Columbus, NE

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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    2024 Population
    45,357
    US Senator
    Deb Fischer
    Republican Party
    US Senator
    Pete Ricketts
    Republican Party
    2024 Median Age
    37.1
    1.07% 1-year decrease
    2024 Poverty Rate
    9.08%
    4.16% 1-year increase
    2024 Median Household Income
    $75,378
    0.163% 1-year decline
    2024 Median Property Value
    $210,600
    8.22% 1-year growth
    2024 Employed Population
    23,347
    0.0729% 1-year growth

    About

    None of the households in Columbus, NE reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

    88.7% of the residents in Columbus, NE are U.S. citizens.

    In 2024, the median property value in Columbus, NE was $210,600, and the homeownership rate was 72.6%.

    Most people in Columbus, NE drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Columbus, NE was 2 cars per household.

    Columbus, NE borders Grand Island, NE and Norfolk, NE.

    United StatesNebraska

    Population & Diversity

    Columbus, NE is home to a population of 45.4k people, from which 88.7% are citizens. As of 2024, 16.1% of Columbus, NE residents were born outside of the country (7.33k people).

    In 2024, there were 4.32 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (30k people) in Columbus, NE than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.95k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 3.37k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    Population & Diversity

    Citizenship

    88.7%
    2024 Citizenship
    89.7%
    2023 Citizenship

    As of 2024, 88.7% of Columbus, NE residents were US citizens, which is lower than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Columbus, NE was 89.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

    The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Columbus, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Diversity

    Race and Ethnicity

    The 3 largest ethnic groups in Columbus, NE
    1. White (Non-Hispanic)
      30k ± 114
    2. Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
      6.95k ± 979
    3. Other (Hispanic)
      3.37k ± 775
    29.4%
    Hispanic Population
    13.3k people

    In 2024, there were 4.32 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (30k people) in Columbus, NE than any other race or ethnicity. There were 6.95k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) and 3.37k Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

    29.4% of the people in Columbus, NE are hispanic (13.3k people).

    The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Columbus, NE as a share of the total population.

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    Global Diversity

    The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Nebraska.
    Most Common Origin
    1. Mexico
      47,802 ± 5,303 people
    2. Guatemala
      13,722 ± 2,866 people
    3. El Salvador
      6,860 ± 2,030 people

    In 2024, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Nebraska was Mexico, the natal country of 47,802 Nebraska residents, followed by Guatemala with 13,722 and El Salvador with 6,860.

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    Foreign-Born Population

    16.1%
    2024 Foreign-Born Population
    7.33k people
    15.9%
    2023 Foreign-Born Population
    7.16k people

    As of 2024, 16.1% of Columbus, NE residents (7.33k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Columbus, NE was 15.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

    The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Columbus, NE compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Military

    Veterans

    Most Common Service Period
    1. Vietnam
      572 ± 132
    2. Gulf War (2001-)
      452 ± 242
    3. Gulf War (1990s)
      297 ± 117

    Columbus, NE has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.27 times greater than any other conflict.

    The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Columbus, NE.

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    Health

    91.5% of the population of Columbus, NE has health coverage, with 51.6% on employee plans, 14.1% on Medicaid, 12.3% on Medicare, 12.8% on non-group plans, and 0.715% on military or VA plans.

    Primary care physicians in Nebraska see 1,343 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,343 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1217 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 294 patients per year.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.7% were men and 48.3% were women.

    Coverage

    Patient to Clinician Ratios

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.
    1,343 to 1
    Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Nebraska

    Primary care physicians in Nebraska see an average of 1,343 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,343 patients).

    The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Nebraska in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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    Health Care Diversity

    In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 29.2% under 18 years, 18.2% between 18 and 34 years, 35.8% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.9% over 64 years.

    By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 51.7% were men and 48.3% were women.

    The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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    Uninsured People

    8.46%
    Uninsured
    51.6%
    Employer Coverage
    14.1%
    Medicaid
    12.3%
    Medicare
    12.8%
    Non-Group
    0.715%
    Military or VA

    Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Columbus, NE grew by 6.66% from 7.93% to 8.46%.

    The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Columbus, NE changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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    Economy

    The economy of Columbus, NE employs 23.3k people. In 2024, the largest industries in Columbus, NE were Manufacturing (7,039 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,473 people), and Retail Trade (2,153 people), and the highest paying industries were Utilities ($92,750), Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($73,750), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($68,022).

    Employment

    Occupations

    23.3k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,122
    0.0729%
    1 Year growth
    ± 6.74%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbus, NE grew at a rate of 0.0729%, from 23.3k employees to 23.3k employees.

    The most common job groups, by number of people living in Columbus, NE, are Production Occupations (4,100 people), Management Occupations (2,750 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,863 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Columbus, NE.

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    Unemployment Insurance Claims

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.

