Palmer ZIP Codes — Merrick County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Palmer, Nebraska and it is 68864. Area code: 308.
1
ZIP codes
174.95
sq mi land
1.95
sq mi water
308
area code
Palmer, NE ZIP code map

About Palmer, NE

Palmer is a charming city located in Merrick County, Nebraska. Known for its tight-knit community and small-town atmosphere, Palmer offers a serene environment to its residents. It boasts a blend of agricultural heritage and modern living, making it a unique place to visit or reside.

Location & geography

Palmer sits in central Nebraska and encompasses a total area of 174.95 square miles, with 1.95 square miles of that being water. It is approximately 24 miles southwest of the larger city of Grand Island and about 48 miles northwest of Lincoln. The terrain surrounding Palmer is characterized by rolling hills and open fields, typical of the Nebraska landscape, providing a picturesque setting for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The community of Palmer exudes a friendly and welcoming character, with residents often participating in local events and festivals. Agriculture plays a significant role in the local economy, alongside small businesses that cater to the needs of the community. Daily life in Palmer reflects the values of rural Nebraska, with an emphasis on family, hard work, and a strong sense of belonging.

Transportation

Palmer is accessible via Nebraska Highway 92, which connects it to nearby towns and cities. The nearest major airport is Central Nebraska Regional Airport, located approximately 22 miles east in Grand Island. Public transportation options are limited, so most residents rely on personal vehicles for commuting.

History

Palmer was founded in the late 19th century and has historically been rooted in agriculture and farming. Over the years, the city has developed a reputation for its vibrant community life and has seen gradual growth through local enterprises. Notable events include the annual community fair, which celebrates the town's agricultural heritage and brings residents together.

Did you know?

An interesting fact about Palmer is that it has a single ZIP code, 68864, serving the entire city. This compact ZIP code area reflects the close-knit nature of the community and its small population.

ZIP codes for Palmer, NE (1)
ZIP code City County Map
68864 Palmer Merrick View map

Demographics & statistics

1,175
Population
37.8
Median age
$72,917
Median household income
$31,860
Per capita income
$129,400
Median home value
$913
Median monthly rent
88.3%
Home ownership
2.8%
Poverty rate
0.2%
Unemployment
466
Housing units
24.3%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
73
Under 5
80
33
5–9
36
23
10–14
25
51
15–19
55
12
20–24
13
76
25–34
82
51
35–44
55
58
45–54
63
59
55–59
65
37
60–64
40
59
65–74
65
27
75–84
30
4
85+
4
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1832827.9%
18 and over84772.1%
65 and over18916.1%
Median age37.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.8%
Two or more races 1.7%
Asian 0.3%
Hispanic or Latino 0.2%
GroupCount%
White1,15197.8%
Two or more races201.7%
Asian40.3%
Hispanic or Latino20.2%

Household income

Under $10k 1.4%
$10k–$15k 0.9%
$15k–$25k 9.5%
$25k–$35k 10.1%
$35k–$50k 11.7%
$50k–$75k 19.8%
$75k–$100k 7.9%
$100k–$150k 29.3%
$150k–$200k 5.2%
$200k+ 4.3%
Range% of households
Under $10k1.4%
$10k–$15k0.9%
$15k–$25k9.5%
$25k–$35k10.1%
$35k–$50k11.7%
$50k–$75k19.8%
$75k–$100k7.9%
$100k–$150k29.3%
$150k–$200k5.2%
$200k+4.3%
Median income$72,917

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 21.2%
$50k–$100k 19.4%
$100k–$150k 13.0%
$150k–$200k 6.4%
$200k–$300k 13.0%
$300k–$500k 12.2%
$500k–$1M 12.2%
$1M+ 2.6%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$129,400
Median rent / month$913
Owner occupied88.3%
Renter occupied11.7%
Vacant14.3%
Single-family detached95.8%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes4.1%
Median rooms6.0
Avg household size (owned)2.63

Year built

Era%
2020 or later5.2%
2010–201911.0%
2000–20094.1%
1990–19992.7%
1980–198911.6%
1970–19799.5%
1960–19698.7%
1950–19595.6%
1940–19495.8%
1939 or earlier35.9%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.0%
1 bedroom5.2%
2 bedrooms25.9%
3 bedrooms40.0%
4 bedrooms19.1%
5+ bedrooms9.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle0.5%
1 vehicle17.3%
2 vehicles30.4%
3 or more51.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas28.2%
Electricity38.5%
Propane / LP gas28.8%
Fuel oil1.4%
Wood3.2%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family29265.8%
Cohabiting couple184.1%
Male householder, no spouse6614.9%
Female householder, no spouse6815.3%
Households with children under 1815134.0%
Households with seniors (65+)14031.5%
Average household size2.65

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married21.0%24.7%
Married65.5%63.1%
Separated1.6%1.7%
Widowed2.5%4.6%
Divorced9.4%5.9%

Education

Less than 9th grade 0.3%
Some HS, no diploma 2.5%
HS graduate 37.9%
Some college, no degree 20.3%
Associate's degree 14.8%
Bachelor's degree 18.8%
Graduate / professional 5.4%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher97.3%
Bachelor's or higher24.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool4818.8%
Kindergarten145.5%
Elementary school7127.8%
High school6123.9%
College / grad school6123.9%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 25.2%
Agriculture & mining 19.7%
Public administration 9.0%
Transportation & utilities 8.8%
Manufacturing 8.2%
Retail trade 7.5%
Construction 6.5%
Finance & real estate 5.2%
Other services 5.0%
Professional & management 3.2%
Information 0.8%
Arts, food & hospitality 0.7%
Wholesale trade 0.3%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts46.3%
Service8.5%
Sales & office12.8%
Natural resources & construction15.3%
Production & transportation17.0%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector62.7%
Government19.2%
Self-employed18.0%
Unpaid family workers0.2%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone80.1%
Carpool11.0%
Public transit0.0%
Walk1.9%
Other means1.0%
Avg commute (minutes)24.5

Poverty

All people 2.8%
Under 18 years 1.9%
18 and over 3.2%
Married-couple families 1.0%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security30.4%
Retirement income9.5%
Supplemental Security1.4%
Cash public assistance0.2%
Food stamps / SNAP3.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure35.0%
High cholesterol33.4%
Heart disease7.1%
Stroke3.2%
Asthma8.2%
Arthritis26.8%
Kidney disease3.0%
Pulmonary disease6.5%
Cancer7.6%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking21.1%
No physical activity22.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep27.4%
Fair or poor health12.2%
Poor mental health11.6%
Poor physical health9.4%
No health insurance13.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)70.3%
Visited dentist67.9%
Cholesterol screening88.3%
Teeth loss11.6%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans526.1%
Disability%
Any disability8.7%
Under 181.5%
18–64 years8.4%
65 and over22.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance86.5%
Public insurance25.2%
Uninsured under 191.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,02287.0%
Spanish00.0%
Other Indo-European00.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,17399.8%
Born in same state1,17399.8%
Born in different state1,06490.6%
Foreign born00.0%
Naturalized citizen20.2%
Not a US citizen00.0%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
Italian13511.5%
French675.7%
Arab322.7%
English201.7%
AncestryCount%
Dutch141.2%
Polish70.6%
Norwegian30.3%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access37.8%
Internet access94.8%

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

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Palmer, NE have?
Palmer, NE has one ZIP code: 68864. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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