Friend, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Friend, Nebraska
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Friend police station, May 2013
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Location of Friend, Nebraska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Saline |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.83 sq mi (2.14 km2) |
| • Land | 0.83 sq mi (2.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,558 ft (475 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 954 |
| • Density | 1,153.57/sq mi (445.38/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
68359
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| Area code(s) | 402 |
| FIPS code | 31-17775 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394827 |
| Website | City of Friend |
Friend is a small city in Saline County, Nebraska, in the United States. In 2020, about 954 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a unique history.
Contents
History of Friend, Nebraska
How Friend Got Its Name
The city of Friend is named after Charles E. Friend. He was the first person to settle on the land and build a home there. He originally called the area "Friendville." Charles Friend also ran a store and the local post office. In 1873, a new train station was built by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad. The railroad decided to name the station "Friend," and the town's name stuck.
The National Greyhound Association
In 1906, an important group called the National Greyhound Association was started in Friend. This group helps with the sport of Coursing, which involves dogs chasing a lure.
The Smallest Police Station
Friend was once famous for having what was called the "smallest police station in the world." It was just a tiny shed! This was even featured in Ripley's Believe It or Not!. Later, in the 1960s, the shed was made a bit bigger. This allowed the Nebraska State Patrol to also use it. Even then, Friend still said it had the smallest combined police station. The old station was taken down in 2015. Now, a neon sign stands in its place.
Geography
Friend is located in Nebraska. The United States Census Bureau says the city covers about 0.83 square miles (2.14 square kilometers). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 555 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,347 | 142.7% | |
| 1900 | 1,200 | −10.9% | |
| 1910 | 1,261 | 5.1% | |
| 1920 | 1,263 | 0.2% | |
| 1930 | 1,214 | −3.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,169 | −3.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,148 | −1.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,069 | −6.9% | |
| 1970 | 1,126 | 5.3% | |
| 1980 | 1,079 | −4.2% | |
| 1990 | 1,111 | 3.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,174 | 5.7% | |
| 2010 | 1,027 | −12.5% | |
| 2020 | 954 | −7.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Friend's Population in 2010
In 2010, there were 1,027 people living in Friend. These people lived in 431 homes. Most of the people in Friend were White. A small number of people were from other backgrounds, including African American, Native American, and Asian. About 2.4% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Friend was about 47.9 years old. Many residents were adults, with a good number of people aged 65 or older. About 22% of the residents were under 18 years old.
Education
The local schools in Friend are part of the Friend Public Schools district. This district provides education for the children living in the city.
Famous People From Friend
- Elvin C. Drake: He was a very successful track and field coach. He led the UCLA Bruins to win a national championship in 1956.
- John L. Loos: An American historian who was born in Friend in 1918.
- Anna Louise Strong: A well-known journalist and activist.
- Thad Weber: A professional baseball player who played for teams like the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays.
- John William Miller: An important aviation engineer.
See also
In Spanish: Friend (Nebraska) para niños
