Thurston County facts for kids

Thurston County is a name used for two different places in the United States. When you see "Thurston County," it could mean either a county in the state of Nebraska or a county in the state of Washington. Both are important parts of their states.

What is a County?

A county is a type of local government area in many countries, including the United States. It's like a big district within a state. Counties help manage things like roads, courts, and public services for the people living there. Each county has a main town or city called a "county seat" where the government offices are located.

Thurston County, Nebraska

Thurston County is located in the northeastern part of the state of Nebraska. It was created in 1889 and is named after John Mellen Thurston, who was a United States Senator from Nebraska.

Key Facts About Thurston County, Nebraska

• County Seat: The main town and government center is Pender, Nebraska.
• Population: About 6,700 people live in Thurston County, Nebraska.
• Geography: The county is known for its flat farmlands and is near the Missouri River. Agriculture, like farming corn and soybeans, is a very important part of its economy.
• Native American Reservations: A large part of Thurston County is made up of the Omaha Reservation and the Winnebago Reservation. These are lands where Native American tribes live and have their own governments.

Thurston County, Washington

Thurston County is located in the western part of the state of Washington. It was created in 1852, even before Washington became a state. It is named after Samuel Thurston, who was the first delegate to Congress from the Oregon Territory.

Key Facts About Thurston County, Washington

• County Seat: The main town and government center is Olympia, Washington. Olympia is also special because it is the capital city of the entire state of Washington!
• Population: About 295,000 people live in Thurston County, Washington, making it much larger than Thurston County, Nebraska.
• Geography: This county is known for its beautiful natural areas. It has forests, lakes, and parts of the Puget Sound, which is an inlet of the Pacific Ocean.
• Economy: Because Olympia is the state capital, many jobs in Thurston County are related to state government. There are also jobs in healthcare, education, and technology.

Images for kids

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  A friendly robot to say goodbye!