City · Nebraska
Columbus, Nebraska
Columbus, city, in Platte County, Nebraska. Columbus had 25,248 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 24,028 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 24,488 (±26). GEOID 3110110.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,248
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 24,028 · ACS 2020-2024: 24,488 ±26
Median household income
$64,626
±$4,890 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$213,600
±$8,540 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$892
±$68 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
Where is Columbus and what county is it in?
Columbus is a city in Platte County, Nebraska. It covers 10.6 square miles of land, 2,261 residents per square mile in 2020.
Columbus is in the Columbus, NE micropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Columbus, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 25,248 people lived in Columbus on July 1, 2025, up 5.0% since 2020, faster than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020 Census counted 24,028 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 24,488 (±26).
| Measure | Columbus | Platte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 24,488 ±26 | 34,716 | +1,293 |
| Households | 9,850 ±251 | 13,658 | +581 |
| Average household size | 2.45 ±0.06 | 2.51 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,303 ±222 | 14,325 | +536 |
Columbus's population since 2000
From 20,971 in 2000 to 25,248 in 2025: up 20.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Columbus as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Columbus?
The median resident of Columbus is 37.4 years old; 26.5% are under 18 and 17.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 67.6%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 28.2%. 14.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Columbus | Platte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.4 ±1.1 | 37.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 26.5% ±1.0 pts | 26.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.7% ±1.2 pts | 18.3% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±1.1 pts | 51.0% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 28.2% ±1.7 pts | 23.7% | +5.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 67.6% ±1.9 pts | 72.7% | −6.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8% ±0.4 pts | 0.7% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.9% ±1.0 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 14.3% ±2.1 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 23.5% ±2.1 pts | 19.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.6% ±1.2 pts | 5.1% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4% ±1.5 pts | 11.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.8% ±1.7 pts | 7.3% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.9% ±1.6 pts | 90.3% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 21.8% ±2.7 pts | 23.0% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 5.9% ±1.5 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 87.9% ±3.1 pts | 89.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.5% ±2.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Columbus earn?
Half of Columbus's 9,850 households earn less than $64,626 a year (±$4,890), against $71,552 in Platte County and $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 the median was $73,977 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $9,351 after inflation. 11.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Columbus | Platte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $64,626 ±$4,890 | $71,552 | −$9,351 |
| Mean household income | $83,663 ±$4,877 | $91,157 | – |
| Per capita income | $34,527 ±$1,878 | $36,874 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 11.3% ±2.7 pts | 9.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.7% ±5.1 pts | 10.5% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 8.5% ±2.1 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Households with a computer | 94.2% ±1.7 pts | 93.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.4% ±2.3 pts | 88.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Columbus?
Owners occupy 66.1% of Columbus's occupied homes and renters 33.9%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $213,600 by its owner (±$8,540). The median renter pays $892 a month including utilities, and 35.0% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Columbus | Platte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $213,600 ±$8,540 | $223,900 | +$34,534 |
| Median gross rent | $892 ±$68 | $897 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.0% ±5.9 pts | 32.9% | +12.8 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,563 ±$71 | $1,605 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.1% ±3.2 pts | 71.6% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 33.9% ±3.2 pts | 28.4% | – |
| Housing units | 10,303 ±222 | 14,325 | +536 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6% ±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.7% ±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 72.7% ±2.7 pts | 76.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 3.0% ±1.5 pts | 5.3% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.0% ±1.2 pts | 2.5% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 7.6% ±1.8 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 12.2% ±2.2 pts | 16.1% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 6.7% ±2.1 pts | 5.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Columbus building?
Builders took permits for 402 new housing units in Columbus in 2025 (146 in single-family houses), 15.9 per 1,000 residents against 5.3 across Nebraska.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Columbus work and get to work?
79.6% of Columbus's workers drive alone and 4.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 15.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.4%.
| Measure | Columbus | Platte County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.4% ±1.9 pts | 69.1% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.4% ±1.0 pts | 2.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 79.6% ±3.3 pts | 80.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.2% ±2.4 pts | 9.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Walked | 2.4% ±1.0 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.4% ±1.5 pts | 5.3% | +2.1 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 15.1 min ±1.9 | 16.1 min | +3.0 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Columbus?
4 census tracts lie mostly in Columbus, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $54,650 (Tract 9656) to $73,695 (Tract 9657).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9653.02Platte County | 5,831 | $54,976 |
| Tract 9656Platte County | 5,155 | $54,650 |
| Tract 9655Platte County | 5,076 | $61,184 |
| Tract 9657Platte County | 3,389 | $73,695 |
| Tract 9654Platte County | 5,625 | $71,156 |
| Tract 9653.01Platte County | 2,576 | $95,147 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Columbus) · Census block assignment files
How does Columbus compare with other places in Nebraska?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Columbus is the 1,601st-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 8th-most populous of 528 in Nebraska.
Columbus ranks 84th of 136 places in Nebraska with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 8th | 528 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 17th | 132 |
| Residents per square mile | 14th | 136 |
| Median household income | 84th | 136 |
| Per capita income | 81st | 136 |
| Median home value | 39th | 135 |
| Median gross rent | 52nd | 129 |
| Poverty rate | 52nd | 109 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 92nd | 135 |
| Median age | 81st | 136 |
| Owner-occupied share | 100th | 135 |
| Work from home | 71st | 84 |
| Travel time to work | 99th | 135 |
Columbus's figures with every place in Nebraska (CSV)
Every place in Nebraska, sortable · Compare Columbus with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Columbus?
7 of the 57 figures for Columbus on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Columbus are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Columbus.