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Keith County, Nebraska

Coordinates: 41°12′N 101°40′W / 41.20°N 101.66°W / 41.20; -101.66
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Keith County
County
Keith County Courthouse in Ogallala
Keith County Courthouse in Ogallala
Map of Nebraska highlighting Keith County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°12′N 101°40′W / 41.2°N 101.66°W / 41.2; -101.66
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1873
Named forM.C. Keith or John Keith
SeatOgallala
Largest cityOgallala
Area
 • Total1,110 sq mi (2,900 km2)
 • Land1,062 sq mi (2,750 km2)
 • Water48 sq mi (120 km2)  4.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,335
 • Density7.5/sq mi (2.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.keithcountyne.gov

Keith County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 8,335.[1] Its county seat is Ogallala.[2]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Keith County is represented by the prefix 68 (it had the sixty-eighth-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

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Keith County was formed in 1873. Sources differ on the Keith after whom it was named: either M. C. Keith of North Platte, whose grandson Keith Neville became Nebraska's 18th governor in 1917; or John Keith, also of North Platte.[3][4]

Geography

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The terrain of Keith County consists of low rolling hills. The level areas are used for agriculture, mainly in the lower part of the county. The North Platte River flows eastward into the northwest end of the county, feeding Lake McConaughy, then exiting the county's east line near its midpoint. The South Platte River flows eastward into the southwest end of the county, and crosses the lower central part of the county before exiting to the east, headed for its junction with the North Platte River well to the east of Keith County.[5]

The county has an area of 1,110 square miles (2,900 km2), of which 1,062 square miles (2,750 km2) is land and 48 square miles (120 km2) (4.3%) is water.[6]

Most of Nebraska's 93 counties (the eastern 2/3) observe Central Time; the western counties observe Mountain Time. Keith County is the easternmost of the Nebraska counties to observe Mountain Time.[7]

Major highways

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Transit

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • Clear Creek State Waterfowl Management Area (partial)[8]
  • Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area[9]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880194—
18902,5561,217.5%
19001,951−23.7%
19103,69289.2%
19205,29443.4%
19306,72127.0%
19408,33324.0%
19507,449−10.6%
19607,9586.8%
19708,4876.6%
19809,36410.3%
19908,584−8.3%
20008,8753.4%
20108,368−5.7%
20208,335−0.4%
2023 (est.)8,113−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790-1960[11] 1900-1990[12]
1990-2000[13] 2010[14] 2020 2022[15]

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 8,327 people and 3,781 households. The population density was 7.5 people per square mile (2.9 people/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.6% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 1.0% Native American, 0.7% Asian, and 1.6% from two or more races. 8.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The median income for a household in the county was $59,511 and the per capita income for the county was $34,905. 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line.

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 8,875 people, 3,707 households, and 2,535 families residing in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 5,178 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.75% White, 0.08% Black or African American, 0.71% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 1.49% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 4.23% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,707 households, out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.60% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.60% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 25.30% from 25 to 44, 25.40% from 45 to 64, and 18.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,325, and the median income for a family was $39,118. Males had a median income of $26,523 versus $19,024 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,421. About 6.60% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.10% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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City

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Villages

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Former communities

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Politics

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United States presidential election results for Keith County, Nebraska[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 3,544 81.12% 763 17.46% 62 1.42%
2016 3,235 80.19% 571 14.15% 228 5.65%
2012 3,044 75.01% 928 22.87% 86 2.12%
2008 2,942 74.14% 974 24.55% 52 1.31%
2004 3,356 81.12% 743 17.96% 38 0.92%
2000 2,953 76.72% 778 20.21% 118 3.07%
1996 2,504 65.50% 830 21.71% 489 12.79%
1992 2,050 51.65% 740 18.64% 1,179 29.71%
1988 2,886 72.31% 1,075 26.94% 30 0.75%
1984 3,433 84.10% 631 15.46% 18 0.44%
1980 3,381 77.65% 710 16.31% 263 6.04%
1976 2,485 66.09% 1,139 30.29% 136 3.62%
1972 2,513 79.07% 665 20.93% 0 0.00%
1968 2,126 70.91% 694 23.15% 178 5.94%
1964 1,927 51.93% 1,784 48.07% 0 0.00%
1960 2,680 68.88% 1,211 31.12% 0 0.00%
1956 2,624 73.83% 930 26.17% 0 0.00%
1952 2,790 78.39% 769 21.61% 0 0.00%
1948 1,600 59.06% 1,109 40.94% 0 0.00%
1944 1,739 60.26% 1,147 39.74% 0 0.00%
1940 2,022 53.48% 1,759 46.52% 0 0.00%
1936 1,094 34.71% 2,000 63.45% 58 1.84%
1932 946 31.63% 2,009 67.17% 36 1.20%
1928 1,715 67.10% 832 32.55% 9 0.35%
1924 1,069 49.93% 602 28.12% 470 21.95%
1920 1,050 64.73% 472 29.10% 100 6.17%
1916 389 39.06% 544 54.62% 63 6.33%
1912 188 23.04% 304 37.25% 324 39.71%
1908 368 53.41% 310 44.99% 11 1.60%
1904 263 60.18% 89 20.37% 85 19.45%
1900 246 52.34% 216 45.96% 8 1.70%
1896 178 39.64% 269 59.91% 2 0.45%
1892 210 37.84% 98 17.66% 247 44.50%
1888 319 50.08% 263 41.29% 55 8.63%
1884 67 47.86% 72 51.43% 1 0.71%
1880 32 38.55% 51 61.45% 0 0.00%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Keith County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). "Nebraska Place-Names". University of Nebraska Department of English. p. 84. Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  4. ^ "Governor Neville".[usurped] Nebraska State Historical Society.[usurped] Retrieved June 13, 2013.
  5. ^ Keith County NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  7. ^ Map of Time Zone Line through Nebraska (accessed 22 January 2019)
  8. ^ Clear Creek State Waterfowl Management Area, Lewellen NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  9. ^ Lake Mcconaughy State Recreation Area and Wildlife Management Area Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  12. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  13. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  14. ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/keithcountynebraska/PST045222. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  15. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ^ a b c Everts & Kirk. Keith Co. 3½ Miles:1 Inch. In: The official state atlas of Nebraska. Compiled from government surveys, county records and personal investigations. Philadelphia, Everts & Kirk, 1885. (on verso) Copyright, 1885, Everts & Kirk. Series 165. Philadelphia. Everts & Kirk. 1885. p. 176
  18. ^ a b c d e Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). "Nebraska Place-Names". University of Nebraska Dept. of English. pp. 84-85. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  19. ^ Megeath, Brule NE Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)
  20. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".

Further reading

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  • John Janovy Jr. "Keith County Journal" St. Martin's Press (1978)
  • John Janovy Jr. "Yellowlegs: A Migration of the Mind" Houghton Mifflin Company (1980)
  • John Janovy Jr. "Back in Keith County" University of Nebraska Press (1982)

41°12′N 101°40′W / 41.20°N 101.66°W / 41.20; -101.66

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