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Gretna, Nebraska
Downtown looking south on Mc Kenna Ave
Downtown looking south on Mc Kenna Ave
Gretna, Nebraska is located in Nebraska
Gretna, Nebraska
Gretna, Nebraska
Location in Nebraska
Gretna, Nebraska is located in the United States
Gretna, Nebraska
Gretna, Nebraska
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Nebraska
County Sarpy
Area
 • Total 2.43 sq mi (6.30 km2)
 • Land 2.43 sq mi (6.30 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
1,270 ft (387 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 4,441
 • Density 2,078.06/sq mi (802.27/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (Central (CST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
68028
Area code(s) 402
FIPS code 31-20260
GNIS feature ID 829697
Website http://www.gretnane.org/
Meat Market, Gretna NB
Meat Market in Gretna, circa 1895

Gretna is a city in Sarpy County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 4,441 at the 2010 census.

History

Gretna started shortly after the Burlington Railroad built a short line between Omaha and Ashland in the summer of 1886. Advent of the village of Gretna on this new laid rail line was the cue for the exit of the nearby trading post of Forest City, which had existed since 1856. In its day, Forest City, located 2.5 miles southwest of where Gretna now stands, was a flourishing and busy place, but it was doomed by the rail road which passed it by. The only marker that exists today to show the site of old Forest City is the cemetery (Holy Sepulcher) which is located a little to the east of what was the center of activity in the settlement. Names that were prominent in the beginnings of Forest City were the families of William Langdon, John Thomas and John Conner.

The Lincoln Land Company, recognizing the potential of the site, surveyed and platted the town site of Gretna in 1887. The village was incorporated by July 10, 1889. The name suggests Scotland's Gretna Green, the ancestral county of some of the earliest settlers.

Geography

Gretna is located at 41°8′20″N 96°14′42″W / 41.13889°N 96.24500°W / 41.13889; -96.24500 (41.138898, -96.244947).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 2.10 square miles (5.44 km2), all of it land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 255
1900 466 82.7%
1910 484 3.9%
1920 491 1.4%
1930 477 −2.9%
1940 482 1.0%
1950 438 −9.1%
1960 745 70.1%
1970 1,557 109.0%
1980 1,609 3.3%
1990 2,249 39.8%
2000 2,355 4.7%
2010 4,441 88.6%
2019 (est.) 5,058 13.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
2013 Estimate

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 4,441 people, 1,594 households, and 1,139 families living in the city. The population density was 2,114.8 inhabitants per square mile (816.5/km2). There were 1,671 housing units at an average density of 795.7 per square mile (307.2/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 1,594 households, of which 43.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.5% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.29.

The median age in the city was 34.5 years. 31.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.7% were from 25 to 44; 21.4% were from 45 to 64; and 12.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.0% male and 51.0% female.

Community and culture

The nearest hospitals are Lakeside Hospital (9.5 miles away), located in Omaha, or Midlands Hospital in Papillion (11.4 miles). Papillion is also the location of the county courthouse.

Education

Bond issues

Gretna Public Schools has passed several bond issues to build new facilities. Gretna's school bonds have become the third highest bond levy tax burden for property owners in the state. Gretna has a bond levy of 0.33456, with only Bennington and Elkhorn ranking higher, each with a bond levy of .34.

2022 School Board Elections

In 2022 Gretna Public Schools had an influx of candidates file for candidacy for the 2022 election. Ten candidates are on the ballot with the primary election being May 10, 2022.

Notable people

  • Andy Janovich, professional football player

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Gretna (Nebraska) para niños

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