A majority of Nebraskans say they are not lonely, but about a third report feeling lonely at least some of the time — and reported loneliness is higher among younger, unemployed, single and lower-income residents.
That is according to the latest Nebraska Snapshot, a bi-monthly report using data from the most recent Nebraska Annual Social Indicators Survey, which gathered opinions from 2,232 Nebraskans during summer and fall 2024.
Overall, 65% of Nebraskans surveyed said they had not felt lonely in the last four weeks when answering the survey, while 19% said they felt lonely a little bit of the time and 17% said they felt lonely some to all of the time. The results from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Bureau of Sociological Research, which produces the snapshot, align closely with national surveys on loneliness. Gallup’s most recent well-being report showed that about 20% of American adults said they were very lonely, and the American Psychiatric Association’s poll showed that 30% of U.S. adults reported feelings of loneliness at least once a week over the past year.
Nebraskans who are unemployed had the highest rate of loneliness, with 40% of those surveyed reporting feeling lonely some or all of the time, compared to just 14% of employed residents. Similarly, 8% of those who are married said they felt lonely some to all of the time, compared with 30% of their unmarried counterparts.
“It is likely that those who are unemployed and unmarried have fewer chances to interact with others since they don’t see coworkers at work or a partner at home, leading to feeling lonely more often,” said Amanda Ganshert, co-author of the Nebraska Snapshot and assistant director for research and methods with the research bureau.
Lower-income residents are also more lonely. More than half — 52% — of respondents with less than $50,000 annual household income reported feeling lonely a little, some or all of the time. About a third of those making $50,000 to 100,000 per year reported feelings of loneliness a little, some or all of the time, while 27% of those making more than $100,000 reported the same.
The age group that feels the most lonely is Nebraskans aged 19-44, with 24% of respondents reporting loneliness a little of the time and 21% reporting loneliness some to all of the time. Seniors aged 65 and up are the least lonely age group, with only 16% of respondents saying they feel lonely a little and 13% reporting feeling lonely some to all of the time.
Rural residency did not seem to increase feelings of loneliness. Those living on a farm or in open country are less lonely than their town or city peers, the survey found. Less than a quarter of rural respondents, or 22%, reported feeling lonely a little, some or all of the time, compared to 38% of residents who live in a town or city.
“It is surprising that those in living on a farm or open country feel lonely less often than those who live in a town or city,” Ganshert said. “The physical distance between homes in these rural areas does not lead to increased loneliness, and people living in towns or cities with less physical distance between homes still feel lonely.”
(Newswise/MFA)