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Platte County, Nebraska facts for kids

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Platte County
County
County of Platte
Platte County Courthouse
Platte County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Country  United States
State  Nebraska
Established January 26, 1856
Named for Platte River
County seat Columbus
Largest city Columbus
Area
 • Total 685 sq mi (1,770 km2)
 • Land 674 sq mi (1,750 km2)
 • Water 11 sq mi (30 km2)  1.5%
Highest elevation
1,657 ft (505 m)
Lowest elevation
1,112 ft (339 m)
Population
 (2020)
 34,296
 • Density 50.9/sq mi (19.7/km2)
Time zone UTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code 402/531
FIPS code 31141
GNIS feature ID 835892
Website www.plattecounty.net

Platte County is a county in the state of Nebraska, United States. In 2020, about 34,296 people lived there. The main city and county seat is Columbus. The county was officially created in 1855.

Platte County is part of the Columbus, NE Micropolitan Statistical Area. This means it's an important area for jobs and living, centered around Columbus. If you see a Nebraska license plate with the number 10, it means the car is from Platte County. This is because it had the 10th highest number of registered vehicles in 1922.

History of Platte County

Platte County was officially started in 1856. The first meeting of its governing group, the board of commissioners, happened the next year. This board helps make decisions for the county.

Geography and Rivers

The Platte River flows along the southern edge of Platte County. The Loup River also flows through the lower part of the county. It joins the Platte River near Columbus. The land in Platte County has gentle, rolling hills. Most of the land is used for farming.

The county covers about 685 square miles (1,774 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 674 square miles (1,746 square kilometers), is land. The remaining 11 square miles (28 square kilometers) are water.

Main Roads in Platte County

  • US 30.svg U.S. Highway 30
  • US 81.svg U.S. Highway 81
  • N-22.svg Nebraska Highway 22
  • N-39.svg Nebraska Highway 39
  • N-45.svg Nebraska Highway 45
  • N-91.svg Nebraska Highway 91

Public Transportation

  • Express Arrow

Neighboring Counties

Protected Natural Areas

  • George Syas State Wildlife Management Area

Population Changes

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1860 782 —
1870 1,899 142.8%
1880 9,511 400.8%
1890 15,437 62.3%
1900 17,747 15.0%
1910 19,006 7.1%
1920 19,464 2.4%
1930 21,181 8.8%
1940 20,191 −4.7%
1950 19,910 −1.4%
1960 23,992 20.5%
1970 26,508 10.5%
1980 28,852 8.8%
1990 29,820 3.4%
2000 31,662 6.2%
2010 32,236 1.8%
2020 34,296 6.4%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010

The population of Platte County has grown a lot since 1860. In 2000, there were 31,662 people living in the county. About 29% of the people were under 18 years old. The average age was 36 years.

Towns and Villages

Platte County has several cities, villages, and other communities.

Cities in Platte County

Villages in Platte County

Special Designated Place

  • Lakeview (This is a place defined by the census for statistics.)

Other Small Communities

County Townships

  • Bismark
  • Burrows
  • Butler
  • Columbus
  • Creston
  • Grand Prairie
  • Granville
  • Humphrey
  • Joliet
  • Lost Creek
  • Loup
  • Monroe
  • Oconee
  • St. Bernard
  • Shell Creek
  • Sherman
  • Walker
  • Woodville

Famous People from Platte County

See also

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

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