Chester ZIP Codes — Thayer County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Chester, Nebraska and it is 68327. Area code: 402.

ZIP codes

48.05

sq mi land

0.10

sq mi water

402

area code

Chester, NE ZIP code map

About Chester, NE

Chester is a charming city located in Thayer County, Nebraska. Known for its rural character, it embodies the heart of small-town America. The city provides a serene atmosphere that is ideal for those seeking a peaceful lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger urban areas.

Location & geography

Chester is situated in the southeastern part of Nebraska, providing a quiet rural backdrop surrounded by expansive farmland. It is approximately 25 miles southwest of Lincoln, 30 miles northeast of Hastings, and only 15 miles north of Belleville in Kansas, making it relatively accessible to neighboring communities. The land area of Chester spans 48.05 square miles, with a small water area of 0.10 square miles, contributing to its picturesque landscape.

Community & economy

The character of Chester is reflective of typical rural Nebraska life, centered around a close-knit community where neighbors know each other. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, shaping daily life and community events. Residents enjoy a slower pace of life, with opportunities for outdoor activities and local gatherings enhancing the town's inviting atmosphere.

Transportation

Chester is accessible via several local roads connecting to larger highways. U.S. Highway 81 lies to the west, offering routes for longer travels, while the nearest major airport is located in Hastings, Nebraska, approximately 30 miles to the northwest. Public transit options are limited in this rural area, making personal vehicles the primary means of transportation.

History

Chester was founded in the late 19th century and has a rich agricultural heritage that continues to be a defining aspect of the community. The city's development was primarily driven by farming and local industries that supported this sector. Over the years, Chester has maintained its small-town charm while adapting to economic changes and community needs.

Did you know?

A little-known fact about Chester is that it has only one ZIP code, 68327, which serves the entire city. This simplicity reflects the tight-knit nature of the community, where everyone feels connected.

ZIP codes for Chester, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68327	Chester	Thayer	View map

Demographics & statistics

341

Population

57.3

Median age

Median household income

$27,716

Per capita income

$80,000

Median home value

$835

Median monthly rent

86.4%

Home ownership

6.5%

Poverty rate

0.5%

Unemployment

173

Housing units

12.0%

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	56	16.4%
18 and over	285	83.6%
65 and over	63	18.5%
Median age	57.3 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.4%

Two or more races 2.6%

Hispanic or Latino 1.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.9%

Group	Count	%
White	329	95.4%
Two or more races	9	2.6%
Hispanic or Latino	4	1.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	3	0.9%

Household income

Under $10k 1.8%

$15k–$25k 43.2%

$25k–$35k 7.1%

$35k–$50k 4.1%

$50k–$75k 18.9%

$75k–$100k 9.5%

$100k–$150k 14.2%

$200k+ 1.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	1.8%
$15k–$25k	43.2%
$25k–$35k	7.1%
$35k–$50k	4.1%
$50k–$75k	18.9%
$75k–$100k	9.5%
$100k–$150k	14.2%
$200k+	1.2%
Median income	$0

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 31.5%

$50k–$100k 21.2%

$100k–$150k 37.0%

$150k–$200k 1.4%

$200k–$300k 4.1%

$300k–$500k 1.4%

$500k–$1M 3.4%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$80,000
Median rent / month	$835
Owner occupied	86.4%
Renter occupied	13.6%
Vacant	13.8%
Single-family detached	99.5%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	0.0%
Median rooms	5.8
Avg household size (owned)	1.95

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	0.0%
2000–2009	0.0%
1990–1999	7.7%
1980–1989	2.0%
1970–1979	26.5%
1960–1969	5.1%
1950–1959	12.8%
1940–1949	5.6%
1939 or earlier	40.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	26.0%
2 bedrooms	18.9%
3 bedrooms	34.7%
4 bedrooms	11.2%
5+ bedrooms	9.2%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	1.2%
1 vehicle	48.5%
2 vehicles	29.6%
3 or more	20.7%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	71.6%
Electricity	17.2%
Propane / LP gas	7.1%
Wood	1.8%
No fuel used	1.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	55	32.5%
Cohabiting couple	5	3.0%
Male householder, no spouse	75	44.4%
Female householder, no spouse	34	20.1%
Households with children under 18	22	13.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	54	32.0%
Average household size	2.02

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	14.3%	6.8%
Married	66.9%	42.9%
Separated	0.0%	18.0%
Widowed	0.0%	14.3%
Divorced	18.8%	18.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.7%

Some HS, no diploma 2.9%

HS graduate 20.1%

Some college, no degree 51.8%

Associate's degree 12.4%

Bachelor's degree 10.2%

Graduate / professional 1.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.4%
Bachelor's or higher	12.0%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	19	47.5%
Kindergarten	2	5.0%
Elementary school	13	32.5%
High school	2	5.0%
College / grad school	4	10.0%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 36.7%

Education & healthcare 14.8%

Arts, food & hospitality 12.9%

Construction 12.4%

Wholesale trade 7.1%

Transportation & utilities 4.3%

Public administration 3.3%

Finance & real estate 2.4%

Manufacturing 1.9%

Other services 1.9%

Retail trade 1.4%

Professional & management 1.0%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	20.5%
Service	21.9%
Sales & office	11.4%
Natural resources & construction	38.1%
Production & transportation	8.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	76.2%
Government	13.8%
Self-employed	10.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	90.0%
Carpool	5.7%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	2.9%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	10.4

Poverty

All people 6.5%

Under 18 years 5.4%

18 and over 6.7%

Married-couple families 9.1%

Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	24.3%
Retirement income	17.8%
Supplemental Security	13.6%
Cash public assistance	1.8%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	40.8%
High cholesterol	36.0%
Heart disease	8.6%
Stroke	3.8%
Asthma	8.1%
Arthritis	31.8%
Kidney disease	3.5%
Pulmonary disease	7.6%
Cancer	9.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.7%
No physical activity	25.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.4%
Fair or poor health	13.4%
Poor mental health	10.6%
Poor physical health	10.4%
No health insurance	12.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.5%
Visited dentist	64.7%
Cholesterol screening	91.3%
Teeth loss	12.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	16	5.6%

Disability	%
Any disability	16.4%
Under 18	0.0%
18–64 years	8.6%
65 and over	58.7%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	63.6%
Public insurance	25.8%
Uninsured under 19	7.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	318	93.3%
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)	339	99.4%
Born in same state	338	99.1%
Born in different state	221	64.8%
Foreign born	1	0.3%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.6%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	59	17.3%
French	59	17.3%
English	22	6.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	10	2.9%
Dutch	5	1.5%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	49.6%
Internet access	92.9%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Chester, NE have?

Chester, NE has one ZIP code: 68327. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.