Bruning is a village in Thayer County, Nebraska, United States.

In October 1960, inventor and aviator Ed Yost used Bruning as the starting point for the first free flight of a modern, propane-fueled hot air balloon.

[7] According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.28 square miles (0.73 km2), all land.

35.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

40.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 26.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

About 5.5% of families and 7.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.7% of those under the age of eighteen and 9.2% of those 65 or over.