Columbus, NE Profile: Facts & Data

The City of Columbus is the 10th largest city in Nebraska with a population of 24,645 as of July 1, 2024. Columbus ranks in the upper quartile for Population Density and Diversity Index when compared to the other cities, towns and Census Designated Places (CDPs) in Nebraska. See peer rankings below.

The primary coordinate point for Columbus is located at latitude 41.4297 and longitude -97.3684 in Platte County. The formal boundaries for the City of Columbus encompass a land area of 10.12 sq. miles and a water area of 0.23 sq. miles. Platte County is in the Central time zone (GMT -6).

The City of Columbus has a C5 Census Class Code which indicates an active incorporated place that is independent of any county subdivision and serves as a county subdivision equivalent. It also has a Functional Status Code of "A" which identifies an active government providing primary general-purpose functions.

Columbus, NE Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION
Total Population	24,645 (100%)
Population in Households	24,297 (98.6%)
Population in Families	19,675 (79.8%)
Population in Group Quarters¹	348 ( 1.4%)
Population Density	2,324
Diversity Index²	67


INCOME
Median Household Income	$63,071
Average Household Income	$86,830
% of Income for Mortgage⁴	21%
Per Capita Income	$34,208
Wealth Index⁵	74
Socioeconomic Status Index⁶	Moderate (51.5)

HOUSING
Total HU (Housing Units)	10,273 (100%)
Owner Occupied HU	6,496 (63.2%)
Renter Occupied HU	3,207 (31.2%)
Vacant Housing Units	570 ( 5.5%)
Median Home Value	$209,480
Average Home Value	$241,907
Housing Affordability Index³	111

HOUSEHOLDS
Total Households	9,703
Average Household Size	2.50
Family Households	6,133
Average Family Size	3.00

NOTES

Group Quarters - a place where people live or stay in a group living arrangement. Includes college residents halls, nursing facilities, military barracks, and correctional facilities.
The Diversity Index is a scale of 0 to 100 that represents the likelihood that two persons, chosen at random from the same area, belong to different races or ethnic groups. If an area's entire population belongs to one race AND one ethnic group, then the area has zero diversity. An area's diversity index increases to 100 when the population is evenly divided into two or more race/ethnic groups.
The Housing Affordability Index base is 100 and represents a balance point where a resident with a median household income can normally qualify to purchase a median price home. Values above 100 indicate increased affordability, while values below 100 indicate decreased affordability.
The % of Income for Mortgage quantifies the percentage of median household income dedicated to mortgage payments on a home priced at the median value (assuming a 30-year mortgage and a 20% down payment).
The Wealth Index is based on a number of indicators of affluence including average household income and average net worth, but it also includes the value of material possessions and resources. It represents the wealth of the area relative to the national level. Values above or below 100 represent above-average wealth or below-average wealth compared to the national level.
The Socioeconomic Index ranges from zero (lowest relative status) to 100 (highest relative status). This measure quantifies disparities in social position of an area's inhabitants and is built from a broad range of demographic, housing, and socioeconomic inputs. More information on this measure can be found in Esri's SEI tutorial.

Columbus, NE - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

The table below compares Columbus to the other 593 incorporated cities, towns and CDPs in Nebraska by rank and percentile using July 1, 2024 data. The location Ranked # 1 has the highest value. A location that ranks higher than 75% of its peers would be in the 75th percentile of the peer group.

GROWTH RATE / YEAR	2020-2024	2024-2029
Population	0.59%	0.30%
Households	0.55%	0.37%
Families		0.33%
Median Household Income		1.75%
Per Capita Income		2.76%
Owner Occupied HU		0.70%

Variable Description	Rank	Percentile
Total Population	# 10	98th
Population Density	# 16	97th
Median Household Income	# 378	36th
Housing Affordability Index	# 280	47th
Per Capita Income	# 422	29th
Diversity Index	# 17	97th

Columbus, NE Profile: Facts & Data

Columbus, Nebraska - Basic Facts

Columbus, NE Data & Demographics (As of July 1, 2024)

POPULATION

INCOME

HOUSING

HOUSEHOLDS

GROWTH RATE / YEAR

Columbus, NE - Peer Comparisons by Rank and Percentile

Columbus, NE - Most Popular Things to Do

Use HTL Address Research for a Nebraska Address and get...

Quick & Easy Ways to...

Nebraska Census Data Comparison Tool

Platte County