Lexington, Nebraska

History

Lexington began as a frontier trading post in 1860. The post was later destroyed. Fort Plum Creek was established near its ruins in 1864. Lexington was founded in 1871. It was originally called Plum Creek.

Plum Creek railroad attack

About 3.5 miles west of Lexington on U.S. Route 30, a marker identifies the place () where a band of Cheyenne derailed a Union Pacific train on August 7, 1867, during construction of the first transcontinental railroad. Boxcars were looted and burned, and three employees were killed: the engineer, the fireman, and a hand-car operator.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.51 sqmi, of which 4.50 sqmi is land, and 0.01 sqmi is water.

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Lexington has a hot-summer humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded in Lexington was 114 F on July 11–12, 1954, while the coldest temperature recorded was -27 F on December 22, 1983.

|Jan record high F = 75 |Feb record high F = 80 |Mar record high F = 96 |Apr record high F = 98 |May record high F = 102 |Jun record high F = 110 |Jul record high F = 114 |Aug record high F = 106 |Sep record high F = 105 |Oct record high F = 95 |Nov record high F = 85 |Dec record high F = 77

|Jan avg record high F = 61.8 |Feb avg record high F = 66.2 |Mar avg record high F = 77.8 |Apr avg record high F = 84.9 |May avg record high F = 90.8 |Jun avg record high F = 96.0 |Jul avg record high F = 97.8 |Aug avg record high F = 96.0 |Sep avg record high F = 93.0 |Oct avg record high F = 87.1 |Nov avg record high F = 74.3 |Dec avg record high F = 62.9 |year avg record high F = 99.5

|Jan avg record low F = -5.9 |Feb avg record low F = -1.5 |Mar avg record low F = 8.0 |Apr avg record low F = 21.9 |May avg record low F = 33.8 |Jun avg record low F = 46.8 |Jul avg record low F = 53.6 |Aug avg record low F = 50.7 |Sep avg record low F = 36.8 |Oct avg record low F = 21.8 |Nov avg record low F = 9.0 |Dec avg record low F = -2.2 |year avg record low F = -11.1

|Jan record low F = -29 |Feb record low F = -39 |Mar record low F = -17 |Apr record low F = 1 |May record low F = 10 |Jun record low F = 21 |Jul record low F = 36 |Aug record low F = 36 |Sep record low F = 21 |Oct record low F = 2 |Nov record low F = -12 |Dec record low F = -27

|Jan snow depth inch = 2.7 |Feb snow depth inch = 3.7 |Mar snow depth inch = 2.1 |Apr snow depth inch = 0.9 |May snow depth inch = 0.1 |Jun snow depth inch = 0.0 |Jul snow depth inch = 0.0 |Aug snow depth inch = 0.0 |Sep snow depth inch = 0.0 |Oct snow depth inch = 0.3 |Nov snow depth inch = 1.7 |Dec snow depth inch = 2.8 |year snow depth inch = 6.9

|access-date = June 15, 2023 |access-date = June 15, 2023

Demographics

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Lexington is the principal city of the Lexington, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Dawson and Gosper counties.

2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 10,348 people, 3,531 households, and 2,609 families in Lexington. The population density was 2,041.0 per square mile (788.7/km). There were 3,731 housing units at an average density of 735.9 per square mile (284.4/km). The racial makeup was 33.38% (3,454) white, 10.43% (1,079) black or African-American, 2.11% (218) Native American, 1.13% (117) Asian, 0.17% (18) Pacific Islander, 36.76% (3,804) from other races, and 16.02% (1,658) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 60.0% (6,121) of the population.

Of the 3,531 households, 43.3% had children under the age of 18; 49.8% were married couples living together; 19.5% had a female householder with no husband present. 18.1% of households consisted of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.8 and the average family size was 3.3.

29.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 19.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 114.5 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 121.9 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey estimates show that the median household income was $55,913 (with a margin of error of +/- $6,946) and the median family income $59,720 (+/- $6,835). Males had a median income of $35,099 (+/- $4,225) versus $26,953 (+/- $1,837) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,601 (+/- $3,983). Approximately, 10.8% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 10,230 people, 3,180 households, and 2,320 families living in the city. The population density was 2273.3 PD/sqmi. There were 3,403 housing units at an average density of 756.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 57.9% White, 6.6% African American, 1.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, 29.7% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 60.4% of the population.

There were 3,180 households, of which 45.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.9% were married couples living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.0% were non-families. 22.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.17, and the average family size was 3.70.

The median age in the city was 29.4 years. 32.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.4% were from 25 to 44; 21.2% were from 45 to 64, and 9.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 51.7% male and 48.3% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 10,011 people, 3,095 households, and 2,237 families living in the city. The population density was 3,401.7 PD/sqmi. There were 3,322 housing units at an average density of 1,128.8 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 64.20% White, 0.44% African American, 1.17% Native American, 1.10% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 30.78% from other races, and 2.30% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 51.15% of the population.

