Sargent is located in Custer County on the banks of the Middle Loup River in central Nebraska. With its scenic river front location at the start of the Sandhills of Nebraska, Sargent is the Key to the Middle Loup Valley.

The roots of Sargent began in 1879 when a post office was established a mile east of the present town. When Ezra Savage and Joseph Thomas started the town in 1882, a commission was issued to Mrs. Ruth A. Sherman authorizing her as postmistress. She named it Sargent in honor of close friends Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Sargent of Streator, Illinois.

The village of Sargent, laid out in 1883, is one of the oldest settlements in Custer County. Located about a mile north of the Middle Loup River, it was described as a "hustling village of over 800 inhabitants" in 1919. The population peaked in 1920 with over 1,000 residents.

J.K.Spacht built the first store, a general merchandise store, in 1883 in the middle of a wheat field. The first bank in Custer County was also built in Sargent, along with the first furniture store. The town grew rapidly and was "particularly lively" in the summer of 1888 when the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad grade was built. The railroad line was completed from Arcadia to Sargent in the fall of 1899, with Sargent remaining the terminus. The town showed even more substantial growth at that time.

In 1900 an independent telephone company extended its line from Broken Bow to Sargent. That same year a two-story school was built. Students were taught by three full-time teachers and the school system was considered one of the best schools of the county. There was a Congregational and a Methodist church and a business district of several blocks. Listed among the numerous businesses were two newspapers, two banks, two grain elevators and a creamery.

Today, over 100 years later, Sargent is still a wonderful community to live in although the passage of time and the changing world has taken a toll on the town. Like many rural towns around America, the population has been steadily declining. The current population is 650.

The town has maintained its strong educational system with a K-12 accredited school. Residents are quite proud of their school's "Sargent Bulldog" sports teams. This support is shown in a variety of ways, including having the Bulldog mascot emblazoned on the freshly painted water tower for all to admire.

There are over fifty businesses in town. These range from a grain elevator to personalized graphic design services. Many of the businesses are agriculture-related due to the rural location of the town.

Local residents enjoy being involved in the community through an assortment of clubs. Among the more traditional organizations are square dancing, 4-H and Ladies Auxiliary. In addition there are clubs for economic advancement of women, golfing and a large array of clubs for children and teens.

Primary access to the town is Highway 183 due to the closing of the railroad in 1985. Broken Bow, 30 miles southwest of Sargent, is the County seat.

Sargent is known as the home of "Oscar's Palladium". Oscar's Palladium was owned by the late Oscar Melham. The Palladium once boasted that famous big band era bands came to perform such as Lawrence Welk, Bobby Mills, and Guy Lombardo. People came hundreds of miles to dance and listen to the music provided. The Palladium still stands to this day and serves as a community hall. Thanks to the ongoing efforts of town residents the necessary funds have been raised, and the Community Center is now open and available to the town.