Columbus, NE
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Columbus to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Columbus, Nebraska

Life in Columbus research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Columbus over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Columbus based on the most recently available data.

24,488 Population
$269,083 Median home value
$64,626 Median income
92 Cost of living -8% vs US
$892 Median rent
2.4% Unemployment
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Columbus SnackAbility

7
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 8/10
Housing 6/10
Affordability 8.5/10
Diversity 8/10
SafetyN/A
Amenities 9/10
Education 7/10
Commute 10/10

Crime in Columbus summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Columbus. Key points include:

  • There were 249 total crimes in Columbus in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Columbus is 1,012.4 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Columbus is 85.4 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Columbus is 927.0 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Columbus is -52.23% below the national average.

249
Total Crimes
-52.23%
Below National Average
Columbus
US

Crime In Columbus Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Columbus
/ 100k People
Nebraska
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 249 1,012.4 1,847.2 2,119.2
Violent Crime 21 85.4 220.5 359.0
Murder 0 0.0 2.1 5.0
Robbery 1 4.1 20.5 61.0
Aggravated Assault 9 36.6 154.5 256.0
Property Crime 228 927.0 1,626.7 1,760.0
Burglary 23 93.5 155.1 229.0
Larceny 189 768.4 1,218.9 1,272.0
Car Theft 16 65.1 252.6 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Columbus summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Columbus. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Nebraska. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Columbus is 92 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Columbus is 0.9x lower than the national average.

  • The median home value in Columbus is $269,083.

  • The median income in Columbus is $64,626.

92
Columbus's Overall Cost Of Living
0.9x
Lower Than The National Average
Columbus
US

Cost Of Living In Columbus Comparison Table

Living Expense Columbus Nebraska National Average
Overall 92 89 100
Services 94 98 100
Groceries 96 99 100
Health 83 77 100
Housing 103 99 100
Transportation 96 98 100
Utilities 98 96 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Columbus, NE Weather

  • The average high in Columbus is 61.2° and the average low is 38.6°.

  • There are 50.6 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 29.2 inches of precipitation each year with 27.6 inches of snow.

StatColumbus
Average Annual High61.2
Average Annual Low38.6
Annual Precipitation Days50.6
Average Annual Precipitation29.2
Average Annual Snowfall27.6
61.2°
Average High
50.6
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Columbus, NE Photos

Columbus Loup River Bridge From Nw
Source: Public Domain
Columbus Nebraska Aerial View
Source: Wikipedia User NHRHS2010 | CC BY-SA 3.0
Columbusc Nebraska Rr Depot From Se
Source: Public Domain
Columbusc Nebraska Th St From Se
Source: Public Domain
Columbus Hydroelectric Plant Nebraska
Source: Public Domain
Glur Tavern From E
Source: Public Domain

Rankings & Articles For Columbus

Locations Around Columbus

Map Of Columbus, NE

Best Places Around Columbus

1

Seward, NE
Population 7,678

$307,287+14% vs Columbus
2

Wahoo, NE
Population 4,929

$284,195+6% vs Columbus
3

Schuyler, NE
Population 6,578

$230,809-14% vs Columbus

Columbus Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Columbus

The current population in Columbus is 24,488. The population has increased 13.2% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 24,488 1.2%
2023 24,188 0.6%
2022 24,035 0.3%
2021 23,954 2.8%
2020 23,291 0.4%
2019 23,195 0.9%
2018 22,992 0.7%
2017 22,834 0.7%
2016 22,668 0.4%
2015 22,584 0.7%
2014 22,436 0.6%
2013 22,299 0.9%
2012 22,110 1.1%
2011 21,877 1.1%
2010 21,640 -

Race / Ethnicity in Columbus

White 67.6% (16,564)
African American 0.8% (199)
American Indian 0.2% (48)
Asian 0.1% (29)
Hawaiian 0.0% (0)
Other 0.1% (29)
Two Or More 2.9% (710)
Hispanic 28.2% (6,909)
See the full breakdown

Columbus is:

  • 67.6% White with 16,564 White residents.

  • 0.8% African American with 199 African American residents.

  • 0.2% American Indian with 48 American Indian residents.

  • 0.1% Asian with 29 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 0 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.1% Other with 29 Other residents.

  • 2.9% Two Or More with 710 Two Or More residents.

  • 28.2% Hispanic with 6,909 Hispanic residents.

Race Columbus NE USA
White 67.6% 75.3% 57.4%
African American 0.8% 4.6% 11.9%
American Indian 0.2% 0.6% 0.5%
Asian 0.1% 2.6% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.1% 0.4% 0.6%
Two Or More 2.9% 3.8% 4.3%
Hispanic 28.2% 12.7% 19.3%

Gender in Columbus

Female 50.3% (12,329)
Male 49.7% (12,158)
See the full breakdown
  • Columbus is 50.3% female with 12,329 female residents.

  • Columbus is 49.7% male with 12,158 male residents.

Gender Columbus NE USA
Female 50.3% 49.7% 50.5%
Male 49.7% 50.3% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Columbus for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 4.0% (979)
9-12th Grade 5.0% (1,224)
High School / GED 34.0% (8,325)
Some College 23.0% (5,632)
Associate's Degree 12.0% (2,938)
Bachelor's Degree 16.0% (3,918)
Master's Degree 5.0% (1,224)
Professional Degree 1.0% (244)
Doctorate Degree 0.0% (0)
See the full breakdown
  • 4.0% of adults in Columbus completed < 9th grade.

  • 5.0% of adults in Columbus completed 9-12th grade.

  • 34.0% of adults in Columbus completed high school / ged.

  • 23.0% of adults in Columbus completed some college.

  • 12.0% of adults in Columbus completed associate's degree.

  • 16.0% of adults in Columbus completed bachelor's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Columbus completed master's degree.

  • 1.0% of adults in Columbus completed professional degree.

  • 0.0% of adults in Columbus completed doctorate degree.

Education Columbus NE USA
< 9th Grade 4.0% 3.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 5.0% 4.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 34.0% 25.0% 26.0%
Some College 23.0% 22.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 12.0% 11.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 16.0% 22.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 5.0% 9.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 1.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 0.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Columbus, Nebraska

Less than $10,000 2.7% (67,124)
$10,000 to $14,999 3.5% (86,764)
$15,000 to $24,999 8.7% (212,312)
$25,000 to $34,999 9.4% (230,460)
$35,000 to $49,999 13.1% (320,954)
$50,000 to $74,999 19.4% (474,594)
$75,000 to $99,999 12.8% (314,241)
$100,000 to $149,999 17.7% (434,071)
$150,000 to $199,999 9.1% (223,251)
$200,000 or more 3.5% (85,024)
See the full breakdown
  • 2.7% of households in Columbus earn Less than $10,000.

  • 3.5% of households in Columbus earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 8.7% of households in Columbus earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 9.4% of households in Columbus earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 13.1% of households in Columbus earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 19.4% of households in Columbus earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 12.8% of households in Columbus earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 17.7% of households in Columbus earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 9.1% of households in Columbus earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 3.5% of households in Columbus earn $200,000 or more.

Income Columbus NE USA
Less than $10,000 2.7% 4.3% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.5% 3.1% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 8.7% 6.4% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 9.4% 6.9% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 13.1% 11.1% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 19.4% 17.3% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 12.8% 13.5% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 17.7% 18.9% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 9.1% 9.1% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 3.5% 9.4% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)