Elba ZIP Codes — Howard County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Elba, Nebraska and it is 68835. Area code: 308.

ZIP codes

97.41

sq mi land

1.09

sq mi water

308

area code

Elba, NE ZIP code map

About Elba, NE

Elba is a small but charming village located in Howard County, Nebraska. Known for its close-knit community and rural charm, Elba offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of urban life. With a ZIP code of 68835, this quaint area provides a glimpse into the serene and friendly atmosphere that defines much of Nebraska's smaller towns.

Location & geography

Nestled in the heart of Nebraska, Elba is surrounded by picturesque landscapes and open fields. Nearby cities include St. Paul, located approximately 10 miles to the northeast, Loup City about 12 miles to the northwest, and Ord situated around 14 miles to the southwest. The total land area of Elba is 97.41 square miles, with 1.09 square miles of it covered by water, contributing to the area's diverse terrain.

Community & economy

Elba boasts a strong sense of community that is evident in its friendly residents and local events. The village thrives on agriculture, with many local families involved in farming as a primary industry. Daily life in Elba is characterized by a slower pace, where neighbors know each other and community gatherings are a regular occurrence.

Transportation

Elba is accessible via Nebraska Highway 92, which connects the village to larger road networks in the region. The nearest major airport is in Grand Island, approximately 30 miles to the south, providing additional travel options for residents and visitors. Public transit options are limited but typical for small rural communities.

History

Elba was founded in the late 19th century and has remained a small village throughout its history, primarily driven by agriculture and localized industries. As a part of Howard County, it has seen development and growth in tandem with nearby agricultural advancements. Notably, the village has held various local events that celebrate its heritage and community spirit.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Elba is that despite its small size, the village plays host to community events that attract visitors from surrounding areas. Additionally, Elba is not far from the remarkable Nebraska Sandhills, known for their unique landscape and natural beauty.

ZIP codes for Elba, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68835	Elba	Howard	View map

Demographics & statistics

554

Population

45.1

Median age

$54,375

Median household income

$30,102

Per capita income

$125,800

Median home value

$663

Median monthly rent

72.4%

Home ownership

11.0%

Poverty rate

7.7%

Unemployment

237

Housing units

17.2%

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	107	19.3%
18 and over	447	80.7%
65 and over	130	23.5%
Median age	45.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 92.9%

Hispanic or Latino 2.3%

Other race 2.3%

Two or more races 2.1%

Black or African American 0.4%

Group	Count	%
White	527	92.9%
Hispanic or Latino	13	2.3%
Other race	13	2.3%
Two or more races	12	2.1%
Black or African American	2	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 3.3%

$10k–$15k 2.1%

$15k–$25k 15.6%

$25k–$35k 13.2%

$35k–$50k 12.8%

$50k–$75k 25.5%

$75k–$100k 13.6%

$100k–$150k 12.8%

$200k+ 1.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.3%
$10k–$15k	2.1%
$15k–$25k	15.6%
$25k–$35k	13.2%
$35k–$50k	12.8%
$50k–$75k	25.5%
$75k–$100k	13.6%
$100k–$150k	12.8%
$200k+	1.2%
Median income	$54,375

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 25.6%

$50k–$100k 17.0%

$100k–$150k 23.9%

$150k–$200k 6.3%

$200k–$300k 13.1%

$300k–$500k 8.5%

$500k–$1M 4.0%

$1M+ 1.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$125,800
Median rent / month	$663
Owner occupied	72.4%
Renter occupied	27.6%
Vacant	20.1%
Single-family detached	82.2%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	9.9%
Median rooms	6.5
Avg household size (owned)	2.41

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	6.9%
2000–2009	5.3%
1990–1999	21.4%
1980–1989	2.6%
1970–1979	18.8%
1960–1969	5.3%
1950–1959	3.3%
1940–1949	9.2%
1939 or earlier	27.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	3.3%
1 bedroom	6.3%
2 bedrooms	25.7%
3 bedrooms	40.1%
4 bedrooms	18.8%
5+ bedrooms	5.9%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.0%
1 vehicle	19.8%
2 vehicles	40.3%
3 or more	39.9%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	5.3%
Electricity	35.4%
Propane / LP gas	43.6%
Fuel oil	0.4%
Wood	12.3%
No fuel used	0.8%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	108	44.4%
Cohabiting couple	6	2.5%
Male householder, no spouse	75	30.9%
Female householder, no spouse	54	22.2%
Households with children under 18	72	29.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	99	40.7%
Average household size	2.28

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	25.0%	15.8%
Married	48.9%	57.5%
Separated	0.0%	0.0%
Widowed	8.7%	7.2%
Divorced	17.4%	19.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.1%

Some HS, no diploma 4.0%

HS graduate 35.6%

Some college, no degree 24.8%

Associate's degree 15.3%

Bachelor's degree 14.6%

Graduate / professional 2.6%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.9%
Bachelor's or higher	17.2%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	4	3.7%
Kindergarten	9	8.4%
Elementary school	34	31.8%
High school	52	48.6%
College / grad school	8	7.5%

Employment

Industry of employment

Agriculture & mining 36.7%

Education & healthcare 19.0%

Finance & real estate 9.0%

Manufacturing 8.7%

Construction 8.4%

Retail trade 7.7%

Transportation & utilities 4.8%

Public administration 2.9%

Arts, food & hospitality 1.3%

Professional & management 0.6%

Other services 0.6%

Information 0.3%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	36.3%
Service	15.1%
Sales & office	14.5%
Natural resources & construction	19.6%
Production & transportation	14.5%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	58.2%
Government	16.7%
Self-employed	25.1%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.5%
Carpool	3.9%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	6.1%
Other means	0.0%
Avg commute (minutes)	20.9

Poverty

All people 11.0%

Under 18 years 7.0%

18 and over 11.9%

Married-couple families 9.3%

Female-led households 16.7%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.3%
Retirement income	18.1%
Supplemental Security	0.8%
Cash public assistance	0.0%
Food stamps / SNAP	11.5%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	34.8%
High cholesterol	33.3%
Heart disease	6.5%
Stroke	2.9%
Asthma	8.1%
Arthritis	26.2%
Kidney disease	2.7%
Pulmonary disease	6.0%
Cancer	7.2%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	22.4%
No physical activity	21.2%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	30.2%
Fair or poor health	11.5%
Poor mental health	11.3%
Poor physical health	9.0%
No health insurance	12.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.7%
Visited dentist	66.6%
Cholesterol screening	88.1%
Teeth loss	11.7%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	46	10.3%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.2%
Under 18	1.9%
18–64 years	9.5%
65 and over	31.5%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	79.4%
Public insurance	27.4%
Uninsured under 19	3.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	534	96.4%
Spanish	9	1.7%
Other Indo-European	1	0.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	8	1.5%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	549	99.1%
Born in same state	549	99.1%
Born in different state	509	91.9%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	5	0.9%
Not a US citizen	5	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	55	9.9%
Italian	51	9.2%
French	50	9%

Ancestry	Count	%
Arab	36	6.5%
English	26	4.7%
Polish	1	0.2%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	43.9%
Internet access	85.2%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elba, NE have?

Elba, NE has one ZIP code: 68835. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.