County · Nebraska
Buffalo County, Nebraska
Buffalo County, Nebraska. Buffalo County had 51,172 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.2% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). It holds 12 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs and 3 census-designated) and 11 census tracts. GEOID 31019.
Buffalo County is one of the 2 counties of the Kearney, NE micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
51,172
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 50,084 · ACS 2020-2024: 50,579
Median household income
$75,911
±$3,710 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $76,475
Median home value
$246,400
±$7,017 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $238,600
Median gross rent
$936
±$28 (90% margin)
Nebraska: $1,072
How many people live in Buffalo County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 50,084 residents in Buffalo County. The Census Bureau estimates 51,172 for July 1, 2025, up 2.2% since 2020, slower than Nebraska (+2.9%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 50,579 over 968 square miles of land.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 50,579 | 1,978,707 | +1,370 |
| Households | 19,984±267 | 797,847 | +922 |
| Average household size | 2.42±0.03 | 2.42 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 21,286±74 | 863,444 | +804 |
Buffalo County's population since 2000
From 42,259 in 2000 to 51,172 in 2025: up 21.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Buffalo County?
Buffalo County holds 12 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 3 census-designated places. The largest is Kearney with 34,782 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Kearney | 33,790 | $69,724 |
|---|---|---|
| Gibbon | 1,878 | $70,069 |
| Ravenna | 1,441 | $64,423 |
| Shelton | 1,034 | $81,278 |
| Elm Creek | 979 | $79,148 |
| GlenwoodGEOID 3119160 | 503 | $143,098 |
| Pleasanton | 361 | $73,750 |
| RiverdaleGEOID 3141515 | 247 | $85,227 |
| AmherstGEOID 3101290 | 201 | $69,125 |
| OdessaGEOID 3135770 | 132 | $39,792 |
| MillerGEOID 3132130 | 129 | $90,500 |
| PooleGEOID 3139835 | 22 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Buffalo County?
The median resident of Buffalo County is 35.1 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 16.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 83.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.6%. 4.8% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 35.1±0.3 | 37.2 | +1.6 |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.1 pts | 24.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.6%±0.2 pts | 16.7% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.6% | 12.7% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 83.8%±0.5 pts | 75.3% | −3.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 4.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.6%±0.1 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.4%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.8%±0.6 pts | 8.0% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.8%±0.9 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.0%±0.8 pts | 6.9% | – |
| With a disability | 12.4%±1.1 pts | 12.3% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.0%±1.2 pts | 7.2% | −1.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.8%±0.9 pts | 92.2% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 34.4%±2.4 pts | 34.6% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.5%±1.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 2.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Buffalo County earn?
Half of Buffalo County's 19,984 households earn less than $75,911 a year (±$3,710), against $76,475 in Nebraska. In 2015-2019 it was $73,141 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 9.9% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $75,911±$3,710 | $76,475 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $94,897±$4,015 | $102,399 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,628±$1,574 | $41,751 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 9.9%±1.2 pts | 10.6% | −3.6 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.1%±2.6 pts | 12.0% | −4.5 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 6.5%±1.1 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 91.1%±1.3 pts | 90.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Buffalo County?
Owners occupy 66.4% of Buffalo County's occupied homes and renters 33.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $246,400 by its owner (±$7,017). The median renter pays $936 a month including utilities, and 33.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $246,400±$7,017 | $238,600 | +$31,275 |
| Median gross rent | $936±$28 | $1,072 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.5%±4.0 pts | 35.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,712±$50 | $1,736 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 66.4%±1.9 pts | 66.5% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 21,286±74 | 863,444 | +804 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.8%±0.7 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.8%±1.3 pts | 4.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 66.6%±1.6 pts | 71.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 5.6%±0.8 pts | 2.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.5%±0.5 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 14.9%±1.3 pts | 18.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Buffalo County building?
Builders took permits for 132 new housing units across Buffalo County in 2025 (128 single-family), 2.6 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Buffalo County get to work?
81.3% of Buffalo County's workers drive alone and 4.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.6%.
| Measure | Buffalo County | Nebraska | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 70.6%±1.3 pts | 68.6% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.6%±0.7 pts | 3.0% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.3%±1.8 pts | 76.1% | – |
| Carpooled | 10.5%±1.4 pts | 8.7% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 2.1%±0.5 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 4.7%±1.2 pts | 11.0% | +1.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.0 min±0.7 | 19.2 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Buffalo County's census tracts?
Buffalo County is divided into 11 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $49,191 (Tract 9693) to $90,417 (Tract 9690).
| Tract 968931019968900 | 3,923±342 | $73,125 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 969031019969000 | 4,896±372 | $90,417 |
| Tract 969131019969100 | 4,915±326 | $81,681 |
| Tract 9692.0231019969202 | 3,588±511 | $78,077 |
| Tract 9692.0331019969203 | 6,487±639 | $82,069 |
| Tract 9692.0431019969204 | 5,519±678 | $89,253 |
| Tract 969331019969300 | 2,423±272 | $49,191 |
| Tract 969431019969400 | 4,490±497 | $69,016 |
| Tract 969531019969500 | 2,238±338 | $61,585 |
| Tract 969631019969600 | 5,509±511 | $50,709 |
| Tract 969731019969700 | 6,591±579 | $83,977 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Buffalo County compare with Nebraska's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 5th of 93 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 20th of 93 |
| Residents per square mile | 10th of 93 |
| Median household income | 21st of 93 |
| Median home value | 8th of 93 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 93 |
| Poverty rate | 45th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 8th of 93 |
| Median age | 89th of 93 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Buffalo County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.