RANK #101 / 996 · POP 50,103 · NE
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.9%
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, spanning Interstate 80 in Kearney, is a distinctive landmark in Buffalo County, Nebraska, commemorating westward expansion. Located in south-central Nebraska, Kearney, the county seat, is approximately 130 miles west of Lincoln. The community offers a blend of small-town charm and access to amenities typically found in larger cities. Residents have access to various outdoor recreation opportunities, including kayaking on the Kearney Water Trail, exploring numerous city parks, and observing the Sandhill crane migration at Fort Kearny State Recreation Area.
Life in Buffalo County is characterized by a strong sense of community and a focus on quality of life, with public schools consistently ranking above average. The economy is diverse, with agriculture playing a foundational role. The University of Nebraska at Kearney is a significant economic driver, attracting new residents and contributing to a skilled workforce. Recent economic developments include investments in technology infrastructure, such as data centers, which are contributing to the county's growth. Commute times are generally favorable, and public transportation options like RYDE Transit offer demand-responsive services within Kearney and scheduled routes to other towns in the county.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Compute North Data Center Expansion
Compute North
|
$700M | Operating |
|
Sequitor Edge Kearney Data Center
Sequitor Edge
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Shamrock Data LLC Data Center
Shamrock Data LLC
|
$50M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Buffalo County has a Boom Town Index score of 90/100, ranking #101 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $70,093, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Buffalo County is $218,600 with median rent at $885/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3206, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +5.6% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 6.2% of Buffalo County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.