 10 worst cities for economic disparity between Black and white residents.
  • More Hiring: There has been a 95% increase in Black-owned businesses with employees in Omaha over the last two decades.
  • The Wealth Gap Ratio: The median household income for Black families in Omaha is approximately $38,500, which remains roughly 59% of the city-wide median (~$65,300).

Poverty & Education

  • Poverty Line: Approximately 12.8% of all Omaha families live below the poverty line.
  • Black Poverty: Roughly 26% of Black families in Omaha live in poverty (an improvement from 1 out of 3 in 2008).
  • Black Child Poverty: Approximately 38% of Black children in Omaha live in poverty. This is a significant drop from your 60% figure in 2008, though still disproportionately high.
  • Graduation Rates: The graduation rate for Black students in Omaha Public Schools (OPS) has improved to approximately 78%, meaning the “non-graduation” rate has dropped from 35% to about 22%.
  • Educational Attainment: 19.1% of Black adults in North Omaha hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the city-wide average of 40.1%.

Segregation & Justice

  • Residential Segregation: Omaha ranks as the 52nd most segregated city (a slight improvement in “mixing” compared to its 40th rank in 2008).
  • State Population: African Americans now comprise 5.3% of Nebraska’s total population (up from 4%).
  • Incarceration Disparity: Black Nebraskans are incarcerated at a rate of 9.1 times higher than white Nebraskans.
  • Representation in Prison: Despite being only 5.3% of the state’s total population, Black people make up 30% of the male and 15% of the female incarcerated population in Nebraska Department of Correctional Services (NDCS) facilities (2024 Annual Report).

Housing & Health

  • Homeownership: The Black homeownership rate in the Omaha metro has dipped to roughly 43.9% as of late 2025, trailing the white homeownership rate by over 30 percentage points.
  • Infant Mortality Disparity: Black babies in Nebraska are 2.6 times more likely to die in their first year than white babies. As of 2025 data, Nebraska had the 4th highest Black infant mortality rate in the U.S. (12.8 deaths per 1,000 births).
  • Maternal Health: Black women in Nebraska die from pregnancy-related complications at double the rate of white women.

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MY ARTICLES ABOUT BLACK HISTORY IN OMAHA
MAIN TOPICS: Black Heritage Sites | Black Churches | Black Hotels | Segregated Hospitals | Segregated Schools | Black Businesses | Black Politics | Black Newspapers | Black Firefighters | Black Policeman | Black Women | Black Legislators | Black Firsts | Social Clubs | Military Service Members | Sports
PIONEER BLACK OMAHA: Black People in Omaha Before 1850 | The First Black Neighborhood | Black Voting in Omaha Before 1870 | Racist Laws Before 1900 |
EVENTS: Stone Soul Picnic | Native Omahans Day | Congress of Black and White Americans | Harlem Renaissance in North Omaha
RELATED: Race and Racism | Civil Rights Movement | Police Brutality | Redlining
NEBRASKA BLACK HISTORY: Enslavement in Nebraska | Underground Railroad in Nebraska | Grand Island |
TIMELINES: Racism | Black Politics | Civil Rights | The Last 25 Years

RESOURCES: Book: #OmahaBlackHistory: African American People, Places and Events from the History of Omaha, Nebraska | Bibliography: Omaha Black History Bibliography | Video: “OmahaBlackHistory 1804 to 1930” | Podcast: “Celebrating Black History in Omaha”

SOURCES

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