Southeast Nebraska covers the corner of the state bordering Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas. It includes communities such as Nebraska City, Beatrice, Falls City, and Tecumseh. This region is known for its rolling hills, riverside scenery, and strong agricultural presence, with orchards, farms, historical parks, and cultural landmarks. Tourism revolves around Arbor Day Farm, Homestead National Historical Park, wineries, seasonal events, and scenic byways. The region’s towns offer a relaxed lifestyle with easy access to nature, historic sites, and family-friendly attractions, making it one of the more diverse areas in the state in terms of landscapes and activities.
| City | Population | County | Highlight / Known For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 3,470 (2020) | Nemaha County | County seat in southeast Nebraska, near Missouri River bluffs |
| Beatrice | 12,261 (2020) | Gage County | County seat, near Homestead National Historical Park |
| Bloomfield | 986 (2020) | Knox County | Small northeast Nebraska city serving surrounding farms |
| Blue Springs | 282 (2020) | Gage County | Tiny community on the Big Blue River south of Beatrice |
| Crete | 7,099 (2020) | Saline County | College town, home of Doane University, south of Lincoln |
| Crofton | 756 (2020) | Knox County | Near Lewis and Clark Lake and Missouri River recreation |
| Dakota City | 2,081 (2020) | Dakota County | County seat on the Missouri River, major meat-processing hub |
| Falls City | 4,133 (2020) | Richardson County | County seat in far southeast Nebraska, historic downtown core |
| Fairbury | 3,970 (2020) | Jefferson County | County seat on the Little Blue River, railroad heritage |
| Friend | 954 (2020) | Saline County | Small city along U.S. Highway 6, known for tiny police station |
| Hartington | 1,514 (2020) | Cedar County | County seat with historic courthouse and compact downtown |
| Humboldt | 800 (2020) | Richardson County | Small town in southeast Nebraska with classic town square |
| Laurel | 975 (2020) | Cedar County | Junction of highways 20 and 15 in northeast Nebraska |
| Lyons | 824 (2020) | Burt County | Rural community in Logan Valley with historic mill history |
| Nebraska City | 7,222 (2020) | Otoe County | County seat on the Missouri River, home of Arbor Day heritage |
| Oakland | 1,369 (2020) | Burt County | Swedish-heritage town in western Burt County |
| Osmond | 794 (2020) | Pierce County | Small city in Pierce County, northeast Nebraska |
| Pawnee City | 1,046 (2020) | Pawnee County | County seat of Pawnee County |
| Peru | 653 (2020) estimate | Nemaha County | Village near the Missouri River in southeast Nebraska |
| Pierce | 1,845 (2020) | Pierce County | County seat, auto-auction heritage & small city charm |
| Plainview | 1,282 (2020) | Pierce County | “Klown Kapital” of the world, Klown Doll Museum |
| Ponca | 907 (2020) | Dixon County | County seat near Missouri River, host of “Days of ’56” rodeo |
| Randolph | 1,339 (2020) approximate | Cedar County | Small city in northeastern Nebraska |
| South Sioux City | 14,043 (2020) | Dakota County | Part of Sioux City metro, on Missouri River across from Iowa |
| Syracuse | 1,941 (2020) | Otoe County | City named after Syracuse, NY; small community in southeast Nebraska |
| Tecumseh | 1,694 (2020) | Johnson County | County seat of Johnson County |
| Tekamah | 1,714 (2020) | Burt County | County seat of Burt County, historic town |
| Wakefield | 1,430 (2020) | Knox County | City in northeast Nebraska near Niobrara River region |
| Wayne | 5,851 (2020) | Wayne County | Home of Wayne State College |
| Weeping Water | 1,029 (2020) | Cass County | Historic limestone quarry town, “Weeping Water” name legend |
| West Point | 3,506 (2020) | Cuming County | City in eastern Nebraska, county seat of Cuming County |
| Wilber | 1,964 (2020) | Saline County | State Capital of Czech Heritage Festival |
| Wisner | 1,004 (2020) | Cuming County | Small city in east-central Nebraska |
| Wymore | 1,327 (2020) | Gage County | Historic railroad town in southeast Nebraska |