McCook, Nebraska facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
McCook, Nebraska
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George Norris Avenue in McCook, July 2010
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Location of McCook within Nebraska and Red Willow County
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| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| County | Red Willow |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.46 sq mi (14.14 km2) |
| • Land | 5.46 sq mi (14.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) |
| Elevation | 2,582 ft (787 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,446 |
| • Density | 1,363.99/sq mi (526.64/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
69001
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| Area code(s) | 308 |
| FIPS code | 31-29925 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2395061 |
| Website | cityofmccook.com |
McCook is a city in Nebraska, a state in the United States. It is the main city and county seat of Red Willow County. In 2020, about 7,446 people lived there.
Contents
History of McCook
McCook was officially planned and laid out in 1882. This happened when the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad built its tracks to this spot. The city was named after Alexander McDowell McCook. He was a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War.
People of McCook (Demographics)
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 2,346 | — | |
| 1900 | 2,445 | 4.2% | |
| 1910 | 3,765 | 54.0% | |
| 1920 | 4,303 | 14.3% | |
| 1930 | 6,688 | 55.4% | |
| 1940 | 6,212 | −7.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,678 | 23.6% | |
| 1960 | 8,301 | 8.1% | |
| 1970 | 8,285 | −0.2% | |
| 1980 | 8,404 | 1.4% | |
| 1990 | 8,112 | −3.5% | |
| 2000 | 7,994 | −1.5% | |
| 2010 | 7,698 | −3.7% | |
| 2020 | 7,446 | −3.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2012 Estimate |
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How Many People Live Here? (2020 Census)
The 2020 United States census counted 7,446 people in McCook. There were 3,328 homes and 1,733 families. The city had about 1,364 people per square mile. Most people (90.26%) were white. Other groups included African American, Native American, Asian, and Pacific Islander people. About 3.0% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 18.6% of homes had children under 18. Many homes (40.2%) were married couples. About 41.9% of homes had just one person living there. The average home had 2.2 people.
The median age in McCook was 39.5 years. About 22.5% of the people were under 18. And 21.2% were 65 or older.
How Many People Live Here? (2010 Census)
In 2010, there were 7,698 people living in McCook. The city had about 1,428 people per square mile. Most people (95.8%) were White. About 4.9% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
About 27.4% of homes had children under 18. Many homes (47.8%) were married couples. The average home had 2.25 people.
The median age was 40.7 years. About 23% of people were under 18. And 19.5% were 65 or older.
Geography and Climate
McCook covers about 5.39 square miles, and it's all land.
Weather in McCook
McCook has a climate with hot summers and cold winters. Summers are usually hot and humid, like in the central United States. Winters are generally cold and dry.
Most of the rain happens in spring and summer. The city gets about 22.72 inches of rain each year. Snowfall is usually light, with about 29.9 inches per season. Snow mostly falls from November to April.
The hottest temperature ever recorded was 115°F (46°C) in June 2012. The coldest was -30°F (-34°C) in January 1912.
Culture and Fun Facts
- The Harvey P. Sutton House at 602 Norris Avenue is a special building. It was designed by a famous architect named Frank Lloyd Wright in 1905. It's the only house he designed in Nebraska. It is a private home, so you can't visit inside.
- McCook Army Airfield was a military airport near McCook. It was used from 1943 to 1945.
- McCook once had a professional baseball team called the McCook Braves. They played from 1956 to 1959. In their last year, they won the league championship! A future Baseball Hall of Famer, Phil Niekro, played on that team.
- McCook is home to the first two-year college in Nebraska. McCook Junior College started in 1926. It is now called McCook Community College.
- The McCook Economic Development Corporation helps local businesses start, grow, and stay in the area.
- Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Cafe, a restaurant in McCook, won a special award called the James Beard America’s Classic Award. It's the only restaurant in Nebraska to win this award!
Events in McCook
- Heritage Days: This is the biggest celebration in McCook. It happens every year on the last full weekend in September. It includes a parade, a road race, performances by high school students, and street vendors.
- Red Willow County Fair: This is a five-day fair for the whole county in July. It has games, rides, concerts, tractor rides, a rodeo, and food from local families and businesses.
- Crazy Days: This is a fun weekend event to celebrate local businesses. Stores have sales, there are costume contests, and a car show. On Friday night, people drive their old and fancy cars up and down the main street.
- Buffalo Commons Storytelling Festival: McCook hosts this festival every summer. People gather to share stories.
Parks and Recreation
McCook has a great place for golf called Heritage Hills Golf Course. It has 18 holes and opened in 1981. It's a challenging course that has been recognized in golf magazines. It was updated in 2013.
Getting Around (Transportation)
Highways
McCook is located on three important US Highway routes.
- U.S. Route 83 goes north and south. It connects McCook to Kansas and South Dakota.
- U.S. Route 6 and U.S. Route 34 run together through McCook, going east and west.
- US 34 connects McCook to Colorado and Denver to the west. It also links to cities like Lincoln in Nebraska.
- US 6 splits off from US 34 and goes northwest to Colorado. To the east, it's another way to get to Omaha and Lincoln.
Trains
Amtrak, the national passenger train system, has a stop in McCook. The California Zephyr train travels daily through McCook. It goes between Chicago and Emeryville (near Oakland), California. It stops at the McCook station.
Air Travel
You can fly from McCook! The commuter airline Denver Air Connection offers daily flights from the McCook Regional Airport to Denver, Colorado.
News and Radio (Media)
Newspapers
The McCook Daily Gazette is the city's newspaper. It is published five days a week. In 1929, this newspaper was one of the first in the world to deliver papers by airplane! Their plane, called the Newsboy, would fly daily routes and drop bundles of newspapers to carriers in nearby towns.
Radio
McCook has several local radio stations that play different types of music and talk shows.
Famous People from McCook
Many notable people have lived in McCook:
- Three governors of Nebraska called McCook home: Ralph G. Brooks, Frank Morrison, and Ben Nelson. Ben Nelson also served as a U.S. Senator for Nebraska.
- Frank B. Morrison Jr., who became a judge in Montana, was born in McCook.
- Jeff Kinney, a former professional football player, graduated from McCook High School in 1968.
- TV speaker Bob Larson grew up in McCook.
- John R. McCarl, the first person to hold the important job of Comptroller General of the United States, was raised in McCook. He is also buried there.
- George W. Norris lived in McCook. He was a very important politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate from 1903 to 1943. He helped change Nebraska's government to a unicameral system (meaning it has only one house of lawmakers). In the Senate, he was key in creating the Tennessee Valley Authority, which provides power and helps develop a large region. His house in McCook is now a museum. The main street in McCook, once called Main, was renamed Norris Avenue in his honor.
Tornado History
On May 17, 2019, a strong EF2 tornado hit parts of McCook, Nebraska. It damaged a farmhouse, tearing off its roof and destroying the garage. The tornado formed around 4:30 p.m. Central Time. Luckily, no one was hurt or killed by this storm. This tornado is also known as the Perry EF2 tornado.
See also
In Spanish: McCook (Nebraska) para niños
