Hooper, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hooper, Nebraska
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Downtown Hooper: northwest corner of Main and Fulton
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Location of Hooper, Nebraska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Dodge |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.69 sq mi (1.79 km2) |
| • Land | 0.68 sq mi (1.76 km2) |
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,227 ft (374 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 857 |
| • Density | 1,258.44/sq mi (486.12/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
68031
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| Area code(s) | 402 |
| FIPS code | 31-23025 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2394414 |
Hooper is a small city located in Dodge County, Nebraska, in the United States. In 2020, about 857 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history connected to railroads.
Contents
History of Hooper
Hooper was founded in 1871. This happened after the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley Railroad built its tracks through the area. The city was named after Samuel Hooper, who was a US congressman from Massachusetts.
Railroad Changes Over Time
By the mid-1970s, the future of train service in Hooper became uncertain. The Chicago and North Western Transportation Company (C&NW), which owned the tracks, saw fewer goods being shipped by train.
In the spring of 1982, the Elkhorn River and Pebble Creek flooded. This flood badly damaged the train tracks. Because there was already less train traffic and now the tracks were damaged, the C&NW asked for permission to stop using the line. They were allowed to do this later that year. This meant the tracks in Hooper were no longer used for trains.
New Life for the Tracks
In 1986, train service returned to Hooper! A new company called the Fremont and Elkhorn Valley Railroad (FEVR) took over the old C&NW tracks. However, in 2003, a bridge north of Nickerson was found to be unsafe. This stopped FEVR from running trains through Hooper.
In the summer of 2021, the tracks were taken apart. This was done to create a new bike path. The path will follow the route where the old railroad used to be.
Geography of Hooper
Hooper is located in Nebraska. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city covers a total area of about 0.66 square miles (1.71 km2). Most of this area, about 0.65 square miles (1.68 km2), is land. A very small part, about 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2), is water.
Hooper's Population
The number of people living in Hooper has changed over the years. Here's a look at the population counts from different years:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1880 | 204 | — | |
| 1890 | 670 | 228.4% | |
| 1900 | 840 | 25.4% | |
| 1910 | 741 | −11.8% | |
| 1920 | 1,014 | 36.8% | |
| 1930 | 985 | −2.9% | |
| 1940 | 802 | −18.6% | |
| 1950 | 859 | 7.1% | |
| 1960 | 832 | −3.1% | |
| 1970 | 895 | 7.6% | |
| 1980 | 932 | 4.1% | |
| 1990 | 850 | −8.8% | |
| 2000 | 827 | −2.7% | |
| 2010 | 830 | 0.4% | |
| 2020 | 857 | 3.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2010
In 2010, the census counted 830 people living in Hooper. There were 359 households, which are groups of people living together in one home. The city had a population density of about 1,276.9 inhabitants per square mile (493.0/km2). This means there were about 1,277 people for every square mile.
Most of the people in Hooper were White (98.1%). About 1.6% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Hooper in 2010 was 45.2 years old.
- About 22.2% of residents were under 18 years old.
- About 24.7% were 65 years old or older.
The population was almost evenly split between males (49.4%) and females (50.6%).
Hooper Landmarks
Hooper has a special landmark that helps people find the town. It's a 24-foot (7.3 m) tall tower with the town's name written on it in 18-inch (460 mm) letters. This tower was finished in 2010.
It was built because a new bypass road was created for U.S. Route 275. This new road went around Hooper, and people worried that cars passing by wouldn't notice the town anymore. The tower helps make sure Hooper is still seen!
Notable People from Hooper
Hooper has been home to some interesting and successful people:
- Lillian Boyer: She was a famous aerial daredevil and wing walker in the 1920s. She performed amazing stunts on airplanes!
- Jordan Larson: A talented volleyball player who played for the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She became a world champion and won an Olympic gold medal with the United States women's national volleyball team.
- Donald K. Schwab: He was a first lieutenant in the US Army during World War II. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2014 for being very brave near Lure, France, in 1944.
See also
In Spanish: Hooper (Nebraska) para niños
