Kearney County, Nebraska

Coordinates: 40°31′N 98°57′W / 40.51°N 98.95°W / 40.51; -98.95
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Kearney County
Kearney County Courthouse in Minden
Kearney County Courthouse in Minden
Map of Nebraska highlighting Kearney County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°31′N 98°57′W / 40.51°N 98.95°W / 40.51; -98.95
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1860
Named forFort Kearny
SeatMinden
Largest cityMinden
Area
 • Total516 sq mi (1,340 km2)
 • Land516 sq mi (1,340 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)  0.02%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total6,688
 • Density13/sq mi (5.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.kearneycounty.ne.gov

Kearney County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 6,688.[1] Its county seat is Minden.[2] The county was formed in 1860. It was named for Fort Kearny, which in turn was named for Brigade General Stephen W. Kearny.

Kearney County is part of the Kearney Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Kearney County is represented by the prefix 52 (it had the 52nd-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography[edit]

The terrain of Kearney County consists of gently rolling low hills, mostly devoted to agriculture. The Platte River flows eastward along the north county boundary. The county has a total area of 516 square miles (1,340 km2), of which 516 square miles (1,340 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.2%) is water.[3]

Major highways[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Protected areas[edit]

  • Clark Federal Waterfowl Production Area[4]
  • Fort Kearny State Historical Park[5]
  • Fort Kearny State Recreation Area (partial)[6]
  • Jensen Lagoon National Wildlife Management Area[7]
  • Prairie Dog Federal Waterfowl Production Area[8]
  • Youngson Lagoon Natural Wildlife Production Area[9]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1860474
187058−87.8%
18804,0726,920.7%
18909,061122.5%
19009,8668.9%
19109,106−7.7%
19208,583−5.7%
19308,094−5.7%
19406,854−15.3%
19506,409−6.5%
19606,5802.7%
19706,7071.9%
19807,0535.2%
19906,629−6.0%
20006,8823.8%
20106,489−5.7%
20206,6883.1%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010[14]

As of the 2000 United States Census[15] there were 6,882 people, 2,643 households, and 1,902 families in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 2,846 housing units at an average density of 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.82% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.58% from two or more races. 2.34% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,643 households, out of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.90% were married couples living together, 6.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 80% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,247, and the median income for a family was $44,877. Males had a median income of $29,987 versus $20,081 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,118. About 5.50% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.00% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[edit]

City[edit]

Villages[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Ghost town[edit]

Townships[edit]

Notable people[edit]

Politics[edit]

Kearney County voters are strongly Republican. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Kearney County, Nebraska[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,822 78.02% 701 19.38% 94 2.60%
2016 2,531 76.79% 550 16.69% 215 6.52%
2012 2,349 73.87% 773 24.31% 58 1.82%
2008 2,224 70.60% 876 27.81% 50 1.59%
2004 2,621 77.57% 707 20.92% 51 1.51%
2000 2,333 74.73% 680 21.78% 109 3.49%
1996 1,953 64.07% 782 25.66% 313 10.27%
1992 1,756 53.72% 645 19.73% 868 26.55%
1988 2,121 65.99% 1,056 32.86% 37 1.15%
1984 2,508 76.89% 726 22.26% 28 0.86%
1980 2,512 71.16% 726 20.57% 292 8.27%
1976 1,830 58.58% 1,219 39.02% 75 2.40%
1972 2,203 74.38% 759 25.62% 0 0.00%
1968 1,806 64.00% 825 29.23% 191 6.77%
1964 1,352 43.35% 1,767 56.65% 0 0.00%
1960 2,065 62.05% 1,263 37.95% 0 0.00%
1956 2,158 64.80% 1,172 35.20% 0 0.00%
1952 2,422 72.26% 930 27.74% 0 0.00%
1948 1,440 50.70% 1,400 49.30% 0 0.00%
1944 1,782 58.45% 1,267 41.55% 0 0.00%
1940 1,792 53.44% 1,561 46.56% 0 0.00%
1936 1,214 32.71% 2,445 65.89% 52 1.40%
1932 1,129 31.63% 2,367 66.32% 73 2.05%
1928 2,426 68.28% 1,093 30.76% 34 0.96%
1924 1,453 45.04% 1,243 38.53% 530 16.43%
1920 1,683 55.31% 1,273 41.83% 87 2.86%
1916 760 34.20% 1,396 62.83% 66 2.97%
1912 336 16.15% 1,012 48.65% 732 35.19%
1908 993 42.88% 1,174 50.69% 149 6.43%
1904 1,235 57.98% 396 18.59% 499 23.43%
1900 1,055 47.20% 1,109 49.62% 71 3.18%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Kearney County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  4. ^ Clark Federal Waterfowl Production Area, Axtell NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  5. ^ Fort Kearny State Historical Park Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  6. ^ Fort Kearny State Recreation Area, Gibbon NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  7. ^ Jensen Lagoon National Wildlife Mgt Area, Minden NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  8. ^ Prairie Dog Federal Waterfowl Production Area, Axtell NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  9. ^ Youngson Lagoon Nat Wildlife Mgt Area, Minden NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ "CURTIS, Carl Thomas, (1905 - 2000)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  17. ^ Election Results

External links[edit]

40°31′N 98°57′W / 40.51°N 98.95°W / 40.51; -98.95