COUNTY REPORT NE

Kearney County, Nebraska

3 ZIP codes · Avg score 68/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03

Water safety in Kearney County is uneven — some of its 3 ZIP codes meet standards cleanly while others carry documented violations.

How Kearney County Compares

Kearney County68/100
Nebraska avg65/100
National avg68/100

How Kearney County Compares

C
County Grade
68/100
Avg Safety Score
3
ZIP Codes
7
Water Systems

Kearney County scores 3 points above the Nebraska state average (65/100) and 0 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

C
County Grade
68
Avg Safety Score
3
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 68924 (70/100)
Lowest ZIP: 68847 (64/100)
$229K
Median Home Value
$2,767
Avg Remediation (121% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 12.6 (asthma 9%, diabetes 10.8%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,190, driven primarily by energy_code_gap

Infrastructure: 0.413% avg pipe failure probability, 67% of ZIPs at high risk

73.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 9% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 10.8% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 38.3% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1966
Median Build Year
73.3%
Pre-1978 Housing
41%
Pipe Failure Probability
67%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,190

Energy Code Gap $540/yr
Flood $333/yr
Water / Lead $317/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

9,954 housing units in Kearney County

Pre-1940 13%
1940–1959 12%
1960–1979 33%
1980–1999 20%
2000+ 22%

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 Kearney County

$229K
Median Home Value
$2,767
Est. Remediation Cost
1.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Kearney 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 Kearney County residents

Asthma 9% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 10.8% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 38.3% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Kearney County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 City of Kearney, 34,000 1
2 Buffalo Company Sid 3 - Glenwood Estates 400 1
3 Sunset View Mobile Home Park 200 1
4 Riverside Mobile Home Park 122 1
5 West Side Trailer Court 100 1

7 total water systems serve Kearney County.

All ZIP Codes in Kearney County

3 ZIP codes tracked in Kearney County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 68924 Axtell 70 B 0 $240K
2 68959 Minden 70 B 0 $211K
3 68847 Kearney 64 C 1 $229K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Kearney County

Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.

Overview

Kearney County in Nebraska covers 3 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (68/100).

1 of 3 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

← Back to Nebraska water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Kearney County?
Kearney County receives a grade of C. Some ZIP codes have recorded violations and residents in affected areas may want to test their water.
How many water systems serve Kearney County?
Kearney County is served by 7 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 3 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Kearney County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Kearney County is energy_code_gap. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,190 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Kearney County?
The median home build year in Kearney County is 1966. 73.3% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Kearney County compare to Nebraska?
Kearney County has an average water safety score of 68/100, which is above the Nebraska state average of 65/100.

Get safety alerts for Kearney, Nebraska

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool — no phone call required.