| City: | Columbus, Nebraska |
| City Alias: | Richland |
| Counties: | Platte County[Primary] Butler County Colfax County Polk County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 8:56:53 AM |
| Population: | 30,189 [See All] |
| Area Codes: | 402 / 531 |
| Classification: | Standard [Normal Street Delivery] |
| Coordinates: | 41.4512, -97.3682 |
| Land Area: | 287.672 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
ZIP Code 68601 has 30,189 residents and 11,797 households (average 2.53 persons per household). The median age is 38.4 years, slightly older than the state (36.9) and about the same as the nation (38.8). The gender split is 50.0% male and 50.0% female, which is about the same as the national male share (49.1%). Largest groups are White (76.1%, much higher than the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (23.9%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 23.9%, which is much higher than the state average (12.0%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 30,189Source: Census DHC |
| 2023 ACS Population Estimate: | 30,619Source: Census ACS |
| 2025 ZC Population Estimate: | 32,745Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 104.9 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $70,697Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 11,797Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $204,700Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.53Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.87Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 27,334 | 27,646 | 27,824 | 28,192 | 28,211 | 28,179 | 28,357 | 28,517 | 28,642 | 28,791 | 29,699 | 30,224 | 30,619 |
| Decennial Census | 28,185 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 30,189 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 38.4
Male Median Age: 37
Female Median Age: 40
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 1,027 | 1,179 | 1,160 | 1,084 | 853 | 879 | 954 | 1,019 | 871 | 879 | 857 | 976 | 1,007 | 807 | 591 | 394 | 294 | 254 |
| Female | 968 | 1,068 | 1,115 | 988 | 743 | 822 | 913 | 933 | 935 | 843 | 851 | 1,004 | 995 | 877 | 697 | 504 | 394 | 454 |
| Total | 1,995 | 2,247 | 2,275 | 2,072 | 1,596 | 1,701 | 1,867 | 1,952 | 1,806 | 1,722 | 1,708 | 1,980 | 2,002 | 1,684 | 1,288 | 898 | 688 | 708 |
| White: | 22,980 | 66.19% |
| Black: | 369 | 1.06% |
| Hispanic:* | 7,201 | 20.74% |
| Asian: | 196 | 0.56% |
| American Indian: | 294 | 0.85% |
| Hawaiian: | 4 | 0.01% |
| Other: | 3,675 | 10.58% |
| Total: | 34,719 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 15,085 | 49.97% | 37.0 years |
| Females: | 15,104 | 50.03% | 40.0 years |
| Total: | 30,189 | 100% | 38.4 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 26,005 | 84.93% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 411 | 1.34% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 1,767 | 5.77% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 2,436 | 13.73% |
| Total Population: | 30,619 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 26,416 | 86.27% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 4,203 | 13.73% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $70,697, which is much lower than the national median ($78,538), is up $20,118 (39.8%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $9,417. Family households earn a median of $90,870 versus $42,330 for nonfamily households (a difference of $48,540). By gender, male median income is $56,784 and female is $44,759, which is much lower than the national female median ($53,445), with a current gap of $12,025 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 70.2%, which is above the national rate (63.5%). The unemployment rate is 2.8%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (33.4%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $50,579 | $50,532 | $50,219 | $54,763 | $55,923 | $58,314 | $58,627 | $61,888 | $61,280 | $59,386 | $62,364 | $67,871 | $70,697 |
| Median Family Income | $61,197 | $61,272 | $60,653 | $66,585 | $67,081 | $70,945 | $72,833 | $76,960 | $76,219 | $75,630 | $78,285 | $90,161 | $90,870 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $29,755 | $31,207 | $30,614 | $29,958 | $30,182 | $29,329 | $30,707 | $32,467 | $35,396 | $34,360 | $36,052 | $39,470 | $42,330 |
| Median Male Income | $42,208 | $42,368 | $42,692 | $42,104 | $41,287 | $44,183 | $45,484 | $46,993 | $47,770 | $51,641 | $51,156 | $55,385 | $56,784 |
| Median Female Income | $29,887 | $31,529 | $30,974 | $32,039 | $31,545 | $32,393 | $32,444 | $35,346 | $35,168 | $34,930 | $37,995 | $42,813 | $44,759 |
| Employed: | 16,084 | 68.18% |
| Unemployed: | 463 | 1.96% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 7,043 | 29.86% |
| Total: | 23,590 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 5,369 | 33.38% |
| Service: | 2,201 | 13.68% |
| Sales and Office: | 2,398 | 14.91% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 1,795 | 11.16% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 4,321 | 26.87% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 16,084 | 100% |
In 2023, the median home value is $204,700, which is far less than the national median ($303,400), is up $91,200 (80.35%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $54,200. The median gross rent is $872, which is far less than the national median ($1,348), is up $285 (48.55%) since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $106. Of occupied housing, owners make up 70.56% (48.19% with a mortgage, 51.81% free-and-clear) and renters 29.44% - making this ZIP Code more home ownership than the state and under national rental averages. The vacancy rate is 7.24%, which is considerably lower than the national rate (10.43%).
