Boone County, Nebraska

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Wikipedia

Boone County, Nebraska
County
Boone County Courthouse in Albion
Boone County Courthouse in Albion
Map of Nebraska highlighting Boone County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°42′N 98°04′W / 41.7°N 98.06°W / 41.7; -98.06
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1871
Named afterDaniel Boone
SeatAlbion
Largest cityAlbion
Area
 • Total
687 sq mi (1,780 km2)
 • Land687 sq mi (1,780 km2)
 • Water0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2)  0.1%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
5,386
 • Density7.8/sq mi (3.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.boone.ne.us

Boone County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 5,386.[1] Its county seat is Albion.[2] The county was organized in 1871[3] and named after Daniel Boone.[4]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Boone County is represented by the prefix 23 (it had the 23rd-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 687 square miles (1,780 km2), of which 687 square miles (1,780 km2) is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km2) (0.1%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

History

Boone County, Nebraska, was created on March 1, 1871, and named in honor of frontiersman Daniel Boone. The settlement of Boone County began with the arrival of explorers and settlers in the late 1860s. One of the first white settlers was S.D. Avery, who in 1871 established a claim near what would become the town of Albion. The initial settlement was encouraged by the expansion of railroads and the availability of land under the Homestead Act of 1862.[6]

The community of Albion was platted in 1872 and became the county seat after a contest with the town of Boone. This rivalry for the county seat was common in many frontier counties, reflecting the ambition and growth aspirations of the nascent communities. Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the local economy, with wheat, corn, and later oats being predominant.[6]

The development of Boone County was relatively rapid thanks to its fertile soil and the dedication of its settlers. The railroad, reaching Albion in the early 1880s, played a crucial role in the county's growth, providing access to markets for agricultural products and bringing in more settlers. The county's population and infrastructure expanded, with schools, churches, and businesses being established to support the burgeoning agricultural community.[6]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18804,170—
18908,683108.2%
190011,68934.6%
191013,14512.5%
192014,1467.6%
193014,7384.2%
194012,127−17.7%
195010,721−11.6%
19609,134−14.8%
19708,190−10.3%
19807,391−9.8%
19906,667−9.8%
20006,259−6.1%
20105,505−12.0%
20205,379−2.3%
2021 (est.)5,386[1]0.1%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2013[1]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,379. The median age was 44.7 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.0 males age 18 and over.[11][12]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.4% of the population.[12]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[13]

There were 2,253 households in the county, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[11]

There were 2,554 housing units, of which 11.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.6% were owner-occupied and 24.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%.[11]

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census,[14] there were 6,259 people, 2,454 households, and 1,700 families in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (3.5 people/km2). There were 2,733 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2).

The racial makeup of the county was 99.25% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 54.6% were of German, 8.2% Irish, 5.9% Polish, 5.3% Norwegian and 5.1% Swedish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 2,454 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.

29.10% of the population is under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,444, and the median income for a family was $38,226. Males had a median income of $26,779 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,831. About 8.30% of families and 10.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated community

Politics

Boone County voters have been strongly Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Boone County, Nebraska[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1900 1,524 52.28% 1,336 45.83% 55 1.89%
1904 1,823 63.72% 471 16.46% 567 19.82%
1908 1,580 49.14% 1,583 49.24% 52 1.62%
1912 570 19.30% 1,360 46.05% 1,023 34.64%
1916 1,225 37.03% 2,005 60.61% 78 2.36%
1920 3,108 65.97% 1,461 31.01% 142 3.01%
1924 2,013 36.36% 1,782 32.18% 1,742 31.46%
1928 3,816 62.57% 2,260 37.06% 23 0.38%
1932 1,862 29.60% 4,360 69.31% 69 1.10%
1936 2,728 45.28% 3,095 51.37% 202 3.35%
1940 3,334 62.34% 2,014 37.66% 0 0.00%
1944 2,865 63.25% 1,665 36.75% 0 0.00%
1948 2,235 55.69% 1,778 44.31% 0 0.00%
1952 3,453 72.91% 1,283 27.09% 0 0.00%
1956 3,021 70.29% 1,277 29.71% 0 0.00%
1960 2,809 64.49% 1,547 35.51% 0 0.00%
1964 1,893 49.84% 1,905 50.16% 0 0.00%
1968 2,179 64.01% 934 27.44% 291 8.55%
1972 2,406 73.15% 883 26.85% 0 0.00%
1976 2,035 59.21% 1,329 38.67% 73 2.12%
1980 2,598 72.11% 769 21.34% 236 6.55%
1984 2,508 78.01% 690 21.46% 17 0.53%
1988 2,160 68.57% 976 30.98% 14 0.44%
1992 1,589 50.21% 604 19.08% 972 30.71%
1996 1,695 57.63% 806 27.41% 440 14.96%
2000 2,196 76.73% 575 20.09% 91 3.18%
2004 2,309 79.76% 546 18.86% 40 1.38%
2008 2,042 72.00% 742 26.16% 52 1.83%
2012 2,138 76.19% 615 21.92% 53 1.89%
2016 2,299 79.14% 414 14.25% 192 6.61%
2020 2,653 82.24% 499 15.47% 74 2.29%
2024 2,499 82.20% 496 16.32% 45 1.48%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. (1960). Nebraska Place-Names. University of Nebraska Press. p. 19. ISBN 0803250606. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  4. ↑ History of the Origin of the Place Names in Nine Northwestern States. 1908. p. 12.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  6. 1 2 3 "Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska - Boone Co. Part 1". May 7, 2003. Archived from the original on May 7, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  7. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  11. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  12. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  13. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  14. ↑ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".

41°42′N 98°04′W / 41.70°N 98.06°W / 41.70; -98.06