Kearney ZIP Codes — Buffalo County, NE

There are 4 unique ZIP codes in Kearney, Nebraska. Area code: 308.

ZIP codes

233.55

sq mi land

1.80

sq mi water

308

area code

Kearney, NE ZIP code map

About Kearney, NE

Kearney, located in the state of Nebraska, is a vibrant city known for its rich history and friendly community. As the largest city in Buffalo County, Kearney serves as a hub for commerce and culture in the central part of the state. With a blend of urban amenities and rural charm, Kearney attracts residents and visitors alike with its unique offerings.

Location & geography

Kearney is situated in the south-central region of Nebraska, approximately 30 miles from Grand Island and 50 miles from North Platte. The city's land area encompasses 233.55 square miles, complemented by a water area of 1.80 square miles, contributing to its diverse landscape. Kearney's terrain features flatlands typical of the Great Plains, which supports farming and agriculture in the surrounding areas.

Community & economy

Kearney boasts a close-knit community characterized by its welcoming atmosphere and a strong sense of local pride. The economy is driven by various industries, including education, healthcare, and retail, with the presence of the University of Nebraska at Kearney being particularly significant. Daily life is enriched by numerous local events, recreational opportunities, and a variety of dining and shopping options that reflect the city's vibrant culture.

Transportation

Transportation in Kearney is facilitated by several key routes, including Interstate 80, which offers easy access to major cities across Nebraska. The nearest airport is Kearney Regional Airport, providing regional air service to connect residents and visitors. Public transit options are available, helping residents navigate the city and access essential services.

History

Kearney was founded in the mid-19th century and has since developed into an important center of commerce and education in Nebraska. The city played a vital role as a transportation hub, particularly with the arrival of the railroad, which significantly impacted its growth. Notable events in Kearney's history include the annual Nebraska State Fair, which celebrates the state's agricultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Kearney is that it is home to the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, which spans Interstate 80 and highlights the history of the region. The city is also known for the Museum of Nebraska Art, showcasing an extensive collection of works by Nebraska artists.

ZIP codes for Kearney, NE (4)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
68845	Kearney	Buffalo	View map
68847	Kearney	Buffalo	View map
68848	Kearney	Buffalo	View map
68849	Kearney	Buffalo	View map

Demographics & statistics

38,338

Population

34.2

Median age

$70,491

Median household income

$38,420

Per capita income

$234,650

Median home value

$893

Median monthly rent

64.2%

Home ownership

13.4%

Poverty rate

2.5%

Unemployment

10,958

Housing units

38.6%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

1,193

Under 5

1,160

1,098

5–9

1,067

1,289

10–14

1,254

1,366

15–19

1,329

2,246

20–24

2,183

2,492

25–34

2,423

2,485

35–44

2,416

1,934

45–54

1,880

1,114

55–59

1,084

1,094

60–64

1,063

1,787

65–74

1,737

864

75–84

840

477

85+

463

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	8,627	22.6%
18 and over	29,711	77.5%
65 and over	6,168	16.2%
Median age	34.2 years

Race & ethnicity

White 83.8%

Hispanic or Latino 5.7%

Two or more races 3.8%

Other race 3.7%

Asian 1.7%

Black or African American 0.9%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.5%

Group	Count	%
White	34,054	83.8%
Hispanic or Latino	2,322	5.7%
Two or more races	1,534	3.8%
Other race	1,509	3.7%
Asian	680	1.7%
Black or African American	359	0.9%
American Indian / Alaska Native	202	0.5%

Household income

Under $10k 5.5%

$10k–$15k 2.7%

$15k–$25k 9.5%

$25k–$35k 8.9%

$35k–$50k 10.5%

$50k–$75k 15.9%

$75k–$100k 14.4%

$100k–$150k 17.2%

$150k–$200k 8.8%

$200k+ 6.8%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	5.5%
$10k–$15k	2.7%
$15k–$25k	9.5%
$25k–$35k	8.9%
$35k–$50k	10.5%
$50k–$75k	15.9%
$75k–$100k	14.4%
$100k–$150k	17.2%
$150k–$200k	8.8%
$200k+	6.8%
Median income	$70,491

