Webster County, Nebraska

Geography

Webster County lies along the south line of Nebraska. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of Kansas. The terrain of Webster County consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the east. The more planar areas of the county are used for agriculture, mostly under center pivot irrigation.

The Republican River flows eastward across the lower part of the county. The county has an area of 575 sqmi, of which 575 sqmi is land and 0.1 sqmi (0.02%) is water.

Major highways

• [[File:US 136.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 136
• [[File:US 281.svg|25px]] U.S. Highway 281
• [[File:N-4.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 4
• [[File:N-78.svg|20px]] Nebraska Highway 78

Adjacent counties

• Adams County - north
• Clay County - northeast
• Nuckolls County - east
• Jewell County, Kansas - southeast
• Smith County, Kansas - southwest
• Franklin County - west
• Kearney County - northwest

Protected areas

• Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area
• Liberty Cove Recreation Area

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 3,395. The median age was 45.6 years. 22.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 98.0 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 93.1% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 4.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.4% of the population.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,454 households in the county, of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 1,788 housing units, of which 18.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.4% were owner-occupied and 22.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 15.8%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census there were 4,061 people, 1,708 households, and 1,118 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 /mi2. There were 1,972 housing units at an average density of 3 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 98.10% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 50.7% were of German, 9.7% English, 8.3% American and 7.6% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,708 households, out of which 26.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 5.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 32.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

The county population contained 23.60% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 24.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,026, and the median income for a family was $36,513. Males had a median income of $26,555 versus $18,480 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,802. About 7.70% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Blue Hill
• Red Cloud (county seat)

Villages

• Bladen
• Cowles
• Guide Rock

Census-designated place

• Inavale

Unincorporated communities

• Amboy
• Rosemont

Politics

Webster County voters are reliably Republican. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

, county elected officials include:

• Commissioners:
  • District 1: Dan Shipman
  • District 2: Trevor Karr
  • District 3: TJ Vance
  • District 4: Tim Gilbert
  • District 5: Gary Ratzlaff
• Sheriff: Troy Schmitz

References

References

1. "County Population Totals: 2020-2021". US Census Bureau.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
3. "Webster County".
4. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Webster+County,+NE/@40.1908302,-98.6516203,36469m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x879856dda34c0c43:0xdd7d22f1ae7ca553!8m2!3d40.2357266!4d-98.5721016 ''Webster County NE'' Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)]
5. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau.
6. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Indian+Creek+State+Wildlife+Management+Area,+Red+Cloud,+NE+68970/@40.0683729,-98.5340007,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x879856dda34c0c43:0xdd7d22f1ae7ca553!2sWebster+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.2357266!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x8798f5cd1f8b2fa9:0x341b2c1a9dec16c2!8m2!3d40.0685309!4d-98.5309068 ''Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area, Red Cloud NE'' Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)]
7. [https://www.google.com/maps/place/Liberty+Cove+Recreation+Area/@40.2250967,-98.3803662,12.75z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x879856dda34c0c43:0xdd7d22f1ae7ca553!2sWebster+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.2357266!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87984df0c8910f43:0xc647ccd8a8583ad7!8m2!3d40.2678692!4d-98.3060932 ''Liberty Cove Recreation Area'' Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)]
8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau.
11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau.
12. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau.
13. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
15. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
16. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. [http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]