Keya Paha County is a county in Nebraska, United States, on the South Dakota state line in the north-central part of the state. It had a population of 769 at the 2020 census and covers 773 square miles (2,004 km2) centred near 42°53′N 99°43′W.
Springview is the county seat and its postal code is 68778. The county has 2 incorporated villages (Burton and Springview) plus several unincorporated communities, no organized townships, and sits in the Central time zone.
Towns & Villages in Keya Paha County
Keya Paha County has 2 incorporated villages and a handful of unincorporated places scattered along the Keya Paha and Niobrara river valleys. CDP = census-designated place; Unincorp. = unincorporated community with no municipal government.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springview | Village · seat | — | 68778 |
| Burton | Village | — | 68778 |
| Mills | Unincorp. | — | 68753 |
| Norden | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Jamison | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Meadville | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Riverview | Unincorp. | — | — |
Brocksburg and Rocky Ford appear in older gazetteers but are no longer inhabited places on current maps; they are omitted here as unverifiable. Mills, on the Niobrara River in the county’s south, uses its own post office and ZIP separate from Springview’s.
ZIP Codes
- 68778 — Springview (also serves Burton and the county’s north half)
- 68753 — Mills (serves the Niobrara River bottom in the south)
The remaining unincorporated places (Norden, Jamison, Meadville, Riverview) have no ZIP code of their own and use Springview or a neighboring county’s post office.
Geography
Keya Paha County sits in Nebraska’s Sandhills-fringe “Outback” country, a landscape of low rolling hills and native grassland cut by two rivers. The Keya Paha River flows east through the northeastern part of the county before crossing into Boyd County, and the Niobrara River forms the county’s southern boundary with Rock and Brown counties. Ranching, not row-crop farming, dominates the terrain because of the sandy, hilly soil.
The county borders South Dakota’s Tripp and Gregory counties to the north, Boyd County to the east, Holt County to the southeast, Rock County and Brown County to the south, and Cherry County to the west.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 769 residents, making Keya Paha one of Nebraska’s least-populous counties. Springview, the county seat, is the largest place; Burton is a much smaller village a few miles to its west. The county’s median household income runs well below the Nebraska median of $74,590, typical of the state’s sparsely settled ranching counties. Population density is roughly 1 person per square mile, among the lowest in the state.
Economy & Local Life
Cattle ranching and hay production drive the local economy, with the Niobrara and Keya Paha river valleys providing grazing land and water. Springview serves as the county’s trade center, with the county courthouse, a school, and a handful of local businesses. The county has no incorporated cities and few employers outside agriculture, local government, and the school district.
History
Keya Paha County was organized on December 17, 1884, carved out of what had been Brown County territory. Its name comes from the Dakota language, in which “Keya Paha” means “turtle hill,” describing a range of low hills along the river that bears the same name. The county’s population peaked in the early 20th century homestead era and has declined steadily since, a pattern common across Nebraska’s Sandhills and Outback counties.
Getting There
Nebraska Highway 137 runs north-south through the county to Springview, connecting to U.S. Highway 20 a short distance south.
- Valentine, Nebraska — 45 miles west
- O’Neill, Nebraska — 45 miles southeast
- Ainsworth, Nebraska — 30 miles south
- Winner, South Dakota — 35 miles north
The nearest commercial air service is at Central Nebraska Regional Airport in Grand Island, roughly three hours south by road.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Keya Paha County, Nebraska?
It is in north-central Nebraska on the South Dakota state line, roughly 200 miles northwest of Lincoln.
What is the population of Keya Paha County?
769 people, per the 2020 census, making it one of the least-populous counties in Nebraska.
How big is Keya Paha County?
773 square miles (2,004 km2), almost entirely land.
What is the county seat of Keya Paha County?
Springview is the county seat and largest village.
How many towns are in Keya Paha County?
Two incorporated villages, Springview and Burton, plus several unincorporated communities including Mills, Norden, Jamison, Meadville, and Riverview.
What ZIP codes are in Keya Paha County?
68778 (Springview) and 68753 (Mills).
Where does the name “Keya Paha” come from?
It is a Dakota-language name meaning “turtle hill,” originally describing a range of hills along the Keya Paha River.
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Nebraska.