Loretto, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Loretto, Nebraska
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 Loretto, Nebraska
Location in Nebraska
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Boone |
| Area | |
| • Total | 0.28 sq mi (0.73 km2) |
| • Land | 0.28 sq mi (0.73 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,828 ft (557 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 50 |
| • Density | 177.94/sq mi (68.81/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
68620
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| Area code(s) | 402 and 531 |
| FIPS code | 31-29155 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2612512 |
Loretto is a small community in Boone County, Nebraska, in the United States. It is known as an unincorporated community and a census-designated place. This means it's a recognized place but doesn't have its own local government like a city or town. In 2010, about 42 people lived there. By 2020, the population grew slightly to 50 residents.
A Look Back: Loretto's History
Loretto wasn't always called Loretto! It was first named Loran. This name honored Loran Clark, one of the first people to settle in the area. However, there was already another town named Loran in Nebraska. To avoid confusion, the community changed its name to Loretto. The new name was inspired by Loreto, a famous place in Italy.
A post office opened in Loretto in 1888, helping people send and receive mail. It stayed open for many years until 1971. In 1909, a local bank called Loretto State Bank was started. Loretto was quite busy in the 1920s. At its busiest, the community had a cheese factory, several general stores where people could buy everyday items, a butcher shop, and even a hotel.
Where is Loretto?
Loretto is located in the north-central part of Boone County. It sits along Beaver Creek, which is a smaller stream that flows into the Loup River.
Nebraska Highway 14 runs right through Loretto. If you travel southeast on this highway for about 7 miles (11 km), you'll reach Albion. Albion is the county seat, which means it's the main town where the county government is located. If you head north on the highway for about 6 miles (10 km), you'll arrive at Petersburg.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the Loretto community covers a total area of about 0.7 square kilometers (0.28 square miles). All of this area is land, with no large bodies of water.
Who Lives in Loretto?
The population of Loretto has changed over the years. Here's a quick look at how many people have lived there:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 50 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, the community had 42 residents. By the time of the 2020 census, the population had increased to 50 people.
