Growth milestone marks a turning point for housing, infrastructure, and regional planning
By Grace Huffstetler, OMAHA, Neb.- The Omaha metro area has officially joined the ranks of mid-sized U.S. metro regions with more than one million residents—a milestone experts say comes with big implications for the city’s future.
While the news broke in March, the U.S. Census Bureau’s official count reflects data from July 1, 2024; placing Omaha’s metro population at 1,001,010. The count includes eight counties across Nebraska and Iowa: Dodge, Sarpy, Cass, Washington, and Saunders in Nebraska; and Mills, Harrison, and Pottawattamie in Iowa.
What’s Driving the Growth?
Josie Schafer, Director of the Center for Public Affairs Research at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, says one of the biggest contributors to the milestone was international migration. But that doesn’t necessarily mean there was a surge in newcomers.
“They were likely already here. Between 2020 and 2024, we’ve just been undercounting and underestimating that,” Schafer said.
A recent change in how the U.S. Census Bureau tracks international migration revealed population gains that had previously gone unaccounted for.
In addition to migration, Schafer pointed to “natural change”—the number of births exceeding deaths—as a continued source of growth. Omaha also continues to attract new residents thanks to its job market and overall quality of life.
A Turning Point for Development
While reaching one million residents is a major milestone, it also marks a critical turning point. With growth comes pressure—particularly in housing and transportation.
Michael Helgerson, Executive Director of the Metropolitan Area Planning Agency (MAPA), described the moment as a “gut check” for the region.
“We’ve seen how other metros succeed is their ability to cooperate with jurisdictional boundaries,” Helgerson said, emphasizing the importance of cross-county and cross-state collaboration.
Planning for the Next Million
MAPA helps coordinate long-term planning across the Omaha Metro, focusing on compact development, transit opportunities, and smarter use of infrastructure. Helgerson says Omaha is in a strong position to grow sustainably—if communities are intentional in how they develop.
“Looking out ahead,” He says, “it’s really that same kind of conversation about making intentional decisions as policymakers—about how communities grow and how we’re making the most out of opportunities that we have.”
As more people choose to call Omaha home, city leaders and planners will be challenged not only to accommodate growth, but to ensure it leads to a livable, connected future for everyone.
The Census Bureau also says Nebraska as a state has reached 2 million residents in total. And Omaha is now the 55th largest metro city in the United States.
