Saunders County, Nebraska

History

Saunders County was established by an 1856 act of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature, and was organized in 1866; its boundaries were redefined in 1858. It was originally named Calhoun County after John Calhoun, surveyor general of Kansas and Nebraska. Other sources contend that it was named for John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. In 1862, during the American Civil War, it was renamed after Nebraska territorial governor Alvin Saunders.

The first town in Saunders County was Ashland, then known as Saline Ford. Settlers continuing west from Nebraska City would often follow the Platte River across the state. To do so, they would have to cross the Salt Creek. A limestone-bottomed section of the creek near Ashland offered the safest opportunity. Permanent settlers occupied the area in the 1850s and the town of Ashland was officially formed in 1866.

Ashland served as the county seat of government beginning with the first elections in 1867. A courthouse was constructed in 1870. As Saunders County grew, residents realized they wanted a more centrally located seat of government. A vote was held in 1873 and Wahoo was selected to replace Ashland. The new courthouse was built in 1874. That building served the county until 1904 when a new building was constructed. The 1904 courthouse is still in use as of 2025.

Geography

Saunders County is bordered on the north and east by the Platte River. Several local drainages move runoff water from the county eastward into the Platte. The county terrain is composed of low rolling hills, which slope eastward and northeastward to the river valley. The county has an area of 760 sqmi, of which 750 sqmi is land and 9.6 sqmi (1.3%) is water.

Major highways

• [[File:US 6.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 6
• [[File:US 77.svg|20px]] U.S. Highway 77
• [[File:N-64.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 64
• [[File:N-66.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 66
• [[File:N-79.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 79
• [[File:N-92.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 92
• [[File:N-109.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 109

Adjacent counties

• Douglas County – east
• Sarpy County – east
• Cass County – southeast
• Lancaster County – south
• Butler County – west
• Dodge County – north

Protected areas

• Bramble State Wildlife Management Area
• Czechland Lake Recreation and Wildlife Management Area
• Jack Sinn Memorial State Wildlife Management Area
• Memphis Lake State Recreation Area
• Pioneer State Recreation Area

Demographics

| align-fn = center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 22,278. The median age was 41.2 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.6% of the population.

21.5% of residents lived in urban areas, while 78.5% lived in rural areas.

There were 8,667 households in the county, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 9,987 housing units, of which 13.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 79.6% were owner-occupied and 20.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 20,778 people and 8,040 households. The population density was 28 /mi2. There were 9,221 housing units at an average density of 12.3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 97.2% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2010.P1?t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&g=050XX00US31155&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20(PL%2094-171)

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, there were 19,830 people, 7,498 households, and 5,443 families in the county. The population density was 26 /mi2. There were 8,266 housing units at an average density of 11 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,498 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.11.

The county population contained 27.90% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,173, and the median income for a family was $49,443. Males had a median income of $33,309 versus $22,922 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,392. About 5.30% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.30% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Ashland
• Wahoo (county seat)
• Yutan

Villages

• Cedar Bluffs
• Ceresco
• Colon
• Ithaca
• Leshara
• Malmo
• Mead
• Memphis
• Morse Bluff
• Prague
• Valparaiso
• Weston

Census-designated place

• Wann

Townships

• Ashland
• Bohemia
• Center
• Chapman
• Chester
• Clear Creek
• Douglas
• Elk
• Green
• Leshara
• Marble
• Marietta
• Mariposa
• Morse Bluff
• Newman
• North Cedar
• Oak Creek
• Pohocco
• Richland
• Rock Creek
• South Cedar
• Stocking
• Union
• Wahoo

Politics

Saunders County voters tend to vote Republican. In only two national elections since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024)

References

References

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2. "Saunders County, Nebraska". [[United States Census Bureau]].
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7. Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder. (1925). "Nebraska Place-Names". University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism.
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15. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Saunders+County,+NE/@41.1037266,-96.6567052,16671m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8796b23a28b0253b:0x9ab4f1c1eb6073b9!8m2!3d41.168563!4d-96.663812 ''Saunders County NE'' Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]
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18. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Czechland+Lake+Recreation+and+Wldlf+Mgt+Area,+Prague,+NE+68050/@41.3214494,-96.8462332,13.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8796b23a28b0253b:0x9ab4f1c1eb6073b9!2sSaunders+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d41.168563!4d-96.663812!3m4!1s0x87913eb07bcc4c1f:0x94521c3c3bb60505!8m2!3d41.3328369!4d-96.8257284 ''Czechland Lake Recreation and Wldlf Mgt Area, Prague NE'' Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]
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20. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Memphis+Lake+State+Recreation+Area/@41.0942577,-96.6226677,12z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8796b23a28b0253b:0x9ab4f1c1eb6073b9!2sSaunders+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d41.168563!4d-96.663812!3m4!1s0x8791552d399e69c7:0x7dcbcdde6056c47b!8m2!3d41.1025094!4d-96.4390182 ''Memphis Lake State Recreation Area'' Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]
21. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pioneer+State+Recreation+Area,+Wahoo,+NE+68066/@41.1144284,-96.6251724,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8796b23a28b0253b:0x9ab4f1c1eb6073b9!2sSaunders+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d41.168563!4d-96.663812!3m4!1s0x87914ce1bd22974d:0x653447237c771d88!8m2!3d41.1139975!4d-96.6217288 ''Pioneer State Recreation Area, Wahoo NE'' Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]
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27. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
28. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
29. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
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31. [https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]