Columbus
City in Platte County, Nebraska
Columbus is a city in Platte County, Nebraska, with 24,028 residents (2020 Census). It sits at 1,447 ft (441 m) above sea level. The nearest town is Lakeview, 4.4 miles N.
- 24,028residents (2020 Census)
- 1,447 ftelevation · 441 m
- 10.9 sq miland area · 28.2 km²
- 2,207 / sq mipopulation density
- 68601ZIP code
About Columbus
Columbus is the county seat of Platte County, Nebraska, situated at the confluence of the Loup and Platte rivers roughly 85 miles (137 km) west-northwest of Omaha and 75 miles (121 km) northwest of Lincoln by road, near the county's southern edge. With an estimated population of 25,248 as of 2025, it is the 8th-most populous city in Nebraska.
Initially settled in May 1856 along the historic Great Platte River Road, the city was named for Columbus, Ohio; its location along the proposed transcontinental railroad made it especially attractive to early settlers. Despite the construction of a hydroelectric plant, the Great Depression hit the region especially hard. Its economy has since pivoted to one based on agriculture, manufacturing, and services such as healthcare.
Today, Columbus is governed by a mayor and a city council. The city is located in the Omaha media market, and has 6 radio stations licensed to it; it is also home to the Columbus Telegram, a newspaper published five days per week. A campus of Central Community College is located 4 miles (6.4 km) outside Columbus; its sports teams are the Raiders.
Text: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
Columbus weather: 7-day forecast
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Source: National Weather Service (NOAA).
Live webcams in Columbus
Webcams: Windy.com
Living in Columbus
- Median household income
- $64,626
- Median home value
- $213,600
- Median rent
- $892/mo
- Median age
- 37.4
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Map of Columbus
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Columbus Street View
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Open in Google Maps ›Columbus, NE population
Columbus had 24,028 residents in the 2020 Census.
| 2020 Census | 24,028 |
|---|---|
| Density | 2,207 per sq mi (852 per km²) |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Decennial Census.
Columbus at a glance
| State | Nebraska (NE) |
|---|---|
| County | Platte County |
| Type | City |
| Population | 24,028 (2020) |
| Land area | 10.89 sq mi (28.2 km²) |
| Water area | 0.26 sq mi (0.68 km²) |
| Elevation | 1,447 ft (441 m) |
| Coordinates | 41.4371° N, 97.3586° W |
| ZIP code | 68601 |
| Official website | columbusne.us |
| Census code (GEOID) | 3110110 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Gazetteer, ZCTA), USGS GNIS, Wikidata.
Towns near Columbus
- Lakeview4.4 mi N
- Richland7.4 mi E
- Duncan7.7 mi SW
- Bellwood9.0 mi SE
- Platte Center9.7 mi NW
- Monroe12.7 mi W
- Tarnov14.4 mi NW
- Schuyler15.4 mi E
- Octavia16.7 mi E
- Rising City16.8 mi S
- Shelby17.1 mi S
- David City17.5 mi SE
Straight-line distance between town centers.
Frequently asked questions about Columbus
What county is Columbus in?
Columbus is in Platte County, Nebraska.
What is the population of Columbus, NE?
24,028 people lived in Columbus at the 2020 Census.
What is the ZIP code of Columbus, NE?
The ZIP code of Columbus is 68601.
What is the elevation of Columbus?
1,447 feet (441 m) above sea level.
What towns are near Columbus?
Lakeview (4.4 mi), Richland (7.4 mi), Duncan (7.7 mi), Bellwood (9.0 mi), Platte Center (9.7 mi).
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