Columbus, NE Demographics

A map of Columbus's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	16,564	16,749	67.6%	69.7%
Hispanic	6,909	6,093	28.2%	25.4%
Multiracial	710	514	2.9%	2.1%
Black	199	327	0.8%	1.4%
Native American/Other	77	168	0.3%	0.7%
Asian	29	177	0.1%	0.7%

Columbus, Nebraska has an estimated population of 24,488, a slight increase from the 24,028 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 67.6% White, 28.2% Hispanic, 2.9% Multiracial, 0.8% Black, 0.3% Native American/Other, and 0.1% Asian. This demographic dot map shows the population of Columbus, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Columbus has become more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Nebraska overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Columbus, that probability was 44.9% in 2020 and 46.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Columbus is ranked the 10th most populous place in Nebraska, out of 593 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Columbus was ranked the 10th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Columbus's White Population

16,564 residents of Columbus, or 67.6% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Columbus is lower than in Nebraska overall, where 75.3% of the population is White. Columbus ranks 554th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 593 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's White population has declined by an estimated 1.1%. White residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 69.7% to 67.6%.

Columbus is less White than neighboring Lakeview (99.8% White), Richland (83.6% White), Duncan (89.1% White), Bellwood (96.5% White), and Platte Center (92.8% White).

Columbus's Black Population

199 residents of Columbus, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Columbus is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 4.6% of the population is Black. Columbus ranks 48th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 593 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Black population has declined by an estimated 39.1%. Black residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 1.4% to 0.8%.

Columbus is more Black than neighboring Lakeview (0% Black), Richland (0% Black), Duncan (0% Black), Bellwood (0% Black), and Platte Center (0% Black).

Columbus's Asian Population

29 residents of Columbus, or 0.1% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Columbus is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Columbus ranks 91st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 593 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Asian population has declined by an estimated 83.6%. Asian residents' share of Columbus's population has decreased from 0.7% to 0.1%.

Columbus is more Asian than neighboring Lakeview (0% Asian), Richland (0% Asian), and Bellwood (0% Asian). Columbus is less Asian than neighboring Duncan (0.2% Asian), and Platte Center (0.6% Asian).

Columbus's Hispanic Population

6,909 residents of Columbus, or 28.2% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Columbus is significantly higher than in Nebraska overall, where 12.7% of the population is Hispanic. Columbus ranks 20th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 593 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 13.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 25.4% to 28.2%.

Columbus is more Hispanic than neighboring Lakeview (0% Hispanic), Richland (16.4% Hispanic), Duncan (10% Hispanic), Bellwood (1% Hispanic), and Platte Center (1.3% Hispanic).

Columbus's Native American/Other Population

77 residents of Columbus, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Columbus is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Columbus ranks 209th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 593 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 54.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Columbus's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Columbus is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lakeview (0.2% Native American/Other), Richland (0% Native American/Other), and Bellwood (0.2% Native American/Other). Columbus is less Native American/Other than neighboring Duncan (0.7% Native American/Other), and Platte Center (2.2% Native American/Other).

Columbus's Multiracial Population

710 residents of Columbus, or 2.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Columbus is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Columbus ranks 381st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 593 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Columbus's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 38.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Columbus's population has increased from 2.1% to 2.9%.

Columbus is more Multiracial than neighboring Lakeview (0% Multiracial), Richland (0% Multiracial), Duncan (0.2% Multiracial), and Bellwood (2.2% Multiracial). Columbus is less Multiracial than neighboring Platte Center (3.1% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.