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 7.9%

$50k–$100k 4.0%

$100k–$150k 7.5%

$150k–$200k 19.1%

$200k–$300k 32.6%

$300k–$500k 23.4%

$500k–$1M 4.9%

$1M+ 0.8%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$234,650
Median rent / month	$893
Owner occupied	64.2%
Renter occupied	35.8%
Vacant	6.0%
Single-family detached	61.7%
Large apartment buildings	6.8%
Mobile homes	6.8%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.59

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.3%
2010–2019	11.0%
2000–2009	13.6%
1990–1999	15.5%
1980–1989	10.5%
1970–1979	19.6%
1960–1969	9.5%
1950–1959	6.6%
1940–1949	3.1%
1939 or earlier	10.7%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.9%
1 bedroom	10.2%
2 bedrooms	24.7%
3 bedrooms	32.4%
4 bedrooms	18.4%
5+ bedrooms	12.6%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.7%
1 vehicle	29.7%
2 vehicles	39.5%
3 or more	26.2%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	54.4%
Electricity	41.7%
Propane / LP gas	2.4%
Fuel oil	0.1%
Wood	0.6%
No fuel used	0.3%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	7,005	44.9%
Cohabiting couple	1,422	9.2%
Male householder, no spouse	2,795	17.9%
Female householder, no spouse	4,365	28.1%
Households with children under 18	4,347	28.0%
Households with seniors (65+)	4,265	27.4%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	38.3%	31.1%
Married	47.9%	45.5%
Separated	1.1%	0.2%
Widowed	3.0%	10.6%
Divorced	9.9%	12.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.5%

Some HS, no diploma 4.6%

HS graduate 23.2%

Some college, no degree 22.7%

Associate's degree 8.5%

Bachelor's degree 24.9%

Graduate / professional 13.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	92.9%
Bachelor's or higher	38.6%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	527	5.7%
Kindergarten	471	4.8%
Elementary school	3,743	36.5%
High school	1,960	18.3%
College / grad school	3,867	34.8%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 26.1%

Retail trade 14.6%

Arts, food & hospitality 10.8%

Manufacturing 10.5%

Professional & management 7.5%

Construction 6.7%

Other services 5.9%

Finance & real estate 4.2%

Public administration 4.1%

Transportation & utilities 3.6%

Agriculture & mining 2.6%

Wholesale trade 2.5%

Information 1.2%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	37.2%
Service	17.3%
Sales & office	23.4%
Natural resources & construction	8.0%
Production & transportation	14.2%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	80.7%
Government	14.6%
Self-employed	4.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.3%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	83.6%
Carpool	9.4%
Public transit	0.2%
Walk	1.2%
Other means	0.9%
Avg commute (minutes)	15.2

Poverty

All people 13.4%

Under 18 years 13.4%

18 and over 13.3%

Married-couple families 2.2%

Female-led households 28.8%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	28.7%
Retirement income	18.1%
Supplemental Security	4.2%
Cash public assistance	2.2%
Food stamps / SNAP	8.3%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	26.6%
High cholesterol	28.3%
Heart disease	5.1%
Stroke	2.4%
Asthma	8.9%
Arthritis	21.0%
Kidney disease	2.4%
Pulmonary disease	5.1%
Cancer	5.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	23.1%
No physical activity	19.6%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	27.0%
Fair or poor health	10.6%
Poor mental health	12.5%
Poor physical health	8.0%
No health insurance	13.6%
Visited doctor (checkup)	70.0%
Visited dentist	66.7%
Cholesterol screening	83.2%
Teeth loss	11.6%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	1,890	6.4%

Disability	%
Any disability	13.4%
Under 18	6.7%
18–64 years	11.1%
65 and over	32.6%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	75.5%
Public insurance	30.7%
Uninsured under 19	6.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	35,985	93.8%
Spanish	1,042	3.0%
Other Indo-European	705	2.0%
Asian & Pacific Islander	42	0.1%
Other languages	295	0.9%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	36,555	95.3%
Born in same state	36,371	94.8%
Born in different state	28,281	73.8%
Foreign born	184	0.5%
Naturalized citizen	1,783	4.7%
Not a US citizen	1,053	59.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	5,021	13.1%
French	3,563	9.3%
Arab	1,463	3.8%
Dutch	914	2.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
English	577	1.5%
Polish	504	1.3%
German	89	0.2%
Irish	14	0%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	40.9%
Internet access	94.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Kearney, NE have?

Kearney, NE has 3 ZIP codes: 68845, 68847, and 68849. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.