Kearney, Nebraska  Kearney  is a city in and the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 30,787 at the 2010 census. It is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The westward push of the railroad as the Civil War ended gave birth to the community. Kearney is located at (40.700731, -99.081150). Strategically located on I-80 with convenient access to major markets like Omaha-Lincoln, Denver, Kansas City, Des Moines, Wichita and Cheyenne, Kearney is at the center of a 7-state region and 20 million people. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water. Kearney is the principal city of the Kearney, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Buffalo and Kearney counties. As of the census of 2010, there were 30,787 people, 12,201 households, and 7,015 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 12,738 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 92.3% White, 1.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 3.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.3% of the population. There were 12,201 households of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.5% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age in the city was 29 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 20.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.6% were from 25 to 44; 20.6% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female. As of the census of 2000, there were 29,952 people, 10,549 households, and 6,160 families residing in the city.