Webster County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 3,411.[1] Its county seat is Red Cloud.[2] The county was formed in 1871, and was named for Daniel Webster.[3]

Webster County
Webster County Courthouse in Red Cloud
Webster County Courthouse in Red Cloud
Map of Nebraska highlighting Webster County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°11′N 98°30′W / 40.18°N 98.5°W / 40.18; -98.5
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1871
Named forDaniel Webster
SeatRed Cloud
Largest cityRed Cloud
Area
 • Total
575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Land575 sq mi (1,490 km2)
 • Water0.1 sq mi (0.3 km2)  0.02%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
3,411
 • Density6.1/sq mi (2.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.webster.ne.us

In the Nebraska license plate system, Webster County is represented by the prefix 45 (it had the forty-fifth-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

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Webster County lies along the south line of Nebraska. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of Kansas. The terrain of Webster County consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the east. The more planar areas of the county are used for agriculture, mostly under center pivot irrigation.[4]

The Republican River flows eastward across the lower part of the county. The county has an area of 575 square miles (1,490 km2), of which 575 square miles (1,490 km2) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km2) (0.02%) is water.[5]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area[6]
  • Liberty Cove Recreation Area[7]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
187016
18807,10444,300.0%
189011,21057.8%
190011,6193.6%
191012,0083.3%
192010,922−9.0%
193010,210−6.5%
19408,701−14.8%
19507,395−15.0%
19606,224−15.8%
19705,396−13.3%
19804,858−10.0%
19904,279−11.9%
20004,061−5.1%
20103,812−6.1%
20203,395−10.9%
2021 (est.)3,411[1]0.5%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010-2013[12]

As of the 2000 United States Census[13] there were 4,061 people, 1,708 households, and 1,118 families residing in the county. The population density was 7 people per square mile (2.7 people/km2). There were 1,972 housing units at an average density of 3 units per square mile (1.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.10% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 50.7% were of German, 9.7% English, 8.3% American and 7.6% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,708 households, out of which 26.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 5.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 32.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

The county population contained 23.60% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 24.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,026, and the median income for a family was $36,513. Males had a median income of $26,555 versus $18,480 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,802. About 7.70% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Census-designated place

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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Webster County voters are reliably Republican. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

United States presidential election results for Webster County, Nebraska[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 1,449 82.10% 296 16.77% 20 1.13%
2020 1,511 80.54% 335 17.86% 30 1.60%
2016 1,330 77.87% 306 17.92% 72 4.22%
2012 1,258 72.22% 442 25.37% 42 2.41%
2008 1,233 67.86% 552 30.38% 32 1.76%
2004 1,403 70.08% 557 27.82% 42 2.10%
2000 1,302 66.94% 584 30.03% 59 3.03%
1996 1,094 55.96% 621 31.76% 240 12.28%
1992 973 42.98% 625 27.61% 666 29.42%
1988 1,314 59.03% 891 40.03% 21 0.94%
1984 1,694 71.93% 645 27.39% 16 0.68%
1980 1,676 69.75% 547 22.76% 180 7.49%
1976 1,267 51.90% 1,130 46.29% 44 1.80%
1972 1,631 70.09% 696 29.91% 0 0.00%
1968 1,521 61.13% 781 31.39% 186 7.48%
1964 1,191 41.82% 1,657 58.18% 0 0.00%
1960 2,026 64.75% 1,103 35.25% 0 0.00%
1956 2,298 70.62% 956 29.38% 0 0.00%
1952 2,719 74.62% 925 25.38% 0 0.00%
1948 1,964 59.00% 1,365 41.00% 0 0.00%
1944 2,523 69.75% 1,094 30.25% 0 0.00%
1940 2,847 68.18% 1,329 31.82% 0 0.00%
1936 1,912 43.77% 2,408 55.13% 48 1.10%
1932 1,627 37.07% 2,632 59.97% 130 2.96%
1928 2,924 68.22% 1,342 31.31% 20 0.47%
1924 2,194 54.40% 1,207 29.93% 632 15.67%
1920 2,599 70.72% 913 24.84% 163 4.44%
1916 1,191 42.98% 1,469 53.01% 111 4.01%
1912 532 19.25% 1,168 42.26% 1,064 38.49%
1908 1,408 48.59% 1,354 46.72% 136 4.69%
1904 1,585 61.84% 424 16.54% 554 21.62%
1900 1,355 49.67% 1,322 48.46% 51 1.87%

As of 2021, county elected officials include:

  • Commissioners:
    • District 1: Dan Shipman
    • District 2: Trevor Karr
    • District 3: TJ Vance
    • District 4: Tim Gilbert
    • District 5: Gary Ratzlaff
  • Sheriff: Troy Schmitz

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "County Population Totals: 2020-2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 21, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "Webster County". Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  4. ^ Webster County NE Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  6. ^ Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area, Red Cloud NE Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)
  7. ^ Liberty Cove Recreation Area Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  11. ^ "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 12, 2014.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Election Results
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40°11′N 98°30′W / 40.18°N 98.50°W / 40.18; -98.50