There were 3,095 households, out of which 43.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 21.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.14, and the average family size was 3.65.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 32.6% under the age of 18, 10.2% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 108.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 108.6 males.

As of 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $38,098, and the median income for a family was $43,571. Males had a median income of $25,207 versus $20,857 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,148. About 10.7% of families and 12.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those aged 65 or over.

Economy

In 1990, Iowa Beef Packers built a large beef packing plant in Lexington which employed about 3,200 people. In 2001, this facility was sold to Tyson Foods. In November 2025, Tyson Foods announced it would close the plant in January of 2026, laying off 3,200 employees.

Arts and culture

The Heartland Museum of Military Vehicles is located in Lexington adjacent to I-80.

The Dawson County Historical Society is a museum with the art pieces made by locals and objects such as cars, guns and household objects from former times that were owned by locals.

In 2020, the Association of Religion Data Archives found that Lexington had over 6,000 adherents of Protestant denominations and over 5,000 Catholics.

Media

;Radio KRVN (AM) and KRVN-FM are in Lexington, owned by the Nebraska Rural Radio Association. The radio network (KRVN (AM), KNEB (AM), and KTIC (AM)) is owned and operated by a cooperative of farmers and ranchers, which was founded in 1948 and started KRVN in 1951.

;Newspaper Lexington is served by the biweekly Lexington Clipper-Herald.

Sports

From 1956 to 1958, Lexington was home to the Lexington Red Sox, who were a minor league baseball team. Playing at the Dawson County Fairgrounds, the Red Sox were members of Nebraska State League as an affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. The 1956 Lexington Red Sox captured the Nebraska State League Championship.

Transportation

Highway

Two Major US Highways serve Lexington. U.S. Route 30 is East-West through the middle of town along the UPRR and old Lincoln highway corridor. U.S. Route 283 terminates at Hwy 30 near downtown. It provides connection to Interstate 80 3 miles to the south, and points further in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Nebraska Highway 21 is state highway connecting north to Broken Bow and southwest to Eustis.

Bus

Intercity bus service to the city is provided by Burlington Trailways and Express Arrow.

Rail

There is no passenger rail service to Lexington. The Union Pacific Overland Route does pass through town, and provides freight service for local grain elevators, ethanol, and meat packing plants.

Air

Two miles northwest of town, the Lexington Airport Authority operates a general aviation airport, Jim Kelly Field.

Education

It is in the Lexington Public Schools school district.

Notable people

• Bill Barrett (1929–2016) – U.S. representative for Nebraska
• Aage Brix (1894–1963) – soccer player and 1924 Olympian
• Yoskar Galván-Mercado (born 2003) – soccer player
• Monte Kiffin (1940–2024) – gridiron football player and coach
• Donald Roe Ross (1922–2013) – judge for the Eighth Circuit and mayor of Lexington
• Wee Willie Smith (1910–1996) – National Football League (NFL) player
• Mick Tingelhoff (1940–2021) – NFL player
• John Wightman (1938–2017) – Nebraska state politician and mayor of Lexington

References

References

1. "Administration - City of Lexington".
2. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau.
3. {{GNIS. 2395698
4. Hub, MALENA WARDKearney. (March 10, 2011). "Lexington officials believe 2010 Census didn't count many new immigrants".
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
6. link. (2011-01-15 , City of Lexington Official Homepage)
7. Burr, George L.. (1921). "History of Hamilton and Clay Counties, Nebraska, Volume 1". S.J. Clarke Publishing Company.
8. "Plum Creek Railroad Attack". [[Historical Marker Database]].
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". [[United States Census Bureau]].
10. "Explore Census Data".
11. "Explore Census Data".
12. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
13. (March 18, 2015). "Tyson plans $47 million expansion of Lexington beef plant". [[Lincoln Journal Star]].
14. Funk, Josh. (November 24, 2025). "Tyson's beef plant closure will impact a reliant town and ranchers nationwide".
15. Gonzalez, Cindy. (November 21, 2025). "Nebraskans lament Tyson decision to close Lexington plant with 3,200 workers". [[States Newsroom.
16. Peffer, Bailey. (2025-12-09). "Tyson plant closure in Lexington raises economic and legal concerns".
17. Polansek, Tom. (January 23, 2026). "Tyson Foods continues limited operations at closing US beef plant". Reuters.
18. (2024-09-08). "Congregational Membership Reports".
19. [http://lexch.com/site/about.html "About Us".] [http://lexch.com/ ''Lexington Clipper-Herald'' website.] Retrieved 2013-11-02.
20. "Dawson County Fairgrounds in Lexington, NE minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com".
21. "Nebraska State League Lexington Red Sox 1956".
22. (March 23, 2017). "Nebraska Bus Stops".
23. "Locations".
24. Geography Division. (January 14, 2021). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Dawson County, NE". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
25. "Aage Brix".
26. (February 8, 2022). "Union Omaha Academy Product Yoskar Galvan-Mercado Signs with First Team".