Buffalo County Health Data
Buffalo County, Nebraska
CDC County Health RankingsHealth Score
71/100
Average
Life Expectancy
79.9 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.9%
Health Statistics
Life Expectancy
79.9 yr
State avg 77.5 yr
National avg 77.5 yr
Uninsured Rate
7.9%
State avg 8.1%
National avg 9%
Primary Care Providers
87
per 100K population
National avg 82
Mental Health Providers
470
per 100K population
National avg 350
Poor / Fair Health
17.7%
State avg 15.6%
National avg 19.6%
Healthcare Access
Primary Care Physicians
19.9
per 100K residentsCDC: 87.4 per 100K
Dentists
7.9
per 100K residents
Nurse Practitioners & PAs
9.9
per 100K residents
Provider counts from CMS NPPES (National Provider Identifier Registry). Data current as of 2026.
Chronic Disease & Behavioral Health
These prevalence estimates come from the CDC PLACES program (Population-Level Analysis and Community Estimates), which combines BRFSS survey data with statistical modeling to produce county-level rates. Estimates are age-adjusted to enable fair comparisons across counties with different age distributions. Use them to spot where Buffalo County differs most from state and national norms.
Most prevalent chronic conditions
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity | 38.9% | 39.8% | 37.6% | 0.9 pts better than state |
| Diabetes | 9.1% | 9.6% | 11.2% | near state average |
| High Blood Pressure | 31.1% | 30.3% | 33.5% | 0.8 pts worse than state |
| Depression | 18.3% | 18.4% | 24.1% | near state average |
Health-risk behaviors
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Current Cigarette Smoking | 13.3% | 14.9% | 16.3% | 1.6 pts better than state |
| Binge Drinking | 21.9% | 22.1% | 17.8% | near state average |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.7% | 26.3% | 27.0% | 2.6 pts better than state |
Preventive-care uptake
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Routine Checkup | 74.1% | 72.9% | 74.9% | 1.2 pts better than state |
| Dental Visit (past year) | 57.9% | 62.0% | 57.3% | 4.1 pts worse than state |
| Mammography (women 50–74) | 73.5% | 73.0% | 73.3% | near state average |
Daily-life impact
| Measure | Buffalo | State avg | National avg | Vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Mental Distress | 14.9% | 15.3% | 18.6% | near state average |
| Short Sleep Duration | 33.8% | 32.3% | 37.3% | 1.5 pts worse than state |
These rates are part of the CDC PLACES survey. Compare Buffalo County nationally on dental visit (past year).
Source: CDC PLACES, 2023 release · age-adjusted prevalence (%). Confidence intervals are available on individual rankings pages.
Data Story
Mental health provider ratio in Buffalo County exceeds national median
Health data brief for Buffalo County, Nebraska.
Buffalo County reports 470 mental health providers per 100,000 residents, a figure nearly double the national median of 250. This concentration of specialists is joined by a primary care provider ratio of 87 per 100,000, which is higher than the national median of 70. Life expectancy in the county is 79.9 years, surpassing both the state average of 77.5 years and the national average of 77 years. The uninsured rate is 7.9%, slightly lower than the state's 8.1% and the national 10%. Data indicates that 17.7% of residents report poor or fair health, which is higher than the state context but near the national average of 17%. See the CDC County Health Rankings methodology.
Sources
- CDC County Health Rankings v2
- HHS NPPES
Get Care in Buffalo County, Nebraska
Direct contact information for hospitals and community health resources serving this county. Hospital quality ratings come from CMS Care Compare — the federal program that measures hospital performance on safety, patient experience, and outcomes.
Hospitals near you
Compare all on Medicare.gov →Chi Health Good Samaritan
ERKearney Regional Medical Center
EReHealth Insurance
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the health ranking of Buffalo County, NE?
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How does Buffalo County health compare to the Nebraska average?
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Why is Buffalo County healthier than the Nebraska average?
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Data Sources
Health data sourced from the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Data is informational only. Not medical or health advice. Coverage varies by county and reporting year.