kids encyclopedia robot

Jefferson County, Nebraska facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Jefferson County
Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairbury
Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairbury
Map of Nebraska highlighting Jefferson 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 January 26, 1856 (founded)
1864 (organized)
Named for Thomas Jefferson
Seat Fairbury
Largest city Fairbury
Area
 • Total 576 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land 570 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water 5.5 sq mi (14 km2)  1.0%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
7,176
 • Density 12.6/sq mi (4.9/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district 3rd

Jefferson County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,240. Its county seat is Fairbury. The county was named for Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Jefferson County is represented by the prefix 33 (it had the thirty-third-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Jefferson County was founded on January 26, 1856, and its governing structure was organized in 1864. It was named for Thomas Jefferson, third president of the United States.

In 2010, the Keystone-Cushing Pipeline (Phase II) was constructed south out of Jefferson County.

Geography

Jefferson County lies on the south line of Nebraska. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of Kansas. The terrain of Jefferson County consists of low rolling hills, whose leveled tops are largely used for agriculture. The Little Blue River flows southeastward through the southwestern-middle of the county. The county has a total area of 576 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 570 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 5.5 square miles (14 km2) (1.0%) is water.

Major highways

  • US 136.svg U.S. Highway 136
  • N-4.svg Nebraska Highway 4
  • N-8.svg Nebraska Highway 8
  • N-15.svg Nebraska Highway 15
  • N-103.svg Nebraska Highway 103

Protected areas

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 2,440
1880 8,096 231.8%
1890 14,850 83.4%
1900 15,196 2.3%
1910 16,852 10.9%
1920 16,140 −4.2%
1930 16,409 1.7%
1940 15,532 −5.3%
1950 13,623 −12.3%
1960 11,620 −14.7%
1970 10,436 −10.2%
1980 9,817 −5.9%
1990 8,759 −10.8%
2000 8,333 −4.9%
2010 7,547 −9.4%
2020 7,240 −4.1%
2021 (est.) 7,176 −4.9%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 8,333 people, 3,527 households, and 2,352 families in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There were 3,942 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.42% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.50% from other races, and 0.42% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,527 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 5.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 29.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.85.

The county population contained 23.30% under the age of 18, 6.10% from 18 to 24, 23.70% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 22.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,629, and the median income for a family was $40,747. Males had a median income of $26,929 versus $18,594 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,380. About 8.00% of families and 8.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.20% of those under age 18 and 8.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Villages

Unincorporated communities

See also

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

kids search engine
Jefferson County, Nebraska Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.