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CITY · 2020 ACS

Columbus

Nebraska · 24,028 residents · 10.606 sq mi
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The short version

Columbus has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $57,919. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $155,400.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 37.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
23% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
24,028
+15%since 2000
from 20,971 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,266 / sq mi
+15%since 2000
from 1,977 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
37.7
+6%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
19K20K22K23K25K1990201020202024Columbus
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$57,919
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $38,874 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,283
+65%since 2000
from $18,345 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
36.9%
+14.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.5% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.3%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 6.9% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade28.5%
US avg: 10%
Information14.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction3.7%
US avg: 1.2%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services3.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Transportation & warehousing1.8%
US avg: 2.5%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$155,400
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $79,400 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$737
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $429 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
67.1%
−2.3 ptssince 2000
from 69.4% in 2000
32.9% rent
Afford Score
2.7
+31%since 2000
from 2.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Columbus on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic91.6%(19,209)
Black0.4%(79)
Hispanic / Latino6.7%(1,395)
Asian0.5%(100)
Other0%
Diversity Score17.6%(3,701)
2020
White, non-Hispanic69.7%(16,749)
Black1.4%(327)
Hispanic / Latino25.4%(6,093)
Asian0.7%(177)
Other1.7%(404)
Diversity Score54.5%(13,105)
Diversity Score
55
+209%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.5%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
90.0%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 84.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
7.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 5.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
11.8 min
+19%since 2000
from 10.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.6%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 85.5% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.5%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.1%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 5.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
69.9%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 73.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
28.3%
−33.0 ptssince 2009
from 61.3% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.2%
+1.7 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
49.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
12.5%
+5.6 ptssince 2009
from 6.9% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.7%
−76.9 ptssince 2013
from 87.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Columbus

Liberty Triangle
Pop 24,888
Eustis
Pop 25,483
Hialeah Gardens
Pop 22,777
Edgewater
Pop 24,795
Places similar to Columbus
Head to head

Compare Columbus to nearby cities

COLUMBUS VS
Norfolk
Income$58,884+2%
Home value$211,700+36%
Population26,677+6%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
York
Income$63,265+9%
Home value$180,900+16%
Population8,284−67%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Fremont
Income$71,152+23%
Home value$214,700+38%
Population28,350+12%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
COLUMBUS VS
Lincoln
Income$71,867+24%
Home value$264,000+70%
Population301,522+1094%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Columbus, Nebraska?

Columbus, Nebraska has about 24,028 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Columbus, Nebraska?

The typical household in Columbus, Nebraska earns about $57,919 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Columbus, Nebraska expensive?

In Columbus, Nebraska, the median home is worth about $155,400, and the typical rent is about $737 a month.

How educated are people in Columbus, Nebraska?

About 22.5% of adults age 25 and over in Columbus, Nebraska hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Columbus, Nebraska?

About 8.3% of people in Columbus, Nebraska live below the federal poverty line.

Has Columbus, Nebraska grown since 1990?

Yes, Columbus, Nebraska has grown since 1990. The population has added about 4,548 residents, a change of about 23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →