| City: | Kearney, Nebraska |
| Names to Avoid: | Univ Of Ne Kearney |
| County: | Buffalo County |
| Timezone: | Central (GMT -06:00) |
| Local Time: | 1:29:35 AM |
| Population: | 1,433 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 308 |
| Classification: | Unique [Company/Government] |
| Coordinates: | 40.7007, -99.1069 |
| Land Area: | 0.22 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
The University of Nebraska at Kearney, established in 1903 as Kearney State Normal School and joined the University of Nebraska system in 1989, operates under dedicated ZIP code 68849 in Buffalo County. Located in the Great Plains region of central Nebraska, the campus spans approximately 0.1 square miles and serves as the third-largest campus in the University of Nebraska system. UNK offers 81 undergraduate majors, 32 graduate programs, and serves students from all 93 Nebraska counties, 47 states, and 56 countries. This postal designation has served the university for more than two decades.
The 2020 Census counted 1,433 residents within this ZIP, with a median age of 19.9 years reflecting the undergraduate student population. Nearly 98% of residents live in non-institutional group quarters, consistent with dormitory housing on a residential campus. Postal records show 24 ZIP+4 codes routing mail to the University of Nebraska Kearney on 25th Avenue. The athletic teams, known as the Lopers, compete at the NCAA Division II level. Mail should be addressed to Kearney, NE 68849 with the appropriate building or department name.
| Population: | 1,433 |
| Median Age: | 19.9 |
| Housing Units: | 11 |
| Establishments: | 10 |
| Employment: | 118 |
| Residential: | 0 |
| Business: | 1 |
Buildings registered in the USPS ZIP+4 database with designated codes for direct mail delivery.
ZIP Code 68849 has 1,433 residents and 11 households (average 2.55 persons per household). The median age is 19.9 years, significantly younger than the state (36.9) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 35.4% male and 64.6% female, which is much lower than the state male share (49.8%), making this a female-majority area. Largest groups are White (70.7%, much lower than the state average of 78.4% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Hispanic or Latino (16.7%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 16.7%, which is higher than the state average (12.0%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 1,433Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 1,347Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 0Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 6,513.6 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 11Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.55Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.89Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 339 | 317 | 314 | 318 | 717 | 747 | 747 | 1,020 | 965 | 1,187 | 1,566 | 1,324 | 1,347 |
| Decennial Census | 384 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 1,433 | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 19.9
Male Median Age: 20
Female Median Age: 19.8
| 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 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 248 | 231 | 14 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 1 | 1 | 2 | 540 | 355 | 21 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total | 4 | 3 | 4 | 788 | 586 | 35 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| White: | 1,013 | 61.32% |
| Black: | 43 | 2.60% |
| Hispanic:* | 239 | 14.47% |
| Asian: | 126 | 7.63% |
| American Indian: | 17 | 1.03% |
| Hawaiian: | 2 | 0.12% |
| Other: | 212 | 12.83% |
| Total: | 1,652 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 507 | 35.38% | 20.0 years |
| Females: | 926 | 64.62% | 19.8 years |
| Total: | 1,433 | 100% | 19.9 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 1,277 | 94.80% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 70 | 5.20% |
| Total Population: | 1,347 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 1,277 | 94.80% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 70 | 5.20% |
In 2023, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($74,985), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($49,375), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2023. The labor-force participation rate is 65.7%, which is tends to be lower than the state rate (68.8%). The unemployment rate is 11.9%, which is markedly higher than the state rate (3.0%). The largest occupation group is Sales (41.5%).
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 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $30,625 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $15,865 | $17,000 | $16,250 | $11,974 | $13,750 | $12,024 | $10,380 | $11,538 | $0 |
| Employed: | 780 | 57.91% |
| Unemployed: | 105 | 7.80% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 462 | 34.30% |
| Total: | 1,347 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 202 | 25.90% |
| Service: | 196 | 25.13% |
| Sales and Office: | 324 | 41.54% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 3 | 0.38% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 55 | 7.05% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 780 | 100% |
Insufficient data for educational attainment. The uninsured rate is 9.40%, which is on par with the state rate (7.40%). Private coverage is 86.60%, which is well above the national rate (67.30%). Public coverage is 4.20%, which is far lower than the national rate (36.30%). Insufficient data for poverty. Among residents ages 3+, the largest enrollment group is college (100.00%). College enrollment is 100.00%, which is markedly above the state rate (25.40%), indicating the community is likely a college hub with student-driven housing and services.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 0 | 0% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 0 | 0% |
| Some college, no degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 0 | 0% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0% |
| Private Insurance: | 1,166 | 86.43% |
| Public Insurance: | 56 | 4.15% |
| No Insurance: | 127 | 9.41% |
| Total: | 1,349 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 1,222 | 90.59% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | -666,666,666.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
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: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0.00% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0.00% |
| College or graduate school: | 1,347 | 100.00% |
| Total: | 1,347 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0.00% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0.00% |
ZIP Code 68849 supports both business and residential activity. According to the Business Census (2024), there are 9 business establishments, employing about 143 people with an annual payroll of $1,854,000. USPS data shows 0 residential mailboxes and 1 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 0Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 1Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 1Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 9Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $475,000Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $1,854,000Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 143Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 68849 is located in Buffalo County, Nebraska, within the Kearney, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 28260) and Nebraska's 3rd Congressional District. This Micro area has a population of 57,020 people, about 2.51% of whom live in ZIP Code 68849. It covers 0.22 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Kearney, NESource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 28260Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MicroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 57,020Source: Census |
| MSA: | Source: Census |
| Land Area: | 0.22 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 03Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 67435.41 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | 3125055Source: Census |
| Place Name: | Kearney city; NebraskaSource: Census |
We could not locate which school district 68849 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. 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 January 1, 2026.