Hayes County

Hayes County is a rural county in southwestern Nebraska characterized by rolling hills with flat-topped formations. The landscape is shaped by irrigation systems that serve as the backbone of local farming operations.

The county was established in 1877 and officially organized in 1884, named after President Rutherford B. Hayes. Its creation reflected the westward expansion and settlement patterns of late 19th-century Nebraska.

The county maintains traditional rural Nebraska values with a population of 856 residents according to the 2020 census, spread across small communities.

The county seat of Hayes Center is located centrally and houses administrative offices for local government operations. Most services and public facilities in the area are concentrated in this small town and are easily accessible.

Red Willow Creek winds through the county and carries water eastward toward Hugh Butler Lake, creating a natural corridor across the landscape. This waterway has shaped local settlement patterns and continues to influence how people use the land today.

Location: Nebraska

Inception: 1877

Capital city: Hayes Center

Shares border with: Lincoln County, Hitchcock County, Perkins County, Chase County, Dundy County, Frontier County

Website: http://hayescounty.ne.gov

GPS coordinates: 40.53000,-101.06000

Latest update: December 10, 2025 15:47