Columbus city, Nebraska Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Columbus city, Nebraska has a total population of 24,188, the 9th largest city in Nebraska, with a median household income of $67,212, which is 10% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.7%.
Columbus city Quick Facts
How Columbus city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Columbus city Rankings in Nebraska
Explore Nebraska Rankings
Other Cities in Platte County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Newman Grove city | 934 | $57,000 | 14.7% | $82,500 |
Cities Similar to Columbus city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hastings city | 25,005 | $61,202 | $177,200 | 28.0% | 14.8% |
| Norfolk city | 25,962 | $62,175 | $199,100 | 24.0% | 12.7% |
| Fremont city | 27,321 | $67,179 | $194,400 | 21.5% | 9.5% |
| North Platte city | 23,030 | $57,805 | $159,500 | 18.2% | 16.1% |
| Papillion city | 24,063 | $109,602 | $290,900 | 48.1% | 4.2% |
Population Overview
Columbus city is a small city located in Nebraska, within Platte County. The total population is 24,188. It ranks as the 9th most populous out of 584 cities and towns in Nebraska.
Age Demographics
The median age in Columbus city is 37.7 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 37.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Columbus city is $67,212. This is 10% lower than the state median of $74,985. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 14% lower. The poverty rate stands at 9.7%. This is 6% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. The median home value is $198,900. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $223,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x. 66.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Columbus city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 26.3%. The Black or African American population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 4.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (26.3% vs 12.3%). The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
23.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% lower than the state rate of 34.1%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 90.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Columbus city, Nebraska is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Nebraska state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 584 Census-designated places in Nebraska. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
Free data download: Get all Nebraska city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Columbus city, Nebraska?
Columbus city, Nebraska has a population of 24,188 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Columbus city, NE?
The median household income in Columbus city is $67,212, which is 14% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Columbus city, NE?
The poverty rate in Columbus city is 9.7%. This means approximately 2,320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Columbus city, Nebraska?
Columbus city's population is 69.7% White, 0.9% Black, 26.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Columbus city, NE?
The median home value in Columbus city is $198,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.0x.
How educated is Columbus city, Nebraska?
23.3% of adults (25+) in Columbus city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.