Elm Creek ZIP Codes — Buffalo County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Elm Creek, Nebraska and it is 68836. Area code: 308.

ZIP codes

146.75

sq mi land

2.91

sq mi water

308

area code

Elm Creek, NE ZIP code map

About Elm Creek, NE

Elm Creek, located in Nebraska, is a charming city that showcases the essence of small-town America. As a part of Buffalo County, it offers a welcoming community atmosphere to residents and visitors alike. This quaint city, with a single ZIP code of 68836, is known for its agricultural roots and friendly citizens.

Location & geography

Elm Creek is situated in south-central Nebraska, approximately 10 miles east of the larger city of Kearney and 30 miles west of Grand Island. The area encompasses a total land area of 146.75 square miles, with an additional 2.91 square miles designated as water. The surrounding terrain features both rolling plains and agricultural fields, making it a picturesque rural setting.

Community & economy

Elm Creek is characterized by its tight-knit community, where residents often come together for local events and social gatherings. The city’s economy is primarily driven by agriculture, as well as small businesses that cater to the needs of the local population. Daily life in Elm Creek is marked by a strong sense of tradition and neighborly support, fostering an environment where families can thrive.

Transportation

Transportation in Elm Creek is facilitated by the nearby Interstate 80, which provides convenient access to neighboring cities and states. The city is serviced by the 308 area code, covering the region around Buffalo County. The nearest major airport is Kearney Regional Airport, located about 10 miles away for those seeking air travel options.

History

Elm Creek was established in the late 19th century, with its roots deeply embedded in the agricultural industries that define the region. Throughout the years, local events have played a significant role in shaping community identity, with various festivals and fairs celebrating the city's heritage. Elm Creek continues to honor its history while adapting to modern developments.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Elm Creek is that it hosts the annual Elm Creek Community Day, which features a parade, carnival games, and local vendors. This event highlights the town's commitment to preserving community spirit and celebrates its agricultural heritage.

ZIP codes for Elm Creek, NE (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68836	Elm Creek	Buffalo	View map

Demographics & statistics

1,822

Population

31.1

Median age

$74,091

Median household income

$32,556

Per capita income

$200,900

Median home value

$802

Median monthly rent

74.6%

Home ownership

6.9%

Poverty rate

1.5%

Unemployment

588

Housing units

27.1%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

Under 5

5–9

100

10–14

15–19

20–24

140

25–34

168

35–44

116

45–54

55–59

60–64

65–74

75–84

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	513	28.2%
18 and over	1,309	71.8%
65 and over	208	11.4%
Median age	31.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 95.7%

Two or more races 1.1%

Hispanic or Latino 1%

Asian 1%

Other race 0.9%

Black or African American 0.2%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	1,762	95.7%
Two or more races	21	1.1%
Hispanic or Latino	19	1%
Asian	19	1%
Other race	16	0.9%
Black or African American	3	0.2%
American Indian / Alaska Native	1	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 3.5%

$10k–$15k 2.7%

$15k–$25k 2.5%

$25k–$35k 7.4%

$35k–$50k 16.4%

$50k–$75k 18.7%

$75k–$100k 21.7%

$100k–$150k 16.5%

$150k–$200k 5.5%

$200k+ 5.2%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	3.5%
$10k–$15k	2.7%
$15k–$25k	2.5%
$25k–$35k	7.4%
$35k–$50k	16.4%
$50k–$75k	18.7%
$75k–$100k	21.7%
$100k–$150k	16.5%
$150k–$200k	5.5%
$200k+	5.2%
Median income	$74,091

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 5.5%

$50k–$100k 9.5%

$100k–$150k 20.2%

$150k–$200k 14.4%

$200k–$300k 30.8%

$300k–$500k 16.0%

$500k–$1M 2.6%

$1M+ 1.0%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$200,900
Median rent / month	$802
Owner occupied	74.6%
Renter occupied	25.4%
Vacant	10.8%
Single-family detached	79.9%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	11.7%
Median rooms	6.4
Avg household size (owned)	2.92

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	5.3%
2000–2009	6.8%
1990–1999	18.7%
1980–1989	11.6%
1970–1979	17.9%
1960–1969	5.1%
1950–1959	9.5%
1940–1949	5.4%
1939 or earlier	19.3%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.3%
1 bedroom	5.8%
2 bedrooms	24.7%
3 bedrooms	43.4%
4 bedrooms	19.7%
5+ bedrooms	6.1%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.6%
1 vehicle	22.7%
2 vehicles	32.7%
3 or more	44.0%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	45.3%
Electricity	40.3%
Propane / LP gas	12.5%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	347	51.2%
Cohabiting couple	62	9.1%
Male householder, no spouse	86	12.7%
Female householder, no spouse	183	27.0%
Households with children under 18	253	37.3%
Households with seniors (65+)	149	22.0%
Average household size	2.69

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	29.3%	23.8%
Married	59.1%	52.4%
Separated	1.4%	1.7%
Widowed	0.5%	7.1%
Divorced	9.7%	14.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.1%

Some HS, no diploma 2.3%

HS graduate 30.1%

Some college, no degree 26.8%

Associate's degree 12.6%

Bachelor's degree 23.3%

Graduate / professional 3.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	96.6%
Bachelor's or higher	27.1%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	60	11.5%
Kindergarten	23	4.4%
Elementary school	238	45.4%
High school	99	18.9%
College / grad school	104	19.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 19.2%

Manufacturing 13.9%

Transportation & utilities 11.3%

Agriculture & mining 10.8%

Retail trade 10.3%

Construction 7.9%

Professional & management 6.3%

Arts, food & hospitality 5.3%

Wholesale trade 4.1%

Other services 3.6%

Public administration 3.6%

Finance & real estate 3.4%

Information 0.4%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	33.7%
Service	11.7%
Sales & office	20.5%
Natural resources & construction	16.1%
Production & transportation	18.1%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	79.6%
Government	9.8%
Self-employed	10.6%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	84.9%
Carpool	7.5%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	3.5%
Other means	0.4%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.5

Poverty

All people 6.9%

Under 18 years 4.5%

18 and over 7.8%

Married-couple families 0.6%

Female-led households 9.9%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	20.8%
Retirement income	12.7%
Supplemental Security	6.8%
Cash public assistance	1.6%
Food stamps / SNAP	12.7%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	29.2%
High cholesterol	31.0%
Heart disease	5.5%
Stroke	2.5%
Asthma	8.3%
Arthritis	23.4%
Kidney disease	2.4%
Pulmonary disease	5.2%
Cancer	6.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	22.6%
No physical activity	19.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	26.9%
Fair or poor health	9.9%
Poor mental health	11.1%
Poor physical health	7.9%
No health insurance	12.2%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.5%
Visited dentist	70.3%
Cholesterol screening	87.9%
Teeth loss	10.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	71	5.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.6%
Under 18	1.0%
18–64 years	8.4%
65 and over	27.9%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	81.0%
Public insurance	24.4%
Uninsured under 19	3.7%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,662	91.2%
Spanish	11	0.7%
Other Indo-European	11	0.7%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	0	0.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	1,816	99.7%
Born in same state	1,809	99.3%
Born in different state	1,513	83.0%
Foreign born	7	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	6	0.3%
Not a US citizen	6	100.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	293	16.1%
French	246	13.5%
Arab	106	5.8%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	90	4.9%
English	47	2.6%
Dutch	16	0.9%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.2%
Internet access	92.8%

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

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Elm Creek, NE have?

Elm Creek, NE has one ZIP code: 68836. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.