Palmer ZIP Codes — Merrick County, NE

There is one unique ZIP code in Palmer, Nebraska and it is 68864. Area code: 308.

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

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	328	27.9%
18 and over	847	72.1%
65 and over	189	16.1%
Median age	37.8 years

Race & ethnicity

White 97.8%

Two or more races 1.7%

Asian 0.3%

Hispanic or Latino 0.2%

Group	Count	%
White	1,151	97.8%
Two or more races	20	1.7%
Asian	4	0.3%
Hispanic or Latino	2	0.2%

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 $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%
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

Metric	Value
Median home value	$129,400
Median rent / month	$913
Owner occupied	88.3%
Renter occupied	11.7%
Vacant	14.3%
Single-family detached	95.8%
Large apartment buildings	0.0%
Mobile homes	4.1%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.63

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	5.2%
2010–2019	11.0%
2000–2009	4.1%
1990–1999	2.7%
1980–1989	11.6%
1970–1979	9.5%
1960–1969	8.7%
1950–1959	5.6%
1940–1949	5.8%
1939 or earlier	35.9%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	0.0%
1 bedroom	5.2%
2 bedrooms	25.9%
3 bedrooms	40.0%
4 bedrooms	19.1%
5+ bedrooms	9.8%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	0.5%
1 vehicle	17.3%
2 vehicles	30.4%
3 or more	51.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	28.2%
Electricity	38.5%
Propane / LP gas	28.8%
Fuel oil	1.4%
Wood	3.2%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	292	65.8%
Cohabiting couple	18	4.1%
Male householder, no spouse	66	14.9%
Female householder, no spouse	68	15.3%
Households with children under 18	151	34.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	140	31.5%
Average household size	2.65

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	21.0%	24.7%
Married	65.5%	63.1%
Separated	1.6%	1.7%
Widowed	2.5%	4.6%
Divorced	9.4%	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 higher	97.3%
Bachelor's or higher	24.3%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	48	18.8%
Kindergarten	14	5.5%
Elementary school	71	27.8%
High school	61	23.9%
College / grad school	61	23.9%

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 & arts	46.3%
Service	8.5%
Sales & office	12.8%
Natural resources & construction	15.3%
Production & transportation	17.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	62.7%
Government	19.2%
Self-employed	18.0%
Unpaid family workers	0.2%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	80.1%
Carpool	11.0%
Public transit	0.0%
Walk	1.9%
Other means	1.0%
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 Security	30.4%
Retirement income	9.5%
Supplemental Security	1.4%
Cash public assistance	0.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	3.6%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	35.0%
High cholesterol	33.4%
Heart disease	7.1%
Stroke	3.2%
Asthma	8.2%
Arthritis	26.8%
Kidney disease	3.0%
Pulmonary disease	6.5%
Cancer	7.6%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	21.1%
No physical activity	22.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.4%
Fair or poor health	12.2%
Poor mental health	11.6%
Poor physical health	9.4%
No health insurance	13.5%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.3%
Visited dentist	67.9%
Cholesterol screening	88.3%
Teeth loss	11.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	52	6.1%

Disability	%
Any disability	8.7%
Under 18	1.5%
18–64 years	8.4%
65 and over	22.2%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	86.5%
Public insurance	25.2%
Uninsured under 19	1.1%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	1,022	87.0%
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)	1,173	99.8%
Born in same state	1,173	99.8%
Born in different state	1,064	90.6%
Foreign born	0	0.0%
Naturalized citizen	2	0.2%
Not a US citizen	0	0.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	135	11.5%
French	67	5.7%
Arab	32	2.7%
English	20	1.7%

Ancestry	Count	%
Dutch	14	1.2%
Polish	7	0.6%
Norwegian	3	0.3%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	37.8%
Internet access	94.8%

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.