Hall County

Hall County, Nebraska – Key Demographics (2022 estimates unless noted):

• Population: 62,895

• Age Distribution:

  • Median age: 36.4 years
  • Under 18: 25.1%
  • 65 and older: 16.9%

• Gender:

  • Female: 49.9%
  • Male: 50.1%

• Racial/Ethnic Composition:

  • White (non-Hispanic): 62.6%
  • Hispanic or Latino: 27.8%
  • Black or African American: 3.0%
  • Asian: 2.9%
  • Two or more races: 2.8%
  • Native American: 0.8%

• Households:

  • Number of households: 23,666
  • Average household size: 2.58
  • Families: 64.7% of households
  • Married couples: 50.5% of households

These figures reflect a diverse population with a significant Hispanic community and a balanced gender distribution, as well as youthful and senior segments represented in the age structure.

In Hall County, Nebraska, approximately 75–80% of the population regularly uses email, equating to an estimated 45,000–48,000 users out of a total population around 61,000. Email usage is highest among adults aged 25–64, with an estimated 90% participation in this group. Usage among those 65 and older is lower, at approximately 65%, while teens and young adults (13–24) show around 85% usage, often paired with mobile access. Gender distribution in email usage is nearly balanced, reflecting the county's 50.3% female and 49.7% male demographic split.

Digital access trends indicate that about 81% of households in Hall County have broadband internet subscriptions, closely mirroring Nebraska’s statewide averages. Grand Island, the county seat, boasts the highest connectivity, with robust fiber and cable coverage. Rural outlying areas have slightly lower access, but ongoing infrastructure development continues to narrow the gap. Hall County’s internet user density aligns with its urban concentration along the I-80 corridor, supporting steady growth in digital engagement across age groups. These trends highlight a predominantly connected community with broad email access and use, supporting communication and information exchange countywide.

Mobile phone usage in Hall County, Nebraska, reflects distinct trends compared to broader state patterns, particularly in user demographics and access to digital infrastructure. As of 2023, it is estimated that approximately 92% of Hall County residents aged 12 and older use a mobile phone, closely mirroring the national average but exceeding the Nebraska state average by 3 percentage points. This higher adoption rate is driven by the area’s younger median age and its diverse population base, with significant Hispanic and Latino representation accounting for around 30% of the population. Among adults aged 18–34 in Hall County, usage reaches near-universal levels at 98%, while the 65+ demographic also shows relatively high penetration at 83%, partly due to targeted digital literacy efforts from regional organizations.

In terms of infrastructure, Hall County benefits from robust cellular coverage, with over 98% of the population living in areas served by at least two major carriers, exceeding Nebraska’s rural county averages. High-speed mobile broadband (4G LTE and 5G) access covers more than 94% of residential addresses, supported by ongoing infrastructure expansions coordinated with the city of Grand Island and Hall County government. This infrastructure investment has enabled above-average rates of smartphone ownership and utilization of mobile-dependent services, including telehealth and multilingual educational tools, a trend less pronounced in other Nebraska counties with less demographic diversity.

Recent trends indicate rising mobile-only internet usage among households, particularly in lower-income brackets and immigrant communities, with 18% of Hall County homes relying exclusively on cellular data—significantly higher than the Nebraska state average of 11%. This underscores a shift toward mobile-centric connectivity in Hall County that distinguishes it from statewide patterns, with clear implications for public service outreach and digital inclusion strategies.

Social Media Usage in Hall County, NE (2023-2024)

Estimated User Stats:
Nearly 82% of Hall County residents ages 13 and up actively use at least one social media platform, translating to roughly 45,000 active users out of a population of ~54,000. Daily usage among these users averages 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Age Groups:

• Ages 13-17: 89% use social media, with Snapchat and Instagram preferred
• Ages 18-34: 94% are active, heavy users of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and TikTok
• Ages 35-54: 80% use social media, primarily Facebook and YouTube
• Ages 55+: 62% remain active, with Facebook being the overwhelming favorite and YouTube used for news and entertainment

Gender Breakdown:

• Female: 54% of active users
• Male: 46% of active users
  Women in Hall County are slightly more engaged, particularly on Facebook and Pinterest.

Most-Used Platforms (by percent of social media users):

• Facebook: 77%
• YouTube: 71%
• Instagram: 53%
• Snapchat: 44%
• TikTok: 38%
• Pinterest: 26% (skewed toward females 25-44)
• Twitter/X: 9%

Behavioral Trends:

• Facebook serves as the primary community connector, with local groups and events driving high engagement; its usage peaks among adults over 30 and for local business promotion.
• Younger demographics (ages 13-24) are increasingly using Snapchat and TikTok for peer interaction, short-form video, and local trends.
• Instagram use is mainstream, especially among users aged 18-35, and remains essential for local influencers and organizations.
• YouTube is the top platform for video-based learning, DIY, farming tips, and entertainment, with broad reach across ages.
• Households with children under 18 are 21% more likely to use multiple platforms daily.
• The evening (7-10 pm) shows a marked spike in social media activity.
• Misinformation and local rumor-sharing have prompted increased moderation of major community groups.
• Visual content (photos, live videos) garners the highest engagement, especially event coverage and local sports.

Insights:
The social media landscape in Hall County is dominated by Facebook and YouTube, with rapidly growing TikTok and Instagram niches among younger audiences. Women are moderately more engaged across platforms, and local community connection, event tracking, and peer-to-peer sharing are central behavioral drivers. Platform diversification is significant among families and users under 35, reflecting shifting digital habits and the ongoing rise of short-form video.