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Douglas County, Nebraska facts for kids

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Not to be confused with Douglas, Nebraska.
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Douglas County
County
Douglas County Courthouse in Omaha
Douglas County Courthouse in Omaha
Official seal of Douglas County
Seal
 Official logo of Douglas County
Logo
Map of Nebraska highlighting Douglas County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Nebraska
Founded November 23, 1854
Named for Stephen A. Douglas
Seat Omaha
Largest city Omaha
Area
 • Total 339 sq mi (880 km2)
 • Land 328 sq mi (850 km2)
 • Water 11 sq mi (30 km2)  3.2%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 584,526
 • Estimate 
(2023)
 589,540 Increase
 • Density 1,724.3/sq mi (665.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Douglas County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population is 584,526. It is the state's most populous county, home to just under 30% of Nebraska's residents. Its county seat is Omaha, the state's largest city. The county was established in 1854 and named after Stephen A. Douglas (1813–1861), who was then serving as a U.S. senator from Illinois.

Douglas County is part of the Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE-IA Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Douglas County was represented by the prefix "1" (as it had the largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922). In 2002, the state discontinued the 1922 system in the three most populous counties: Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy counties.

Geography

Douglas County is on the eastern border of Nebraska. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of Iowa, across the Missouri River. The Elkhorn River runs southward through the west-central part of Douglas County, and it is bordered on east (Missouri River) and west (Platte River) by rivers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 339 square miles (880 km2), of which 328 square miles (850 km2) is land and 11 square miles (28 km2) (3.2%) is water.

Major highways

  • I-80.svg Interstate 80
  • I-480.svg Interstate 480
  • I-680.svg Interstate 680
  • US 6.svg U.S. Highway 6
  • US 75.svg U.S. Highway 75
  • US 275.svg U.S. Highway 275
  • N-31.svg Nebraska Highway 31
  • N-36.svg Nebraska Highway 36
  • N-50.svg Nebraska Highway 50
  • N-64.svg Nebraska Highway 64
  • N-85.svg Nebraska Highway 85
  • N-92.svg Nebraska Highway 92
  • N-133.svg Nebraska Highway 133

Transit

  • Amtrak California Zephyr (Omaha station)
  • Burlington Trailways (Omaha Bus Station)
  • Express Arrow (Omaha Bus Station)
  • Jefferson Lines (Omaha Bus Station)
  • Metro Transit

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

  • Bluestem Prairie Preserve
  • Two Rivers State Recreation Area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 4,328 —
1870 19,982 361.7%
1880 37,645 88.4%
1890 158,008 319.7%
1900 140,590 −11.0%
1910 168,546 19.9%
1920 204,524 21.3%
1930 232,982 13.9%
1940 247,562 6.3%
1950 281,020 13.5%
1960 343,490 22.2%
1970 389,455 13.4%
1980 397,038 1.9%
1990 416,444 4.9%
2000 463,585 11.3%
2010 517,110 11.5%
2020 584,526 13.0%
2023 (est.) 589,540 14.0%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2019

2020 census

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 584,526 people in the county. The population density was 1,724 people per square mile (666 people/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 68.8% White, 11.5% Black or African American, 1.2% Native American, 4.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.8% from two or more races. 12.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 517,110 people and 206,522 households in the county. The population density was 1,574 people per square mile (608 people/km2). There were 219,580 housing units at an average density of 669 units per square mile (258/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 76.4% White, 11.6% Black or African American, 0.7% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.7% from some other race, and 2.8% from two or more races. 11.2% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 30% were of German, 15% Irish, 8.0% English, and 4.9% Italian ancestry.

The median income for a household in the county was $51,878, and the median income for a family was $67,666. Males had a median income of $44,542 versus $35,801 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,092. About 9.4% of families and 13.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 8.0% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

School districts include:

  • Arlington Public Schools
  • Bennington Public Schools
  • Douglas County West Community Schools
  • Elkhorn Public Schools
  • Fort Calhoun Community Schools
  • Fremont Public Schools
  • Gretna Public Schools
  • Millard Public Schools
  • Omaha Public Schools
  • Ralston Public Schools
  • Westside Community Schools
  • Yutan Public Schools

A state-operated school, Nebraska School for the Deaf, was formerly in the county.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Douglas (Nebraska) para niños

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