Population10,500 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Town Squares and Sandhills Roads Worth Exploring
Custer County, NebraskaBroken Bow anchors a county whose local stops reward a little extra planning. Custer County’s tourism guide connects visitors with the county museum, parks, theaters and smaller communities including Arnold and Oconto. Choose a museum or town square visit, then add an outdoor stop that fits the season. For residents, the same county-wide view helps connect government services in Broken Bow with the places and organizations serving surrounding communities.
Custer County at a Glance
Population10,500 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatBroken Bow
Largest CommunityBroken Bow
EstablishedAuthorized 1877; organized 1877
ZIP Codes15 wholly or partly within county
Total Area2,575.95 square miles (land and water; 2024 Gazetteer)
Major RoutesUS 183; NE 2; NE 21; NE 40; NE 47; NE 70; NE 92
Area Codes308
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Meet Local Businesses
Explore featured businesses from the county and surrounding region. These paid advertisements link residents with local services; confirm location and service availability directly with each business.
Explore Your County
Discover Custer County
Custer County is more than a single stop in Broken Bow. Its local guide should help you connect a place you want to explore with the information you need to get there. Begin with Custer County Museum, then look at the surrounding communities and official visitor resources before adding another destination. A short, well-planned route leaves room for a meal, a conversation or an unexpected discovery without turning the day into a race between attractions.
For people who call Custer County home, the useful details are often the everyday ones: which office handles a question, where to find a library, or how to check transportation options. Keep the official county website close at hand and use the resource links below to reach the organization responsible for each service. Visitor information and government information serve different purposes; together, they offer a more useful picture of life around Broken Bow and beyond.
What Shapes This Place
A Local Starting Point
Begin with Custer County Museum and check its current information before setting out. Build your route around the stops that suit your interests and the time you have.
Everyday Connections
Use Custer County government and provider links to find the right office or organization. Confirm the details of your visit directly, especially when traveling from another community.
Explore With Context
Keep Broken Bow and the surrounding county in view as you plan. Check destination locations carefully, and give nearby regional attractions their own place on your itinerary.
Local places, useful connections, and time to explore
A Closer Look
Custer County in Pictures
Places and perspectives from Custer County
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Meet Local Businesses
Explore featured businesses from the county and surrounding region. These paid advertisements link residents with local services; confirm location and service availability directly with each business.
Everyday Essentials
Find the Right Local Resource
Start with official offices and service providers. Statewide directories are identified so you can select your local community.
Government
Schools
Hospitals & Health
Public Safety
Emergency Management
State Parks
Trails & Recreation
Utilities
Service boundaries can differ within Custer County. Use these official tools to identify service at your address; contact your city or village for municipal water and sewer.
Find your electric supplier — Nebraska Power Review Board service-area map
Locate natural gas service territories — Nebraska Public Service Commission
Check broadband providers by street address — FCC National Broadband Map
Request underground utility locations before digging — Nebraska 811
Natural gas utility information — Nebraska Public Service Commission
Libraries
Courts
DMV
Transportation
Postal Services
Veterans Services
Employment
Custer County Questions, Answered
Useful starting points for residents and visitors
Before You Go
Plan With Local Information
Check the source for hours, availability and visit details.
Broken Bow is the county seat. Start with the Custer County government website to find the right office for your visit.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 10,500 residents as of July 1, 2025. This is a population estimate, not a new census count. Census population source.
The county covers approximately 2,575.95 square miles including land and water, calculated from the Census Bureau’s 2024 Gazetteer. Gazetteer source.
The Nebraska Association of County Officials lists authorization in 1877 and organization in 1877. These describe different stages of establishing county government. County history and profile.
Begin with Custer County Museum and Melham Park. Use the local information source to plan your stops and check current visitor arrangements.
Custer County government is the official starting point. Select the office responsible for your task and confirm its hours and required documents before traveling to Broken Bow.
Use the Nebraska DMV location directory and select Custer County. Check the service type and schedule; a county treasurer’s vehicle service is not automatically a driver examination appointment.
Use the Nebraska county veteran service officer directory to locate the entry for Custer County. Contact the listed office to discuss services and arrange a visit.
Search the Nebraska Library Commission directory by community, beginning with Broken Bow. Ask the individual library about current hours, card eligibility and visitor access.
Start with the Nebraska public transit provider directory and confirm coverage for your pickup and destination. Availability, advance booking and fares depend on the provider; a nearby agency does not establish county-wide service.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the complete street address. ZIP delivery areas do not necessarily follow county boundaries, so the ZIP for Broken Bow should not be used for every address in Custer County.
The at-a-glance count includes 15 ZIP codes wholly or partly within Custer County, including PO Box and unique codes where listed. Source: ZIP Data Maps county coverage list, checked October 9, 2026. Postal areas can cross county boundaries.
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Meet Local Businesses
Explore featured businesses from the county and surrounding region. These paid advertisements link residents with local services; confirm location and service availability directly with each business.
My Local Guide
Explore Custer County
Find Your Next Local StopBrowse places to eat, shop and spend time together. Nearby and regional options are labeled where included. Check destinations for current hours, admission and seasonal access.
Kids’ Fun
- Custer County Museum — Broken Bow. Discover county history and photographs with the family.
- Broken Bow Public Library — Broken Bow. Children’s books and hands-on Makerspace activities.
- Tomahawk Park — Broken Bow. Playground, picnic shelters and space for a family outing; camping costs extra.
Restaurants
- Kinkaider Brewing Company — Broken Bow. Farm brewery restaurant and taproom with a covered patio.
- Bonfire Grill — Broken Bow. Steaks, sandwiches and comfort-food dishes at the Arrow Hotel.
- Fiesta Brava — Broken Bow. Mexican dining on South Tenth Avenue.
Shopping & Retail
- Ortello Dale — Broken Bow. Home décor and gifts on South Ninth Avenue.
- Geared4Sports — Broken Bow. Athletic apparel, footwear and fan gear.
- Lillie Kate Boutique — Broken Bow. Clothing, shoes and accessories on South D Street.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Lillie Kate Boutique — Broken Bow. Clothing, shoes and accessories on South D Street.
- Geared4Sports — Broken Bow. Athletic apparel, footwear and fan gear.
- Square One Boutique at Chapin’s — Broken Bow. Women’s fashion and accessories at the South E Street shop.
Outdoor Fun
- Tomahawk Park — Broken Bow. Playground, picnic shelters and space for a family outing; camping costs extra.
- Melham Park — Broken Bow. Walk the paths and enjoy lake views; pool admission is separate.
- City Square Park — Broken Bow. Downtown green space with a bandstand and playground.
Free Things To Do
- Tomahawk Park Playground — Broken Bow. Enjoy the public playground and park grounds; RV camping is separate.
- Melham Park Walking Paths — Broken Bow. Take a lakeside walk without entering the paid pool.
- City Square Park — Broken Bow. Relax in the downtown park or visit its playground.
Make time for a local discovery.Keep Exploring Custer County