Nuckolls County, Nebraska

Coordinates: 40°11′N 98°03′W / 40.18°N 98.05°W / 40.18; -98.05
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Nuckolls County
County
Nuckolls County Courthouse in Nelson
Nuckolls County Courthouse in Nelson
Map of Nebraska highlighting Nuckolls 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°11′N 98°03′W / 40.18°N 98.05°W / 40.18; -98.05
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1860 (founded)
1871 (organized)
Named forStephen Friel Nuckolls
SeatNelson
Largest citySuperior
Area
 • Total576 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (2 km2)  0.1%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
4,060
 • Density7.43/sq mi (2.87/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.nuckollscounty.ne.gov

Nuckolls County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 4,095.[1] Its county seat is Nelson.[2]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Nuckolls County is represented by the prefix 42 (it had the 42nd-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History[edit]

19th century[edit]

Nuckolls County was formed in 1860, and was organized in 1871.[3][4] It was named after brothers Lafayette Nuckolls, a member of the first Nebraska territorial legislature, and Stephen Friel Nuckolls, a pioneering Nebraska settler, businessman and banker.[5] Nuckolls was also a notorious slaveowner who was followed by national news in 1860 when he tracked down an enslaved person he owned, named Eliza Grayson. She had escaped from him via the Underground Railroad two years earlier. With the help of a professional kidnapper they attempted to remove the woman from Chicago, where she was found, only to be arrested by local law enforcement. Nuckolls and the enslaved woman were put in the Chicago jail, only for an abolitionist mob to free her and shuttle her away to Canada. Nuckolls went on to prominence and admiration in Nebraska after sympathizing with the Confederate states during the civil war.[6]

In 1887, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway built a branch line from Neva, Kansas (3 miles west of Strong City) to Superior, Nebraska. At some point, the rails were removed from Neva, KS to Lost Springs, KS, but the right-of-way has not been abandoned. As of 2020, the BNSF Line from Superior, NE to Lost Springs, KS was active and carrying rail traffic to and from Superior. This branch line was originally called "Strong City and Superior line" but later the name was shortened to the "Strong City line". In 1996, the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway merged with Burlington Northern Railroad, renamed to the current BNSF Railway. Most locals still refer to this railroad as the "Santa Fe".

Geography[edit]

Nuckolls County lies on the south line of Nebraska. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of Kansas. The Republican River flows southeastward through the SW corner of the county The upper county area is drained by two creeks, Elk Creek and Oxbow Creek, that flow northeastward to discharge into Crooked Creek, which then flows eastward into adjacent Thayer County. The Nuckolls County terrain consists of vegetation-covered rolling hills, sloped to the east. A portion of the area is dedicated to agriculture, especially in the northeast corner.[7]

Nuckolls county has a total area of 576 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 575 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.[8]

Major highways[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Protected areas[edit]

  • Smartweed Marsh State Wildlife Management Area[9]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
186022—
18708−63.6%
18804,23552,837.5%
189011,417169.6%
190012,4148.7%
191013,0194.9%
192013,2361.7%
193012,629−4.6%
194012,7811.2%
195010,973−14.1%
19608,217−25.1%
19707,404−9.9%
19806,726−9.2%
19907,58612.8%
20005,057−33.3%
20104,500−11.0%
20204,095−9.0%
2021 (est.)4,060[1]−0.9%
US Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010-2013[14]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[15] there were 5,057 people, 2,218 households, and 1,443 families in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (3.5 people/km2). There were 2,530 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.91% White, 0.02% Black or African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.16% Asian, 0.53% from other races, and 0.32% from two or more races. 1.01% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 2,218 households, out of which 26.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.80% were married couples living together, 4.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 32.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.86.

The county population contained 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.40% from 18 to 24, 22.50% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 24.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,958, and the median income for a family was $35,018. Males had a median income of $24,533 versus $17,806 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,608. About 6.50% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.70% of those under age 18 and 8.90% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Villages[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Politics[edit]

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

United States presidential election results for Nuckolls County, Nebraska[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 1,857 80.56% 409 17.74% 39 1.69%
2016 1,726 78.28% 353 16.01% 126 5.71%
2012 1,574 71.84% 568 25.92% 49 2.24%
2008 1,498 67.45% 657 29.58% 66 2.97%
2004 1,884 76.24% 541 21.89% 46 1.86%
2000 1,701 69.63% 644 26.36% 98 4.01%
1996 1,383 56.01% 757 30.66% 329 13.33%
1992 1,277 43.16% 834 28.19% 848 28.66%
1988 1,750 60.53% 1,114 38.53% 27 0.93%
1984 2,132 68.82% 947 30.57% 19 0.61%
1980 2,180 66.42% 899 27.39% 203 6.19%
1976 1,753 54.37% 1,424 44.17% 47 1.46%
1972 2,089 67.65% 999 32.35% 0 0.00%
1968 1,894 59.32% 1,127 35.30% 172 5.39%
1964 1,546 41.48% 2,181 58.52% 0 0.00%
1960 2,441 60.86% 1,570 39.14% 0 0.00%
1956 2,672 64.28% 1,485 35.72% 0 0.00%
1952 3,251 70.34% 1,371 29.66% 0 0.00%
1948 2,036 52.71% 1,827 47.29% 0 0.00%
1944 2,685 62.56% 1,607 37.44% 0 0.00%
1940 3,017 61.70% 1,873 38.30% 0 0.00%
1936 2,317 44.81% 2,778 53.72% 76 1.47%
1932 1,812 33.98% 3,420 64.13% 101 1.89%
1928 3,299 65.63% 1,684 33.50% 44 0.88%
1924 2,595 54.02% 1,596 33.22% 613 12.76%
1920 2,637 64.07% 1,337 32.48% 142 3.45%
1916 1,411 43.51% 1,732 53.41% 100 3.08%
1912 738 24.46% 1,312 43.49% 967 32.05%
1908 1,519 49.19% 1,523 49.32% 46 1.49%
1904 1,615 60.99% 585 22.09% 448 16.92%
1900 1,471 49.08% 1,480 49.38% 46 1.53%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "County Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). Nebraska Place-Names. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism. p. 107. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  4. ^ Andreas, A. T. (1882). "Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska". The Kansas Collection. Archived from the original on May 10, 2003. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  5. ^ "Nuckolls County". Nebraska Association of County Officials. Retrieved December 15, 2014., List of counties in Nebraska.
  6. ^ "How Eliza Grayson escaped Nebraska slavery" by David Bristow on 9/1/2020 for History Nebraska.
  7. ^ Nuckolls County NE Google Maps (accessed 25 January 2019)
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  9. ^ Smartweed Marsh State Wildlife Management Area, Edgar NE Google Maps (accessed 25 January 2019)
  10. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 9, 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 9, 2014.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  16. ^ Election Results

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Nuckolls County, Nebraska.

40°11′N 98°03′W / 40.18°N 98.05°W / 40.18; -98.05

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