Population51,172 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
Follow the Bricks Beyond the Usual Stop
Buffalo County, NebraskaKearney anchors Buffalo County with a downtown known as The Bricks, museums and places to spend time outdoors. Cottonmill Park and the Archway offer two different starting points for exploring the area. Gibbon and the county’s other communities broaden a trip beyond the county seat. Pair an attraction with downtown dining, or use this guide to find the county offices and services that matter when you live here.
Buffalo County at a Glance
Population51,172 (July 1, 2025 estimate)
County SeatKearney
Largest CommunityKearney
EstablishedAuthorized 1855; organized 1870
ZIP Codes14 wholly or partly within county
Total Area975.40 square miles (land and water; 2024 Gazetteer)
Major RoutesI-80; US 30; US 183; NE 2; NE 10; NE 40; NE 44; NE 68
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 Buffalo County
Buffalo County is more than a single stop in Kearney. Its local guide should help you connect a place you want to explore with the information you need to get there. Begin with Archway, 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 Buffalo 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 Kearney and beyond.
What Shapes This Place
A Local Starting Point
Begin with Archway 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 Buffalo 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 Kearney 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
Buffalo County in Pictures
Places and perspectives from Buffalo 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
Find the public health department serving Buffalo County
The state directory identifies the department covering each county. This resource is for public health information, not emergency medical treatment.
Public Safety
Emergency Management
State Parks
Trails & Recreation
Utilities
Service boundaries can differ within Buffalo 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
Buffalo 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.
Kearney is the county seat. Start with the Buffalo County government website to find the right office for your visit.
The U.S. Census Bureau estimates 51,172 residents as of July 1, 2025. This is a population estimate, not a new census count. Census population source.
The county covers approximately 975.40 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 1855 and organization in 1870. These describe different stages of establishing county government. County history and profile.
Begin with Archway and Cottonmill Park & Recreation Area. Use the local information source to plan your stops and check current visitor arrangements.
Buffalo County government is the official starting point. Select the office responsible for your task and confirm its hours and required documents before traveling to Kearney.
Use the Nebraska DMV location directory and select Buffalo 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 Buffalo County. Contact the listed office to discuss services and arrange a visit.
Search the Nebraska Library Commission directory by community, beginning with Kearney. 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 Kearney should not be used for every address in Buffalo County.
The at-a-glance count includes 14 ZIP codes wholly or partly within Buffalo 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 Buffalo 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
- The Archway — Kearney. Explore the story of travel across the Great Plains.
- Big Apple Fun Center — Kearney. Bowling, arcade games and miniature golf for a family outing.
- Kearney Area Children’s Museum — Kearney. Hands-on exhibits invite children to build, discover and play.
Restaurants
- The Alley Rose — Kearney. Downtown dining on Central Avenue.
- Angus Burgers & Shakes — Kearney. Specialty burgers and milkshakes on West Talmadge Road.
- Big Apple Sports Bar & Grill — Kearney. Pair a meal with a game-day visit to the family entertainment center.
Shopping & Retail
- Cabela’s — Kearney. Outdoor equipment, apparel, footwear and gifts on U.S. 30.
- Simply Blessed Boutique — Kearney. Clothing, accessories and jewelry with downtown and Crowne Plaza shops.
- Fanci That Salon & Boutique — Kearney. Downtown boutique clothing and personal styling.
Clothing & Boutiques
- Simply Blessed Boutique — Kearney. Clothing, accessories and jewelry with downtown and Crowne Plaza shops.
- Fanci That Salon & Boutique — Kearney. Downtown boutique clothing and personal styling.
- Glik’s Boutique — Kearney. Women’s clothing, shoes and accessories.
Outdoor Fun
- Cottonmill Park — Kearney. Explore nature trails, lake views and picnic areas; rentals have separate fees.
- Yanney Heritage Park — Kearney. Walking paths, gardens and playgrounds beside the lake.
- Harmon Park — Kearney. Visit the rock garden and public playgrounds; pool admission is separate.
Free Things To Do
- Cottonmill Park Nature Walk — Kearney. Enjoy a walk and lake scenery without renting equipment.
- Yanney Heritage Park Paths — Kearney. Walk the public paths and explore the park grounds.
- Harmon Park Rock Garden — Kearney. Take a quiet stroll through the rock garden.
Make time for a local discovery.Keep Exploring Buffalo County