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $113,500 | $114,400 | $118,200 | $125,700 | $128,900 | $133,900 | $138,600 | $146,100 | $150,500 | $158,900 | $163,600 | $194,200 | $204,700 |
| Less than $500: | 381 | 10.76% |
| $500 to $999: | 1,596 | 45.08% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 929 | 26.24% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 349 | 9.86% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 34 | 0.96% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0.00% |
| $3,000 or more: | 10 | 0.28% |
| No Rent: | 241 | 6.81% |
| Total: | 3,540 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $587 | $609 | $616 | $654 | $669 | $679 | $680 | $745 | $766 | $740 | $810 | $874 | $872 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 4,089 | 34.00% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 4,396 | 36.56% |
| Renter Occupied: | 3,540 | 29.44% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 12,025 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 12,025 | 92.76% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 938 | 7.24% |
| Total Housing Units: | 12,963 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 10,049 | 77.52% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 2,087 | 16.10% |
| Other Units: | 827 | 6.38% |
| Total Housing Units: | 12,963 | 100% |
In 2023, 24.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is far lower than the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 88.70%, which is generally lower than the state rate (92.10%). The uninsured rate is 7.80%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.60%). The share of people in poverty is 7.30%, which is comparable to the national rate (8.70%), up 0.70 percentage points since 2011 and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by 0.60 percentage points. This points to rising hardship - a weaker consumer base, greater strain on public services, and job-market headwinds. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is elementary (50.54%). College enrollment is 12.35%, which is far lower than the national rate (26.70%), indicating the community may be more oriented toward vocational/trade or direct-to-workforce opportunities.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 1,095 | 5.48% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 1,162 | 5.81% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 6,180 | 30.90% |
| Some college, no degree: | 4,201 | 21.01% |
| Associate's degree: | 2,553 | 12.77% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 3,422 | 17.11% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 1,386 | 6.93% |
| Total: | 19,999 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 17,742 | 88.71% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 4,808 | 24.04% |
| Private Insurance: | 22,247 | 64.43% |
| Public Insurance: | 9,917 | 28.72% |
| No Insurance: | 2,366 | 6.85% |
| Total: | 34,530 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 32,164 | 93.15% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 6.6% | 7.6% | 8.5% | 7.2% | 6.8% | 6.2% | 6.4% | 6.5% | 6.7% | 5.4% | 5.1% | 5.6% | 7.3% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 506 | 6.70% |
| Kindergarten: | 401 | 5.31% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 3,815 | 50.54% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 1,894 | 25.09% |
| College or graduate school: | 932 | 12.35% |
| Total: | 7,548 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 907 | 12.02% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 6,110 | 80.95% |
ZIP Code 68601 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2023), there are 872 business establishments, employing about 14,051 people with an annual payroll of $710,960,000. USPS data shows 12,943 residential mailboxes and 924 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 12,943Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 924Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 13,742Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 10,576Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 978Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 872Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $177,598,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $710,960,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 14,051Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 68601 is located in Platte County, Nebraska, within the Columbus, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 18100) and Nebraska's 1st and 3rd Congressional Districts. This Micro area has a population of 44,899 people, about 67.24% of whom live in ZIP Code 68601. It covers 287.672 sq mi of land and a water area of 10.841 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Columbus, NESource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 18100Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 44,899Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 287.672 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | 10.841 sq miSource: Census |
| Congressional District: | 01,03Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 8879.02, 67435.41 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3110110Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Columbus city; NebraskaSource: Census |
ZIP Code 68601 is part of 2 school districts, including: Schuyler Community Schools (Grades PK thru 12) and Lakeview Community Schools (Grades Pre-Kindergarten thru 12th). There are 6 public schools and 7 private school(s) in this ZIP Code. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on October 1, 2025.