Median Age
38 Years
Largest Age Group
10-19 Years
Approximately 14% of Residents
Under 20
28%
Over 65
18%
Columbus, NE
Area Guide
Avg Rent
$1,143
Population
24,245
Renter Mix
33% Rent
Discover the historic gems of this quaint small town
Suburban
•
Rural
•
Family-Friendly
Stretched along the banks of the Loup River, Columbus is a small town steeped in a rich history. Columbus is a history buff’s dream, containing the Andrew Jackson Higgins National Memorial, Spanish-American War Veterans Memorial, and the Platte County Museum among many other historical markers.
Past blends with present in Columbus’ downtown area, which is brimming with modern eateries, specialty shops, and government buildings. Recreational opportunities abound in Columbus as well, with active mainstays like Pawnee Plunge Water Park, Quail Run Golf Course, and Bob Lake Trail as well as convenient access to the Loup and Platte Rivers. Larger cities like Omaha and Lincoln are a little over an hour’s drive from Columbus, should you crave big-city bustle for a weekend getaway. Getting around from Columbus is easy with access to U.S. 30 and U.S. 81 in addition to the Columbus Airport.
Demographics
Median Household Income
$62,669
Average: $77,158
Education
4,145
Residents Have a Degree
Job Market
12,866
Workers Employed
Age Distribution
Get a sense of this area's population profile.
Housing Distribution
Columbus has more homeowners than renters.
Renters
33%
Non-Renters
67%
Education Distribution
Review this city's overall education levels.
Bachelor's or Higher
14%
Other Education
86%
Rent Trends
As of June 2026, the average apartment rent in Columbus, NE is $1,117 for a studio, $1,155 for one bedroom, $1,231 for two bedrooms, and $1,155 for three bedrooms. Apartment rent in Columbus has increased by 3.5% in the past year.
Property Type
Average Rent
Average Sq Ft
Apartment
$1,155/month
719 Sq Ft
Getting Around
Explore how walkable, bikeable, drivable, and transit-friendly Columbus, NE is for everyday living.
Fairly Walkable
Walkability
50
/ 100
Very Drivable
Drivability
80
/ 100
Fairly Bikeable
Bikeability
40
/ 100
Scores provided by
Schools
Public
Grades PK-5
338 Students
Public
Grades K-8
1,174 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
262 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
262 Students
Public
Grades PK-5
413 Students
Public
Grades 6-8
147 Students
Public
Grades K-8
1,174 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
Public
Grades 9-12
311 Students
Public
Grades 9-12
1,273 Students
Public
Grades 6-12
School data provided by
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Data provided by
GreatSchools.org
© 2026. All rights reserved.
Points of Interest
Shopping Centers
Colleges
Top Apartments in Columbus
Houses for Rent in Columbus
Methodology
† Our analysis of utilities, groceries, transportation, healthcare, home prices, and other goods and services is sourced from the Cost of Living Index, a respected benchmark published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER) that provides a thorough overview of living expenses across different regions.
Rent data is provided by CoStar Group’s Market Trend reports. As the industry leader in commercial real estate information, analytics, and news, CoStar conducts extensive research to produce and maintain a comprehensive database of commercial real estate information. We combine this data with public record to provide the most up-to-date rental information available.
Consumer goods, services, and home prices are sourced from the Cost of Living Index published by the Council for Community and Economic Research (C2ER). The data on this page is updated quarterly. It was last published in June 2026.
Demographic information comes from Neustar and combines detailed address data with U.S. Census and American Community Survey statistics to produce reliable local estimates.