Buffalo County, Nebraska Property Taxes
Median Buffalo County effective property tax rate: 1.75%, significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%.
Median Buffalo County home value: $185,962
Median annual Buffalo County tax bill: $3,186, $786 higher than the national median property tax bill of $2,400.
How are property taxes in Buffalo County calculated?
Property taxes in Buffalo County are calculated based on the tax assessed value, which is often lower than the actual market value due to property tax exemptions such as the homestead or senior exemption.
Understanding your county's property tax system, exemptions, and reduction opportunities can lead to significant savings. Whether you live in Kearney or another part of Buffalo County, knowing local tax details benefits homeowners and investors.
Last Updated March 1, 2025
Buffalo County, Nebraska Property Tax Bill Calculator
$100,000
$1,500,000
$3,000,000
Median Effective Tax Rate
1.75%
Estimate Property Tax Bill
$3,254
$3,020
Ownwell’s Buffalo County Property Tax Bill Calculator empowers homeowners, real estate investors, and potential buyers to estimate their annual property taxes in Buffalo County with just two data points. By entering your property's estimated assessed value, our calculator applies Buffalo County’s median effective tax rate to accurately estimate your property tax bill. Note that your property's assessed value — determined by your county — reflects any exemptions you may have, ensuring a more precise calculation for your property tax obligations.
This insightful tool helps you understand potential tax liabilities and highlights how Ownwell can assist in reducing property taxes in Buffalo County. For those interested in more localized information, please scroll down to explore city-level trends!
Property Tax Rates Across Buffalo County, Nebraska
Local government entities set tax rates, which can vary widely within a state. Annually, each county estimates its required budget to provide services and divides that by the total value of all taxable property within its jurisdiction. This calculation results in the property tax rate. While there are votes and laws involved in setting tax rates and budgets, in a nutshell, this is the annual process.
Buffalo County in Nebraska has a median property tax rate of 1.75%, which is significantly higher than the national median of 1.02%. Within Nebraska, the highest median property tax rate is found in Shelton at 2.20%, while the lowest is in Hazard at 1.22%. These variations highlight the importance of understanding local tax dynamics. Property owners in Buffalo County face a substantial tax burden compared to the national landscape, emphasizing the need for effective property tax management. Evaluating and appealing property tax assessments can lead to significant savings, especially in counties with higher rates. Understanding the local tax environment is crucial for property owners to ensure they are not overpaying and to take advantage of any potential exemptions or reductions available.
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Buffalo County Tax Rate
1.75%
Our median effective property tax rate (tax bill ÷ assessor's market value) accounts for exemptions and deductions, making it more accurate than the general median tax rate, which is the midpoint of statutory rates before adjustments.
Median Effective Nebraska Tax Rate
1.75%
Median Effective United States Tax Rate
1.02%
Property Tax Rates Across Buffalo County, Nebraska
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Rate | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | 1.24% | 1.25% | 1.27% | 1.59% | 1.59% |
| Elm Creek | 1.55% | 1.56% | 1.94% | 1.94% | 1.94% |
| Gibbon | 1.51% | 1.52% | 2.00% | 2.00% | 2.00% |
| Hazard | 1.16% | 1.16% | 1.22% | 1.50% | 1.50% |
| Kearney | 1.64% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% | 1.75% |
| Miller | 1.24% | 1.43% | 1.82% | 1.82% | 1.82% |
| Odessa | 1.57% | 1.57% | 1.57% | 1.64% | 1.64% |
| Pleasanton | 1.48% | 1.50% | 1.50% | 1.80% | 1.80% |
| Ravenna | 1.16% | 1.18% | 1.53% | 1.53% | 1.53% |
| Riverdale | 1.26% | 1.27% | 1.33% | 1.64% | 1.70% |
| Shelton | 1.51% | 1.53% | 2.20% | 2.20% | 2.20% |
| Kenesaw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mason City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sumner | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo County, Nebraska
When examining property taxes in Buffalo County, understanding the distinction between "market value" and "assessed value" is crucial. The market value is what a willing buyer would pay to a willing seller in an open and competitive market, often influenced by location, property condition, and economic market trends. The Buffalo County Assessor estimates the market value for tax purposes. The assessed value is the market value minus any applicable exemptions or limits determined by local laws and offerings. The tax assessed value is the figure used to calculate your property taxes or the amount multiplied by your tax rate to get your tax bill.
Assessment notices: In Buffalo County, assessment notices are sent in the spring each year. They’ll typically reach your mailbox by the middle of April. Each property owner receives an assessment notice that contains both the market value and assessed value, along with an estimate of your property tax bill. By providing insights into how assessed and market values are determined, this section helps property owners navigate their tax responsibilities and understand the valuation processes affecting their property taxes in Buffalo County.
For example, the median tax bill in Buffalo County is $2,400, with tax bills ranging significantly across the county. Hazard has the highest median home price at $236,205.
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo County, Nebraska
Source: Ownwell
$82,235
$159,220
$236,205
Median Buffalo County Market Value
$185,962
Median Nebraska Market Value
$182,439
Median United States Market Value
$235,294
Property Tax Assessment Values Across Buffalo County, Nebraska
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Home Price | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | $47,603 | $107,345 | $213,525 | $363,105 | $627,401 |
| Elm Creek | $48,309 | $91,145 | $145,970 | $227,288 | $371,858 |
| Gibbon | $23,352 | $96,962 | $157,995 | $229,715 | $323,020 |
| Hazard | $93,723 | $146,595 | $236,205 | $461,380 | $673,430 |
| Kearney | $76,348 | $142,080 | $200,332 | $283,814 | $364,593 |
| Miller | $13,504 | $39,235 | $82,235 | $257,605 | $668,193 |
| Odessa | $25,599 | $46,515 | $84,305 | $105,732 | $136,148 |
| Pleasanton | $68,795 | $117,890 | $197,290 | $338,596 | $633,840 |
| Ravenna | $28,945 | $60,058 | $103,892 | $198,669 | $390,752 |
| Riverdale | $84,180 | $131,158 | $185,275 | $323,308 | $434,230 |
| Shelton | $34,860 | $74,551 | $122,230 | $206,589 | $358,030 |
| Kenesaw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mason City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sumner | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell
Property Tax Bills Across Buffalo County, Nebraska
Median Buffalo County Tax Bill
$3,186
Median Nebraska Tax Bill
$3,071
Median United States Tax Bill
$2,400
Property Tax Bills Across Buffalo County, Nebraska
| City | 10th Percentile | 25th Percentile | Median Tax Bill | 75th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst | $633 | $1,530 | $2,850 | $4,807 | $7,902 |
| Elm Creek | $667 | $1,497 | $2,550 | $4,055 | $6,079 |
| Gibbon | $345 | $1,577 | $2,870 | $3,916 | $5,413 |
| Hazard | $1,213 | $1,936 | $4,305 | $6,416 | $8,816 |
| Kearney | $663 | $2,352 | $3,440 | $4,914 | $6,297 |
| Miller | $177 | $567 | $1,528 | $3,780 | $8,742 |
| Odessa | $352 | $614 | $1,181 | $1,673 | $2,020 |
| Pleasanton | $1,008 | $1,928 | $3,142 | $5,109 | $9,485 |
| Ravenna | $319 | $794 | $1,455 | $2,722 | $4,711 |
| Riverdale | $950 | $1,852 | $2,855 | $4,444 | $6,273 |
| Shelton | $608 | $1,460 | $2,519 | $3,945 | $6,099 |
| Kenesaw | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Mason City | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Sumner | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Source: Ownwell