Amherst ZIP Codes — Buffalo County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Amherst, Nebraska and it is 68812. Area code: 308.

ZIP codes

122.71

sq mi land

0.03

sq mi water

308

area code

Amherst, NE ZIP code map

About Amherst, NE

Amherst is a small, welcoming village located in Buffalo County, Nebraska. This charming community is known for its friendly residents and serene rural landscape. With its close-knit atmosphere, Amherst provides a unique glimpse into small-town life in the heart of Nebraska.

Location & geography

Situated in central Nebraska, Amherst is surrounded by picturesque countryside and vast agricultural lands. It is approximately 13 miles south of Kearney, 11 miles east of Holdrege, 25 miles west of Grand Island, and 50 miles north of Hastings. The village covers a land area of 122.71 square miles, complemented by a minimal water area of 0.03 square miles.

Community & economy

The character of Amherst is defined by its agricultural roots and a strong sense of community. Residents typically engage in various industries, including farming and small local businesses, which sustain daily life in the area. The village environment fosters close relationships among families and emphasizes shared values.

Transportation

Amherst is conveniently accessible via several major highways, including Nebraska Highway 40, which runs through the village. The nearest airport is Kearney Regional Airport, located roughly 15 miles to the north, offering regional flights and services. Public transit options are limited, typical of rural communities, but residents often rely on personal vehicles for transportation.

History

Amherst was established in the late 1800s and has since maintained its agricultural heritage. Throughout its history, the village has been characterized by farming and agricultural production, which continue to be key aspects of its economy. Notable events include local fairs and celebrations that highlight the community's traditions and strong friendships.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Amherst is that despite its small size, the village encompasses a significant land area for a community of its scale. Additionally, it serves as a reminder of the rich agricultural history that shapes the surrounding region.

ZIP codes for Amherst, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68812	Amherst	Buffalo	View map

Demographics & statistics

637

Population

37.3

Median age

$70,750

Median household income

$30,045

Per capita income

$192,100

Median home value

$650

Median monthly rent

77.7%

Home ownership

3.1%

Poverty rate

3.5%

Unemployment

217

Housing units

40.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

10–14

15–19

20–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	211	33.1%
18 and over	426	66.9%
65 and over	102	16.0%
Median age	37.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.8%

Two or more races 1.1%

Hispanic or Latino 0.8%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.3%

Group	Count	%
White	628	97.8%
Two or more races	7	1.1%
Hispanic or Latino	5	0.8%
American Indian / Alaska Native	2	0.3%

Household income

Under $10k 4.4%

$10k–$15k 0.4%

$15k–$25k 5.7%

$25k–$35k 7.4%

$35k–$50k 8.3%

$50k–$75k 27.9%

$75k–$100k 20.1%

$100k–$150k 12.2%

$150k–$200k 10.5%

$200k+ 3.1%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.4%
$10k–$15k	0.4%
$15k–$25k	5.7%
$25k–$35k	7.4%
$35k–$50k	8.3%
$50k–$75k	27.9%
$75k–$100k	20.1%
$100k–$150k	12.2%
$150k–$200k	10.5%
$200k+	3.1%
Median income	$70,750

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 11.2%

$50k–$100k 14.6%

$100k–$150k 12.4%

$150k–$200k 15.2%

$200k–$300k 19.7%

$300k–$500k 23.0%

$500k–$1M 3.4%

$1M+ 0.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$192,100
Median rent / month	$650
Owner occupied	77.7%
Renter occupied	22.3%
Vacant	14.6%
Single-family detached	95.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	3.4%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	2.53

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	5.2%
2000–2009	9.0%
1990–1999	8.6%
1980–1989	14.9%
1970–1979	13.1%
1960–1969	5.6%
1950–1959	8.2%
1940–1949	3.0%
1939 or earlier	32.5%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.4%
2 bedrooms	27.6%
3 bedrooms	46.6%
4 bedrooms	15.3%
5+ bedrooms	10.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	6.1%
1 vehicle	17.5%
2 vehicles	22.3%
3 or more	54.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	34.5%
Electricity	36.2%
Propane / LP gas	23.1%
Wood	3.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	152	66.4%
Cohabiting couple	0	0.0%
Male householder, no spouse	45	19.7%
Female householder, no spouse	32	14.0%
Households with children under 18	86	37.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	65	28.4%
Average household size	2.78

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	24.8%	15.3%
Married	65.1%	72.7%
Separated	0.0%	1.0%
Widowed	0.8%	4.3%
Divorced	9.2%	6.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 1.5%

HS graduate 23.9%

Some college, no degree 20.4%

Associate's degree 13.5%

Bachelor's degree 23.7%

Graduate / professional 17.0%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	98.5%
Bachelor's or higher	40.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	39	22.0%
Kindergarten	17	9.6%
Elementary school	65	36.7%
High school	18	10.2%
College / grad school	38	21.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 23.8%

Agriculture & mining 17.2%

Professional & management 12.5%

Other services 8.1%

Construction 6.6%

Wholesale trade 6.2%

Retail trade 6.2%

Manufacturing 5.5%

Finance & real estate 5.5%

Arts, food & hospitality 3.7%

Transportation & utilities 3.3%

Public administration 1.5%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	45.4%
Service	14.3%
Sales & office	9.2%
Natural resources & construction	19.0%
Production & transportation	12.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	63.4%
Government	18.3%
Self-employed	12.1%
Unpaid family workers	6.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	82.4%
Carpool	9.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	4.0%
Other means	0.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.9

Poverty

All people 3.1%

Under 18 years 0.0%

18 and over 4.7%

Married-couple families 1.3%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	26.6%
Retirement income	18.3%
Supplemental Security	0.0%
Cash public assistance	1.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.1%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	31.0%
High cholesterol	32.2%
Heart disease	6.3%
Stroke	2.8%
Asthma	8.2%
Arthritis	25.1%
Kidney disease	2.7%
Pulmonary disease	5.6%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	22.2%
No physical activity	19.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	26.7%
Fair or poor health	10.4%
Poor mental health	10.7%
Poor physical health	8.3%
No health insurance	12.0%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.7%
Visited dentist	70.0%
Cholesterol screening	88.4%
Teeth loss	11.3%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	17	4.0%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.9%
Under 18	5.2%
18–64 years	6.5%
65 and over	24.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.9%
Public insurance	19.8%
Uninsured under 19	0.9%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	591	92.8%
Spanish	8	1.4%
Other Indo-European	3	0.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	5	0.8%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	636	99.8%
Born in same state	635	99.7%
Born in different state	543	85.2%
Foreign born	1	0.2%
Naturalized citizen	1	0.2%
Not a US citizen	1	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	106	16.6%
Italian	37	5.8%
Dutch	21	3.3%
Arab	13	2%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	4	0.6%
Irish	2	0.3%
German	1	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	35.9%
Internet access	90.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Amherst, NE have?

Amherst, NE has one ZIP code: 68812. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.