Dakota County, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dakota County
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Dakota County courthouse in Dakota City
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Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
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 Nebraska's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  Nebraska |
| Founded | March 7, 1855 |
| Named for | Dakota people |
| Seat | Dakota City |
| Largest city | South Sioux City |
| Area | |
| • Total | 267 sq mi (690 km2) |
| • Land | 264 sq mi (680 km2) |
| • Water | 3.2 sq mi (8 km2) 1.2%% |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 21,582 |
| • Density | 76.5/sq mi (29.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
Dakota County is a special area in the state of Nebraska, USA. It's like a smaller region within the state. In 2020, about 21,582 people lived here. The main town, or county seat, is Dakota City.
Dakota County is also part of a bigger area called the Sioux City Metropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes parts of Iowa and South Dakota.
When you see a Nebraska license plate, Dakota County used to be known by the number 70. This number showed that it had the 70th largest number of cars when the system started in 1922.
Contents
History of Dakota County
For thousands of years, different groups of indigenous peoples lived along the Missouri River. Around 1775, the Omaha people settled near the Missouri River. They built a large village called Ton-wa-tonga, which means "Big Village."
The Omaha people were important for trading furs on the upper Missouri River. They traded with other tribes and with French-Canadian traders. They were also one of the first tribes in the Northern Plains to use horses.
European-American settlers officially created Dakota County in 1855. They named it after the Dakota Sioux tribe. This tribe was very powerful in the areas of Nebraska and South Dakota at that time.
In 2020, Dakota County faced a big health challenge. Many people, especially those working at a large meat packing plant in Dakota City, became sick. The community worked together to help everyone stay safe and healthy.
Geography of Dakota County
Dakota County is located in the northeast part of Nebraska. Its eastern border is the Missouri River. Across the river are the states of South Dakota and Iowa.
The land in the county has rolling hills and flat areas near the rivers. The US Census Bureau says Dakota County covers about 267 square miles. Most of this is land, and a small part is water. It is the second-smallest county in Nebraska by land area.
Main Roads in Dakota County
Interstate 129
U.S. Highway 20
U.S. Highway 75
U.S. Highway 77
Nebraska Highway 9
Nebraska Highway 12
Nebraska Highway 35
Nebraska Highway 110
Neighboring Counties
- Union County, South Dakota - to the northeast
- Woodbury County, Iowa - to the east
- Thurston County - to the south
- Dixon County - to the west
People of Dakota County (Demographics)
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 819 | — | |
| 1870 | 2,040 | 149.1% | |
| 1880 | 3,213 | 57.5% | |
| 1890 | 5,386 | 67.6% | |
| 1900 | 6,286 | 16.7% | |
| 1910 | 6,564 | 4.4% | |
| 1920 | 7,694 | 17.2% | |
| 1930 | 9,505 | 23.5% | |
| 1940 | 9,836 | 3.5% | |
| 1950 | 10,401 | 5.7% | |
| 1960 | 12,168 | 17.0% | |
| 1970 | 13,137 | 8.0% | |
| 1980 | 16,573 | 26.2% | |
| 1990 | 16,742 | 1.0% | |
| 2000 | 20,253 | 21.0% | |
| 2010 | 21,006 | 3.7% | |
| 2020 | 21,582 | 2.7% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 21,042 | 0.2% | |
| US Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013 2020-2022 |
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The 2020 United States Census showed that Dakota County is home to many different people. About 43.3% of the people were White (not Hispanic). About 7.4% were African American, and 2.8% were Asian. A large group, about 40.8%, were hispanic.
In 2010, there were 21,006 people living in 7,314 households. The population included people who identified as White, Black or African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander. Many people also identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In 2000, about 30.5% of the people were under 18 years old. About 9.9% were 65 years or older. The average age in the county was 31 years.
Towns and Villages
Cities
- Dakota City (This is the county seat, the main town for county government)
- South Sioux City
Villages
Other Communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Dakota (Nebraska) para niños
