Buffalo County, Nebraska

Buffalo County, Nebraska
County
The Buffalo County Courthouse in Kearney
Buffalo County, Nebraska
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 40°51′19″N 99°04′30″W / 40.855265°N 99.074984°W / 40.855265; -99.074984
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedMarch 16, 1855 (created)
October 1, 1870 (organized)
Named afterAmerican bison
SeatKearney
Largest cityKearney
Area
 • Total
975.399 sq mi (2,526.27 km2)
 • Land968.246 sq mi (2,507.75 km2)
 • Water7.153 sq mi (18.53 km2)  0.73%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
50,084
 • Estimate 
(2024)
51,156
 • Density51.727/sq mi (19.972/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code308
Congressional district3rd
Websitebuffalocounty.ne.gov
• Nebraska county number 10[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 09[2]

Buffalo County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 50,084,[3] and was estimated to be 51,156 in 2024,[4] making it the fifth-most populous county in Nebraska. The county seat and the largest city is Kearney.[5]

Buffalo County is part of the Kearney micropolitan area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Buffalo County was represented by the prefix "9" (as it had the ninth-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Buffalo County was created on March 16, 1855 and organized on October 1, 1870.[6][7] It was named after the once-prevalent bison herds of the Great Plains.[8]

The Union Pacific Railroad came to the area in 1866;[9] with additional settlers, the need to establish government was realized. Patrick Walsh, Martin Slattery, and a Sergeant Cody petitioned the governor to organize Buffalo County in 1869.[9] Wood River Centre (Shelton) was selected through election as county seat. Within a year, the seat was moved to Gibbon.[10] In 1874, voters selected Kearney as the seat.[11]

During the late 19th century and early 20th century, the Watson Ranch, existed in the county. The 8,000 acre ranch extended from the Platte River Valley on the south, to Nebraska's rolling hills on the north, to a point five miles west of downtown Kearney.[12][13]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 975.399 square miles (2,526.27 km2), of which 968.246 square miles (2,507.75 km2) is land and 7.153 square miles (18.53 km2) (0.73%) is water.[14] It is the 18th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[15]

Major highways

Transit

Protected area

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860114—
187019369.3%
18807,5313,802.1%
189022,162194.3%
190020,254−8.6%
191021,9078.2%
192023,7878.6%
193024,3382.3%
194023,655−2.8%
195025,1346.3%
196026,2364.4%
197031,22219.0%
198034,79711.5%
199037,4477.6%
200042,25912.9%
201046,1029.1%
202050,0848.6%
2024 (est.)51,156[16]2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790–1960[18] 1900–1990[19]
1990–2000[20] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Buffalo County was $264,186.[21]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 19,984 estimated households in Buffalo County with an average of 2.42 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $75,911. Approximately 9.9% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Buffalo County has an estimated 68.7% employment rate, with 34.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.8% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 21,286 housing units at an average density of 21.98 per square mile (8.5/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (91.2%), Spanish (6.1%), Indo-European (1.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (1.5%), and Other (0.1%).

The median age in the county was 35.1 years.

Buffalo County, Nebraska – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[22] Pop. 1990[23] Pop. 2000[24] Pop. 2010[25] Pop. 2020[26]
White alone (NH) 33,745
(96.98%)		 35,992
(96.11%)		 39,313
(93.03%)		 41,128
(89.21%)		 42,108
(84.07%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 51
(0.15%)		 161
(0.43%)		 229
(0.54%)		 354
(0.77%)		 600
(1.20%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 70
(0.20%)		 101
(0.27%)		 120
(0.28%)		 101
(0.22%)		 149
(0.30%)
Asian alone (NH) 104
(0.30%)		 156
(0.42%)		 288
(0.68%)		 587
(1.27%)		 660
(1.32%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 7
(0.02%)		 4
(0.01%)		 33
(0.07%)
Other race alone (NH) 37
(0.11%)		 14
(0.04%)		 34
(0.08%)		 50
(0.11%)		 94
(0.19%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 298
(0.71%)		 446
(0.97%)		 1,378
(2.75%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 790
(2.27%)		 1,023
(2.73%)		 1,970
(4.66%)		 3,432
(7.44%)		 5,062
(10.11%)
Total 34,797
(100.00%)		 37,447
(100.00%)		 42,259
(100.00%)		 46,102
(100.00%)		 50,084
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 51,156 people, 19,984 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 968.25 inhabitants per square mile (373.8/km2). There were 21,286 housing units at an average density of 21.98 per square mile (8.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% White (84.2% NH White), 1.2% African American, 0.8% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.2% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 50,084 people, 19,590 households, and 12,196 families residing in the county.[27] The population density was 51.73 inhabitants per square mile (20.0/km2). There were 20,947 housing units at an average density of 21.63 per square mile (8.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.58% White, 1.28% African American, 0.55% Native American, 1.34% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 4.34% from some other races and 5.84% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.11% of the population.[28]

The median age was 34.6 years. 24.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.7 males age 18 and over.[29]

68.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 31.1% lived in rural areas.[30]

There were 19,590 households in the county, of which 30.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 20,947 housing units, of which 6.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 63.0% were owner-occupied and 37.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.3%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 46,102 people, 18,037 households, and 11,425 families residing in the county.[31] The population density was 47.61 inhabitants per square mile (18.4/km2). There were 19,064 housing units at an average density of 19.69 per square mile (7.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.72% White, 0.83% African American, 0.28% Native American, 1.29% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 3.50% from some other races and 1.35% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.44% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 42,259 people, 15,930 households, and 10,227 families residing in the county. The population density was 43.64 inhabitants per square mile (16.8/km2). There were 16,830 housing units at an average density of 17.38 per square mile (6.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.18% White, 0.55% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.68% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 2.20% from some other races and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.66% of the population. 42.5% were of German, 8.1% Irish, 7.8% English, 6.8% American and 5.3% Swedish ancestry.

