Carleton ZIP Codes — Thayer County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Carleton, Nebraska and it is 68326. Area code: 402.

ZIP codes

54.67

sq mi land

0.05

sq mi water

402

area code

Carleton, NE ZIP code map

About Carleton, NE

Carleton is a small and charming community located in Thayer County, Nebraska. Known for its rural character, it offers a peaceful lifestyle surrounded by the beauty of the Nebraska plains. With a close-knit population, residents take pride in their town's heritage and community events.

Location & geography

Carleton is situated in southeastern Nebraska, providing easy access to the larger cities of Hebron to the west at approximately 14 miles, and Nelson to the north at about 12 miles. The town itself covers a total land area of 54.67 square miles, with a minimal water area of 0.05 square miles, reflecting the predominantly dry terrain of the region. The geography is characterized by vast flatlands typical of the Great Plains, making it ideal for agriculture.

Community & economy

The community in Carleton is known for its friendly atmosphere and tight-knit social fabric. With agriculture being a significant part of the local economy, many residents are engaged in farming and related industries. Daily life often revolves around community events, local gatherings, and the shared enjoyment of rural Nebraska's serene lifestyle.

Transportation

Carleton is accessible via several highways, with Nebraska Highway 14 running nearby, providing important connections to surrounding towns. The nearest major airport is located in Hastings, approximately 40 miles to the northwest, facilitating air travel for residents. Public transport options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation.

History

Carleton was founded in the late 19th century, reflecting the westward expansion and settlement patterns in Nebraska. The area saw growth in farming as its key industry, which continues to be vital to the local economy today. Over the years, the town has maintained its agricultural roots while fostering community pride through various local events.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Carleton is that it has only one ZIP code, which is 68326. This simplicity in postal coding reflects the town's quaint size and close community structure.

ZIP codes for Carleton, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68326	Carleton	Thayer	View map

Demographics & statistics

328

Population

30.7

Median age

$77,500

Median household income

$29,211

Per capita income

$126,600

Median home value

Median monthly rent

86.1%

Home ownership

5.5%

Poverty rate

0.0%

Unemployment

119

Housing units

35.1%

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	105	32.0%
18 and over	223	68.0%
65 and over	41	12.5%
Median age	30.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.3%

Hispanic or Latino 2.4%

Two or more races 2.4%

Black or African American 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	317	94.3%
Hispanic or Latino	8	2.4%
Two or more races	8	2.4%
Black or African American	3	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 3.7%

$10k–$15k 2.8%

$15k–$25k 5.6%

$25k–$35k 4.6%

$35k–$50k 6.5%

$50k–$75k 11.1%

$75k–$100k 37.0%

$100k–$150k 13.9%

$150k–$200k 11.1%

$200k+ 3.7%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.7%
$10k–$15k	2.8%
$15k–$25k	5.6%
$25k–$35k	4.6%
$35k–$50k	6.5%
$50k–$75k	11.1%
$75k–$100k	37.0%
$100k–$150k	13.9%
$150k–$200k	11.1%
$200k+	3.7%
Median income	$77,500

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 10.8%

$50k–$100k 30.1%

$100k–$150k 17.2%

$150k–$200k 7.5%

$200k–$300k 8.6%

$300k–$500k 5.4%

$500k–$1M 18.3%

$1M+ 2.2%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$126,600
Median rent / month	$0
Owner occupied	86.1%
Renter occupied	13.9%
Vacant	19.4%
Single-family detached	100.0%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	7.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.92

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.0%
2000–2009	3.0%
1990–1999	1.5%
1980–1989	12.7%
1970–1979	18.7%
1960–1969	2.2%
1950–1959	4.5%
1940–1949	3.7%
1939 or earlier	50.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	0.0%
2 bedrooms	14.9%
3 bedrooms	54.5%
4 bedrooms	23.9%
5+ bedrooms	6.7%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	13.0%
2 vehicles	30.6%
3 or more	56.5%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	26.9%
Electricity	44.4%
Propane / LP gas	26.9%
Fuel oil	1.9%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	74	68.5%
Cohabiting couple	17	15.7%
Male householder, no spouse	15	13.9%
Female householder, no spouse	2	1.9%
Households with children under 18	41	38.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	29	26.9%
Average household size	3.04

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	27.0%	2.3%
Married	54.0%	89.8%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	2.9%	2.3%
Divorced	16.1%	5.7%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.0%

Some HS, no diploma 3.1%

HS graduate 34.6%

Some college, no degree 15.2%

Associate's degree 12.0%

Bachelor's degree 29.3%

Graduate / professional 5.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.9%
Bachelor's or higher	35.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	22	26.8%
Kindergarten	14	17.1%
Elementary school	44	53.7%
High school	2	2.4%
College / grad school	0	0.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 55.7%

Education & healthcare 18.8%

Retail trade 11.4%

Finance & real estate 5.7%

Professional & management 4.0%

Manufacturing 2.3%

Wholesale trade 1.1%

Other services 0.6%

Public administration 0.6%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	47.7%
Service	8.0%
Sales & office	1.1%
Natural resources & construction	20.5%
Production & transportation	22.7%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.1%
Government	3.4%
Self-employed	16.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	76.3%
Carpool	12.4%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.6%
Other means	6.5%
Avg commute (minutes)	19.9

Poverty

All people 5.5%

Under 18 years 9.5%

18 and over 3.6%

Married-couple families 1.4%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	23.1%
Retirement income	2.8%
Supplemental Security	1.9%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	4.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	38.1%
High cholesterol	36.1%
Heart disease	7.5%
Stroke	3.4%
Asthma	8.2%
Arthritis	29.4%
Kidney disease	3.1%
Pulmonary disease	7.0%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	19.0%
No physical activity	23.7%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.9%
Fair or poor health	12.5%
Poor mental health	10.9%
Poor physical health	9.8%
No health insurance	12.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	71.7%
Visited dentist	65.2%
Cholesterol screening	90.7%
Teeth loss	11.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	14	6.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	6.7%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	4.4%
65 and over	34.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	89.3%
Public insurance	14.6%
Uninsured under 19	10.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	298	90.9%
Spanish	0	0.0%
Other Indo-European	0	0.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	328	100.0%
Born in same state	328	100.0%
Born in different state	294	89.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	0	0.0%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	23	7%
Arab	16	4.9%
Italian	9	2.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
French	4	1.2%
English	3	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	32.9%
Internet access	93.5%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Carleton, NE have?

Carleton, NE has one ZIP code: 68326. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.