3-digit ZIP regional index
Home appreciation in ZIP codes 686xxColumbus, NE area
FHFA HPI® data shows the regional home price index for ZIP codes beginning with 686 changed +3.4% over the year to Q2 2026, compared with +3.2% for Nebraska and +3.0% for the United States.
The region covers ZIP codes 68601–68669. Most of its 2010 population lived in Platte County (44%), Colfax County (14%), Butler County (10%). Communities in the region include Schuyler, David City, Albion, Fullerton, North Bend. This is a regional index, not a ZIP5, street, or individual-home estimate.
- 1-year change
- +3.4%
- 5-year change
- +45.6%
- Since Q1 1995
- +266%
- National rank (1 year)
- 489th
Year to Q2 2026
vs U.S. +41.3%
vs U.S. +292%
of 882 ZIP3 regions
ZIP3 686 vs Nebraska and the U.S.
FHFA HPI® all-transactions index, rebased so Q1 1995 = 100, through Q2 2026
- ZIP3 686: 366.1
- Nebraska: 349.5
- United States: 391.6
Want a different starting year? Rebase this chart or compare with another ZIP3.
Appreciation by time window
| Window | ZIP3 686 | NE | U.S. | Gap vs NE | Gap vs U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.4% | +3.2% | +3.0% | +0.2 pts | +0.3 pts |
| 3 years | +17.2% | +12.7% | +12.9% | +4.6 pts | +4.4 pts |
| 5 years | +45.6% | +41.1% | +41.3% | +4.5 pts | +4.4 pts |
| 10 years | +86.2% | +91.4% | +93.3% | −5.2 pts | −7.1 pts |
| Since Q1 1995 | +266% | +249% | +292% | +16.7 pts | −25.4 pts |
If you bought in ZIP3 686 in…
Applying the regional index change from the same quarter of each year to Q2 2026 to an example $300,000 purchase price. Individual homes can differ widely from the regional average.
| Bought in | Index change | $300,000 then, at the regional rate |
|---|---|---|
| Q2 1995 | +255% | $1,063,816 |
| Q2 2000 | +196% | $887,660 |
| Q2 2005 | +148% | $742,507 |
| Q2 2010 | +127% | $681,595 |
| Q2 2015 | +93.2% | $579,717 |
| Q2 2020 | +59.4% | $478,081 |
| Q2 2021 | +45.6% | $436,909 |
| Q2 2023 | +17.2% | $351,687 |
| Q2 2025 | +3.4% | $310,069 |
How ZIP3 686 ranks
Over the past year ZIP3 686 ranks 489th of 882 3-digit ZIP regions nationally and 5th of 13 in Nebraska. Its one-year change is +0.3 pts versus the nation and +0.2 pts versus Nebraska. Rank 1 is the strongest appreciation.
| Window | National rank | Rank in Nebraska |
|---|---|---|
| 1 year | 489th of 882 | 5th of 13 |
| 3 years | 327th of 882 | 2nd of 13 |
| 5 years | 396th of 882 | 2nd of 13 |
| 10 years | 526th of 882 | 6th of 13 |
| Since Q1 1995 | 419th of 879 | 2nd of 13 |
Boom, bust, and recovery in ZIP3 686
ZIP3 686's index peaked in Q4 2009, fell 1.3% to its low in Q1 2010, and regained its peak in Q3 2010, about 0.8 years after the top. Today it sits +125% versus that 2000s peak. How every state and ZIP region fared
| Area | 2000s peak | Low point | Peak to low | Back to peak | Today vs peak |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ZIP3 686 | Q4 2009 | Q1 2010 | -1.3% | Q3 2010 (0.8 yrs) | +125% |
| NE | Q1 2008 | Q2 2011 | -2.9% | Q1 2013 (5 yrs) | +117% |
| U.S. | Q1 2007 | Q2 2012 | -19.0% | Q4 2016 (9.8 yrs) | +89.3% |
Appreciation after inflation
Adjusting for consumer price inflation, ZIP3 686's index has changed +65.4% in real terms since Q1 1995. Home prices vs inflation
| Window | Inflation (CPI-U) | ZIP3 686 after inflation | NE after inflation | U.S. after inflation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 year | +3.9% | -0.5% | -0.6% | -0.8% |
| 3 years | +9.8% | +6.8% | +2.6% | +2.8% |
| 5 years | +24.0% | +17.4% | +13.8% | +13.9% |
| 10 years | +39.1% | +33.9% | +37.6% | +39.0% |
| Since Q1 1995 | +121% | +65.4% | +57.8% | +76.8% |
Estimate appreciation for a home in ZIP3 686
Regional estimate
$558,721
- Estimated gain
- $258,721
- Index change
- +86.24%
- Start index
- 196.59
- End index
- 366.13
ZIP3 686 (Columbus, NE area), Q2 2016 to Q2 2026. Index type: Balance of State.
Nearby 3-digit ZIP regions
| 3-digit ZIP region | State | 1 year | 5 years | Since Q1 1995 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 687 · Norfolk, NE area | NE | +3.9% | +40.4% | +262% |
| 685 · Lincoln, NE area | NE | +2.0% | +38.9% | +237% |
| 680 · Fremont, NE area | NE | +3.6% | +41.9% | +249% |
| 684 · York, NE area | NE | +2.1% | +39.3% | +239% |
| 681 · Omaha, NE area | NE | +3.8% | +38.2% | +243% |
| 688 · Grand Island, NE area | NE | +2.6% | +45.1% | +266% |
Recent quarterly index values
| Period | Index |
|---|---|
| Q2 2026 | 366.13 |
| Q1 2026 | 361.47 |
| Q4 2025 | 359.18 |
| Q3 2025 | 355.35 |
| Q2 2025 | 354.24 |
| Q1 2025 | 345.54 |
| Q4 2024 | 343.97 |
| Q3 2024 | 338.26 |
| Q2 2024 | 337.53 |
| Q1 2024 | 329.98 |
| Q4 2023 | 318.02 |
| Q3 2023 | 316.51 |
Frequently asked questions
- How much have home prices risen in ZIP codes starting with 686?
- Based on FHFA HPI® data for 3-digit ZIP region 686, the regional index changed +3.4% over the year to Q2 2026, +45.6% over five years, +86.2% over ten years, and +266% since Q1 1995.
- Is ZIP3 686 appreciating faster than Nebraska and the U.S.?
- Over the past year the region's index +3.4% compares with +3.2% for Nebraska and +3.0% for the U.S., a gap of +0.3 pts versus the nation. Over five years the gap versus the nation is +4.4 pts.
- Which ZIP codes are in 3-digit ZIP region 686?
- All ZIP codes that begin with 686. Census 2010 ZIP Code Tabulation Areas in this region run from 68601 to 68669 (42 areas). FHFA publishes one index for the whole 3-digit region, not for each 5-digit ZIP code.
- Can I use this to value my home?
- No. The FHFA HPI® is a broad regional index of average price movement. It is not an appraisal, tax assessment, or automated valuation of any individual property. Use it as general context alongside local sales and a professional opinion.