Wildlife enthusiasts visit Bruning in hopes of spotting a Whooping Crane, the rare and endangered tallest bird in America, where infamously 6 were spotted at Father Hupp Wildlife Preserve and Management Area just 2 ½ miles west of Bruning. Bruning has worked diligently on restoring the wetlands and marshes in the area. Although the economy in Bruning is tied to farming and agriculture, residents in the community understand that by preserving the native wildlife habitat and natural resources they are building a better foundation for farming the region in the future. Architecturally, in 1900 through 1910, Herman Bruning built three large cement block and brick buildings; a hotel, a saloon, and an opera house; all three are still standing as historic landmarks today. Bruning remains a quaint agricultural town with Nebraska dryland and irrigated crop land used for producing corn, soybeans, milo, and alfalfa.
Address: 141 E. Main Street (inside the Opera House)
Village Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday 8:00 AM-4:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Village Clerk/Treasurer: Sarah Krehnke
For utilities: They would need to fill out an application for service. They can pick it up in my office. I give them a small packet of all information. Including, but not limited to Dog tag form- Dogs are required to be licensed ($5 annually with a copy of rabies info), Golf Cart/ATV tag form-Utility vehicles are required to be licensed if driven on a public street ($10 annually with a copy of liability ins. Must be 18 yrs old), ACH form (we offer automatic withdrawal for water/sewer invoices. There is a $100 deposit for water. It is returned after a year, if in good standing.
As of 2025 the population of Bruning, NE is 287. The population is expected to grow to 292 by 2030 - a growth rate of 0.35%.
The median age of Bruning, NE residents is 52.
The diversity index of Bruning, NE is 7.4, meaning that there is a 7% chance that any two people selected out of 100 residents will be of different race or ethnicity from one another.
The average household income in Bruning, NE is $89,410 and projected to be $98,426 in 2030. Per capita income is $43,926, projected to be $47,865 in 2030. 4.18% of households – 12 – have an income of $200,000 or higher. Average net worth is $1,385,261 and the average disposable income is $67,925.
There are 156 housing units in Bruning, NE; 115 are owner-occupied, 26 are rented, and 15 are vacant. The average home value is $240,913, with 5 homes built in 2010 or later, and 72 built in 1939 or earlier.
There are 28 businesses in Bruning, NE, employing 331 workers and pulling from a labor force of 142 age 16 and above. 40 workers commute into Bruning, NE from outside the county or state. Key industries for the area include:
101 residents both live and work in/around Bruning, NE. The average travel time is 18.0 minutes. 18.81% people have a commute of less than 5 minutes while 0.99% commute 90 minutes or more each way. Of commuters, 107 drive alone, 13 carpool, and 0 take public transportation. 15 use other modes of transport such as motorcycle, bicycle, walking, etc. 8 residents work from home.
85 members of the workforce hold a high school diploma or GED. 29 have associates degrees, 45 have bachelor’s degrees, and 16 hold a graduate or professional degree.