    This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Nebraska (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

    The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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    Industries

    Employment by Industries

    23.3k
    2024 Value
    ± 1,122
    0.0729%
    1 Year growth
    ± 6.74%

    From 2023 to 2024, employment in Columbus, NE grew at a rate of 0.0729%, from 23.3k employees to 23.3k employees.

    The most common employment sectors for those who live in Columbus, NE, are Manufacturing (7,039 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (2,473 people), and Retail Trade (2,153 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Columbus, NE, though some of these residents may live in Columbus, NE and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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    Median Earnings by Industry

    $51,053
    Median earning men ± $2,345
    $39,219
    Median earning women ± $2,523

    The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($110,438), Public Administration ($75,052), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($69,067).

    The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($59,479), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($59,153), and Information ($53,125).

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    Employment by Industry Sector

    Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.
    Y-Axis
    2.25%
    Year-over-year growth
    Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

    As of February 2023, there are 1.03M people employed in Nebraska. This represents a 2.25% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

    Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 8.87%.

    The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Nebraska.

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    Establishments by Size

    The industries with the most establishments
    1. 93
      Construction
    2. 86
      Other Services (except Public Administration)
    3. 73
      Transportation and Warehousing

    The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

    The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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    Payroll by Industry Sector

    The industries with the highest total annual payroll
    1. $463k
      Manufacturing
    2. $116k
      Health Care and Social Assistance
    3. $79.7k
      Retail Trade

    The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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    Civics

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Nebraska went to Donald J. Trump with 59.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.9%), followed by Other (0.849%).

    Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing the state of Nebraska. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    Nebraska is currently represented by 3 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

    Presidential Elections

    Voting results are not available for Columbus, NE. Showing the available data for Nebraska.
    2024 Election Results
    1. Donald J. Trump (59.3%)
      Republican Party
    2. Kamala Harris (38.9%)
      Democratic Party
    3. Other (0.849%)
      Other Party

    In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Nebraska went to Donald J. Trump with 59.3% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (38.9%), followed by Other (0.849%).

    The following chart shows the popular vote results in Nebraska for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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    Senator Elections

    US Senators from Nebraska

    Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Nebraska.
    Deb Fischer
    Senator from Nebraska1
    Assumed office on January 3, 2013
    Pete Ricketts
    Senator from Nebraska2
    Assumed office on January 12, 2023
    Appointed to the seat on January 12, 2023 following the resignation of Ben Sasse.

    Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are the senators currently representing Nebraska.

    In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

    The following chart shows elected senators in Nebraska over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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    Housing & Living

    The median property value in Columbus, NE was $210,600 in 2024, which is 0.633 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $194,600 to $210,600, a 8.22% increase. The homeownership rate in Columbus, NE is 72.6%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

    People in Columbus, NE have an average commute time of 16.4 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Columbus, NE is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

    Housing

    Property

    $210,600
    Median Property Value 2024
    ±$8,897
    $12,607
    Median Property Taxes
    ±$788

    The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Columbus, NE the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

    The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Columbus, NE compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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    Rent vs Own

    72.6%
    Homeownership
    2024
    63.5%
    Homeowners with Mortgage
    2024

    In 2024, 72.6% of the housing units in Columbus, NE were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 73.3%.

    This chart shows the percentage of owner in Columbus, NE compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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    Equity

    Household Income

    Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
    $75,378
    Median Household Income
    ± $3,203
    17.4k
    Number of Households
    ± 931

    In 2024, the median household income of the 17.4k households in Columbus, NE declined from $75,378 from the previous year's value of $75,501.

    The following chart displays the households in Columbus, NE distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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    Wage Distribution

    The closest comparable wage GINI for Columbus, NE is from Nebraska.
    0.447
    2024 Wage GINI in Nebraska
    0.447
    2023 Wage GINI in Nebraska

    In 2024, the income inequality in Nebraska was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.182% growth from 2023 to 2024, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Nebraska was lower than than the national average of 0.474. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Nebraska in comparison to the national average.

    This chart shows the number of workers in Nebraska across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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    Transportation

    Commuter Transportation

    Most Common Commute in 2024
    1. Drove Alone (79.3%)
    2. Carpooled (10.4%)
    3. Worked At Home (4.87%)

    In 2024, 79.3% of workers in Columbus, NE drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (10.4%) and those who worked at home (4.87%).

    The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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    Commute Time

    16.4 minutes
    Average Travel Time

    Using averages, employees in Columbus, NE have a shorter commute time (16.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 1.23% of the workforce in Columbus, NE have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

    The chart below shows how the median household income in Columbus, NE compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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    Car Ownership

    2 cars
    Average Number

    The following chart displays the households in Columbus, NE distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Columbus, NE have 2 cars.

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    Poverty

    Poverty & Diversity

    9.08% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Columbus, NE (4.07k out of 44.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 35 - 44, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males < 5.

    The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Columbus, NE is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

    The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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