Buffalo County, Nebraska
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 77/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Covering 12 ZIP codes, Buffalo County earns a high grade for tap water — most systems report zero health-based violations, and the overall compliance rate comfortably exceeds federal benchmarks.
How Buffalo County Compares
How Buffalo County Compares
Buffalo County scores 12 points above the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 9 points above the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Buffalo County, Nebraska
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 11.9 (asthma 9.2%, diabetes 9.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $808, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.362% avg pipe failure probability, 25% of ZIPs at high risk
65.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $808
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
13,915 housing units in Buffalo County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Buffalo County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Buffalo County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Buffalo County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Buffalo County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Kearney, | 34,000 | 3 |
| 2 | Buffalo Company Sid 3 - Glenwood Estates | 400 | 3 |
| 3 | Sunset View Mobile Home Park | 200 | 3 |
| 4 | Riverside Mobile Home Park | 122 | 3 |
| 5 | West Side Trailer Court | 100 | 3 |
13 total water systems serve Buffalo County.
All ZIP Codes in Buffalo County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Buffalo County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68812 | Amherst | 83 | B | 0 | $207K |
| 2 | 68836 | Elm Creek | 83 | B | 0 | $216K |
| 3 | 68866 | Pleasanton | 83 | B | 0 | $238K |
| 4 | 68876 | Shelton | 83 | B | 1 | $156K |
| 5 | 68848 | Kearney | 81 | B | 1 | — |
| 6 | 68849 | Kearney | 81 | B | 1 | — |
| 7 | 68869 | Ravenna | 81 | B | 1 | $157K |
| 8 | 68840 | Gibbon | 78 | B | 1 | $188K |
| 9 | 68845 | Kearney | 77 | B | 1 | $274K |
| 10 | 68870 | Riverdale | 77 | B | 2 | $217K |
| 11 | 68858 | Miller | 59 | C | 2 | $179K |
| 12 | 68861 | Odessa | 53 | D | 0 | $126K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Buffalo County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 65.6% of homes built before 1978
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buffalo County, Nebraska
Overview
Buffalo County in Nebraska covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (77/100).
8 of 12 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← Back to Nebraska water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.