Bennet, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bennet, Nebraska
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Village
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Bennet, seen from the south along Nebraska Highway 43
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Location of Bennet, Nebraska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Lancaster |
| Founded | July 29, 1871 |
| Incorporated | October 1, 1881 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.518 sq mi (1.343 km2) |
| • Land | 0.518 sq mi (1.343 km2) |
| • Water | 0.000 sq mi (0.000 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,299 ft (396 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,082 |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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1,080 |
| • Density | 2,083/sq mi (804.3/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP Code |
68317
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| Area code(s) | 402 and 531 |
| FIPS code | 31-04300 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2398094 |
| Sales tax | 6.5% |
Bennet is a village in Lancaster County, Nebraska, United States. It is part of the Lincoln, Nebraska Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,082 at the 2020 census.
History
Bennet was founded on July 29, 1871 when the railroad was extended to that point. The village was founded on land previously owned by William Roggenkamp as a station for a rail line being laid by the Midland Pacific Railway which ran from Lincoln to Nebraska City. It was originally named Bennett's Station for John Bennett, officer of the Midland Pacific Railway. The town was incorporated on October 1, 1881.
By the early 1900s, the village had become a prosperous commercial and social center for the area. At this time, the nearby town of Lincoln was still relatively small and remote. Beginning with the Great Depression, Bennet's population declined, local businesses closed, and many moved to cities for work.
Today, Bennet has a similar status as many former business centers in Lancaster County as Lincoln has become the political, financial, commercial, and cultural center of the county. However, Bennet has experienced a recent population growth as more and more people have begun living in Bennet despite working in Lincoln. According to a community-wide survey conducted in 1992, 76% of Bennet's residents commute to work in Lincoln. A recent survey indicated that 44% of people who moved to Bennet did so because of the small town atmosphere, citing a lower cost of living, cleaner air, and a good school system.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.518 square miles (1.34 km2), all land.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 214 | — | |
| 1890 | 474 | 121.5% | |
| 1900 | 495 | 4.4% | |
| 1910 | 457 | −7.7% | |
| 1920 | 473 | 3.5% | |
| 1930 | 428 | −9.5% | |
| 1940 | 412 | −3.7% | |
| 1950 | 396 | −3.9% | |
| 1960 | 381 | −3.8% | |
| 1970 | 489 | 28.3% | |
| 1980 | 523 | 7.0% | |
| 1990 | 544 | 4.0% | |
| 2000 | 570 | 4.8% | |
| 2010 | 719 | 26.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,082 | 50.5% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 1,080 | 50.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 Census |
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2020 census
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White (NH) | 984 | 90.9% |
| Black or African American (NH) | 4 | 0.4% |
| Native American or Alaska Native (NH) | 0 | 0.0% |
| Asian (NH) | 2 | 0.2% |
| Pacific Islander (NH) | 1 | 0.1% |
| Some Other Race (NH) | 3 | 0.3% |
| Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 50 | 4.6% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 38 | 3.5% |
| Total | 1,082 | 100.0% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 1,082 people, 379 households, 287 families residing in the village. The population density was 2,076.8 inhabitants per square mile (801.9/km2). There were 395 housing units. The racial makeup of the village was 92.6% White, 0.4% African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from some other races and 6.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5% of the population.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 719 people, 286 households, and 199 families living in the village. The population density was 1,409.8 inhabitants per square mile (544.3/km2). There were 306 housing units at an average density of 600.0 units per square mile (231.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the village was 98.9% White, 0.1% Asian, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3% of the population.
There were 286 households, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.0% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.4% were non-families. 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.99.
The median age in the village was 32.9 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.7% were from 25 to 44; 20.7% were from 45 to 64; and 11.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 52.9% male and 47.1% female.
BNSF train derailment
On April 21, 2024, a 17-year-old boy is alleged to have intentionally changed the railroad switch, which caused a BNSF train to derail and collide with an empty coal car. The boy was seen on security footage getting his camera ready at the scene minutes before the incident. He uploaded the video to his YouTube channel, which he uploaded several train and railfan videos before. He was charged in Lancaster County court three months later and as of July 30, 2024, is facing up to 14 years in prison on 2 felony counts of criminal mischief and property damage.
See also
In Spanish: Bennet (Nebraska) para niños
