Buffalo County Demographics

A map of Buffalo County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	42,362	42,108	83.8%	84.1%
Hispanic	5,385	5,062	10.6%	10.1%
Multiracial	1,195	1,378	2.4%	2.8%
Asian	822	660	1.6%	1.3%
Native American/Other	423	276	0.8%	0.6%
Black	392	600	0.8%	1.2%

Buffalo County, Nebraska has an estimated population of 50,579, a less than 1% change from the 50,084 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 83.8% White, 10.6% Hispanic, 2.4% Multiracial, 1.6% Asian, 0.8% Black, and 0.8% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Buffalo County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Buffalo is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Nebraska overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Buffalo County, that probability was 28.2% in 2020 and 28.6% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Buffalo County is ranked the 5th most populous county in Nebraska, out of 93 counties. Buffalo County was ranked the 5th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Buffalo County's White Population

42,362 residents of Buffalo County, or 83.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Buffalo County is higher than in Nebraska overall, where 75.3% of the population is White. Buffalo County ranks 71st statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 83.8%.

Buffalo County is more White than neighboring Hall County (60.5% White), and Adams County (82.3% White). Buffalo County is less White than neighboring Kearney County (90.8% White), Sherman County (92.6% White), and Phelps County (89.5% White).

Buffalo County's Black Population

392 residents of Buffalo County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Buffalo County is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 4.6% of the population is Black. Buffalo County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Black population has declined by an estimated 34.7%. Black residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Buffalo County is more Black than neighboring Kearney County (0% Black), and Sherman County (0.3% Black). Buffalo County is less Black than neighboring Phelps County (0.9% Black), Hall County (3.3% Black), and Adams County (1.4% Black).

Buffalo County's Asian Population

822 residents of Buffalo County, or 1.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Buffalo County is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 2.6% of the population is Asian. Buffalo County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 24.5%. Asian residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.6%.

Buffalo County is more Asian than neighboring Kearney County (0.5% Asian), Sherman County (0.5% Asian), Phelps County (0% Asian), Hall County (1% Asian), and Adams County (1% Asian).

Buffalo County's Hispanic Population

5,385 residents of Buffalo County, or 10.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Buffalo County is slightly lower than in Nebraska overall, where 12.7% of the population is Hispanic. Buffalo County ranks 20th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 6.4%. Hispanic residents' share of Buffalo County's population has increased from 10.1% to 10.6%.

Buffalo County is more Hispanic than neighboring Kearney County (6.8% Hispanic), Sherman County (2.8% Hispanic), and Phelps County (6.9% Hispanic). Buffalo County is less Hispanic than neighboring Hall County (32.4% Hispanic), and Adams County (12.5% Hispanic).

Buffalo County's Native American/Other Population

423 residents of Buffalo County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Buffalo County is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Buffalo County ranks 46th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 53.3%. Native American/Other residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Buffalo County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Kearney County (0.3% Native American/Other), Sherman County (0.1% Native American/Other), Phelps County (0.4% Native American/Other), Hall County (0.5% Native American/Other), and Adams County (0.5% Native American/Other).

Buffalo County's Multiracial Population

1,195 residents of Buffalo County, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Buffalo County is comparable to the share in Nebraska overall, where 3.8% of the population is Multiracial. Buffalo County ranks 42nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 93 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Buffalo County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 13.3%. Multiracial residents' share of Buffalo County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.4%.

Buffalo County is more Multiracial than neighboring Kearney County (1.5% Multiracial), Phelps County (2.3% Multiracial), and Hall County (2.3% Multiracial). Buffalo County is less Multiracial than neighboring Sherman County (3.6% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.