There were 15,930 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.90% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.80% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contained 25.00% under the age of 18, 17.80% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 19.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,782, and the median income for a family was $46,247. Males had a median income of $30,182 versus $21,977 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,510. About 6.30% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Politics

Buffalo County voters have been strongly Republican for decades. Only seven Democratic Party presidential candidates have won the county from 1880 to the present day, the most recent of which being Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Political Party Number of registered voters (March 1, 2026)[32] Percent
Republican 19,290 62.24%
Independent 5,823 18.79%
Democratic 5,195 16.76%
Libertarian 491 1.58%
Legal Marijuana Now 195 0.63%
Total 30,994 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Buffalo County, Nebraska[33]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1900 1,916 46.45% 2,056 49.84% 153 3.71%
1904 2,554 62.07% 731 17.76% 830 20.17%
1908 2,526 48.60% 2,520 48.49% 151 2.91%
1912 1,081 22.93% 2,061 43.72% 1,572 33.35%
1916 2,216 41.79% 2,877 54.25% 210 3.96%
1920 4,954 65.56% 2,258 29.88% 345 4.57%
1924 4,746 54.11% 2,337 26.64% 1,688 19.25%
1928 7,460 72.22% 2,801 27.12% 68 0.66%
1932 3,773 38.02% 5,872 59.18% 278 2.80%
1936 4,595 41.88% 6,002 54.70% 375 3.42%
1940 6,387 61.14% 4,060 38.86% 0 0.00%
1944 6,073 61.19% 3,852 38.81% 0 0.00%
1948 4,862 56.68% 3,716 43.32% 0 0.00%
1952 8,467 77.20% 2,501 22.80% 0 0.00%
1956 7,342 70.31% 3,100 29.69% 0 0.00%
1960 7,595 66.12% 3,891 33.88% 0 0.00%
1964 5,425 49.95% 5,436 50.05% 0 0.00%
1968 6,786 65.29% 2,875 27.66% 733 7.05%
1972 8,587 74.19% 2,988 25.81% 0 0.00%
1976 8,095 63.36% 4,308 33.72% 374 2.93%
1980 9,769 68.59% 3,167 22.24% 1,307 9.18%
1984 11,365 78.11% 3,086 21.21% 99 0.68%
1988 9,981 67.31% 4,702 31.71% 145 0.98%
1992 9,726 55.11% 3,747 21.23% 4,176 23.66%
1996 10,004 63.09% 4,277 26.97% 1,575 9.93%
2000 11,931 72.48% 3,927 23.86% 603 3.66%
2004 14,222 76.43% 4,100 22.03% 286 1.54%
2008 13,097 67.88% 5,867 30.41% 329 1.71%
2012 13,570 69.76% 5,365 27.58% 518 2.66%
2016 14,569 68.95% 4,763 22.54% 1,797 8.50%
2020 16,640 70.18% 6,350 26.78% 721 3.04%
2024 17,064 71.47% 6,386 26.75% 427 1.79%

Education

School districts include:[34]

  • Amherst Public Schools #119, Amherst
  • Ansley Public Schools #44, Ansley
  • Centura Public Schools #100, Cairo
  • Elm Creek Public Schools #9, Elm Creek
  • Gibbon Public Schools #2, Gibbon
  • Kearney Public Schools #7, Kearney
  • Pleasanton Public Schools #105, Pleasanton
  • Ravenna Public Schools #69, Ravenna
  • Shelton Public Schools #19, Shelton
  • Sumner-Eddyville-Miller Schools #101, Sumner

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Buffalo County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  7. ^ "Buffalo County Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. August 1, 1993. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  8. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. (1960). Nebraska Place-Names. University of Nebraska Press. p. 24. ISBN 0803250606. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  9. ^ a b Bassett, Samuel Clay (1916). Buffalo County, Nebraska, and its people: a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. 1. Chicago, Illinois: S. J. Clarke Pub. Co. pp. 145–161. OCLC 3358457.
  10. ^ Duncan, Douglas. "Shelton - Buffalo County". Virtual Nebraska. Consortium for the Application of Space Data to Education (CASDE). Retrieved November 9, 2012.
  11. ^ Bowman, J. R. (1882). Shearer, Frederick E. (ed.). The Pacific tourist. J.R. Bowman's illustrated transcontinental guide of travel from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. New York: J.R. Bowman. p. 33. OCLC 752667534. Retrieved May 13, 2018.
  12. ^ Holmgren, Philip S. (October 1979). "The Watson Ranch - Part I". Buffalo County Historical Society. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  13. ^ "Watson, H. D., and the Watson Ranch". History Nebraska. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  14. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Buffalo County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  16. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  17. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  19. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  21. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  22. ^ "Buffalo County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  23. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  24. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Buffalo County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  25. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Buffalo County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  26. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Buffalo County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  27. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  28. ^ "How many people live in Buffalo County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  29. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  30. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  31. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 266 of 385. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  32. ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  33. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 4, 2026.
  34. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Buffalo County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2026. - Text list
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.