Blaine County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 431,[1] making it Nebraska's second-least populous county and the sixth-least populous in the United States. Its county seat is Brewster.[2] The county was formed in 1885[3] and organized in 1886.[4] It is named after presidential candidate James G. Blaine.[5]
Blaine County | |
|---|---|
 Blaine County Courthouse in Brewster | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska | |
 Nebraska's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 41°56′N 99°59′W / 41.93°N 99.98°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Nebraska |
| Founded | 1885 (authorized) 1886 (organized) |
| Named for | James G. Blaine |
| Seat | Brewster |
| Largest village | Dunning |
| Area | |
| • Total | 714 sq mi (1,850 km2) |
| • Land | 711 sq mi (1,840 km2) |
| • Water | 3.6 sq mi (9 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 431 |
| • Density | 0.60/sq mi (0.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | blainecounty |
In the Nebraska license plate system, Blaine County is represented by the prefix 86 (it had the 86th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).
Geography edit
According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 715 square miles (1,850 km2), of which 711 square miles (1,840 km2) is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km2) (0.5%) is water.[6]
Major highways edit
Adjacent counties edit
- Loup County – east
- Custer County – south
- Logan County – southwest
- Thomas County – west
- Cherry County – northwest
- Brown County – north
National protected area edit
- Nebraska National Forest (part)
Demographics edit
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 1,146 | — | |
| 1900 | 603 | −47.4% | |
| 1910 | 1,672 | 177.3% | |
| 1920 | 1,778 | 6.3% | |
| 1930 | 1,584 | −10.9% | |
| 1940 | 1,538 | −2.9% | |
| 1950 | 1,203 | −21.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,016 | −15.5% | |
| 1970 | 847 | −16.6% | |
| 1980 | 867 | 2.4% | |
| 1990 | 675 | −22.1% | |
| 2000 | 583 | −13.6% | |
| 2010 | 478 | −18.0% | |
| 2020 | 431 | −9.8% | |
| US Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010[11] | |||
As of the 2000 United States Census,[13] there were 583 people, 238 households, and 168 families in the county. The population density was 0.82 person per square mile (0.32 person/km2). There were 333 housing units at an average density of 0.5 units per square mile (0.19/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.97% White, 0.51% Native American, and 0.51% from two or more races; 0.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.1% were of German, 12.2% English, 10.2% Irish and 8.4% American ancestry.
There were 238 households, of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.00% were married couples living together, 2.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.
The county population contained 26.20% under the age of 18, 3.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,278, and the median income for a family was $28,472. Males had a median income of $17,917 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,323. About 18.70% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.
Communities edit
Villages edit
Unincorporated communities edit
Politics edit
Blaine County voters are strongly Republican. In only four national elections since 1900 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, & none since 1936.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 280 | 88.33% | 35 | 11.04% | 2 | 0.63% |
| 2016 | 276 | 87.07% | 30 | 9.46% | 11 | 3.47% |
| 2012 | 268 | 88.45% | 29 | 9.57% | 6 | 1.98% |
| 2008 | 266 | 84.18% | 43 | 13.61% | 7 | 2.22% |
| 2004 | 301 | 88.79% | 38 | 11.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 2000 | 299 | 85.67% | 43 | 12.32% | 7 | 2.01% |
| 1996 | 284 | 75.13% | 53 | 14.02% | 41 | 10.85% |
| 1992 | 256 | 56.51% | 64 | 14.13% | 133 | 29.36% |
| 1988 | 338 | 82.24% | 72 | 17.52% | 1 | 0.24% |
| 1984 | 363 | 88.32% | 48 | 11.68% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1980 | 361 | 81.67% | 63 | 14.25% | 18 | 4.07% |
| 1976 | 281 | 66.59% | 133 | 31.52% | 8 | 1.90% |
| 1972 | 343 | 85.96% | 56 | 14.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 344 | 79.45% | 64 | 14.78% | 25 | 5.77% |
| 1964 | 326 | 62.57% | 195 | 37.43% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 420 | 78.80% | 113 | 21.20% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 416 | 73.63% | 149 | 26.37% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 458 | 76.97% | 137 | 23.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 252 | 50.40% | 248 | 49.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 366 | 59.61% | 248 | 40.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 454 | 59.35% | 311 | 40.65% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 342 | 47.77% | 365 | 50.98% | 9 | 1.26% |
| 1932 | 244 | 35.41% | 431 | 62.55% | 14 | 2.03% |
| 1928 | 484 | 73.11% | 175 | 26.44% | 3 | 0.45% |
| 1924 | 253 | 43.40% | 132 | 22.64% | 198 | 33.96% |
| 1920 | 328 | 63.81% | 176 | 34.24% | 10 | 1.95% |
| 1916 | 184 | 40.71% | 246 | 54.42% | 22 | 4.87% |
| 1912 | 126 | 29.03% | 163 | 37.56% | 145 | 33.41% |
| 1908 | 220 | 56.12% | 160 | 40.82% | 12 | 3.06% |
| 1904 | 127 | 70.17% | 34 | 18.78% | 20 | 11.05% |
| 1900 | 103 | 57.54% | 75 | 41.90% | 1 | 0.56% |
References edit
- ^ "Blaine County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. (1960). Nebraska Place-Names. University of Nebraska Press. p. 18. ISBN 0803250606.
- ^ "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. May 15, 1989. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ^ "Blaine County - History". Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
- ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 28, 2019.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".