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Custer County, Nebraska

Coordinates: 41°23′N 99°44′W / 41.39°N 99.73°W / 41.39; -99.73
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For other uses, see Custer County.

Custer County
County
Custer County Courthouse in Broken Bow
Custer County Courthouse in Broken Bow
Map of Nebraska highlighting Custer 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°23′N 99°44′W / 41.39°N 99.73°W / 41.39; -99.73
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedFebruary 17, 1877
Named forGeorge Armstrong Custer
SeatBroken Bow
Largest cityBroken Bow
Area
 • Total
2,576 sq mi (6,670 km2)
 • Land2,576 sq mi (6,670 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (1 km2)  0.01%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2021)
10,460[1]
 • Density4.06/sq mi (1.57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.custer.ne.us
Custer County

Custer County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 10,545.[1] Its county seat is Broken Bow.[2] The county was formed in 1877[3] and named after General George Armstrong Custer,[4] who was killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Custer County is represented by the prefix 4 (it had the fourth-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

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According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,576 square miles (6,670 km2), of which 2,576 square miles (6,670 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.01%) is water.[5] In area, it is the second largest county in Nebraska, behind only Cherry County, slightly more than twice its size.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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History

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Custer County, named in honor of General George Armstrong Custer, was officially organized in 1877, although its settlement commenced earlier. The region was once part of the Sioux territory, but following the Indian Wars, particularly after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the land was opened for homesteading. The first settlers arrived in the early 1870s, inspired by the promise of land through the Homestead Act of 1862. These early pioneers encountered formidable challenges like extreme weather conditions, isolation, and the task of farming in what was considered the Great American Desert. They constructed sod houses due to the absence of timber, and settlements were strategically placed near water sources.[6]

The Burlington Railroad's extension through the county in the early 1880s significantly boosted settlement by providing a means for transportation and trade. This led to the establishment of towns like Broken Bow, which was designated as the county seat. The railroad not only facilitated the influx of settlers but also allowed for the export of agricultural products, marking the transition from cattle ranching to more diverse farming practices.[7]

Agriculture shifted from cattle ranching to diversified farming, with wheat and corn becoming prominent crops. By the dawn of the 20th century, he community had established schools, churches, and other civic institutions, marking the transition from a frontier settlement to a more organized community.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18802,211—
189021,677880.4%
190019,758−8.9%
191025,66829.9%
192026,4072.9%
193026,189−0.8%
194022,591−13.7%
195019,170−15.1%
196016,517−13.8%
197014,092−14.7%
198013,877−1.5%
199012,270−11.6%
200011,793−3.9%
201010,939−7.2%
202010,545−3.6%
2021 (est.)10,460[1]−0.8%
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 11,793 people, 4,826 households, and 3,320 families in the county. The population density was 5 people per square mile (1.9 people/km2). There were 5,585 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.63% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.3% were of German, 11.9% English, 10.6% Irish and 8.9% American ancestry.

There were 4,826 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% were married couples living together, 5.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

The county population contained 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,677, and the median income for a family was $37,063. Males had a median income of $24,609 versus $19,732 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,171. About 9.10% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% 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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Townships

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Politics

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Custer County voters are reliably Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Custer County, Nebraska[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 5,042 85.33% 786 13.30% 81 1.37%
2020 5,090 84.69% 786 13.08% 134 2.23%
2016 4,695 83.07% 641 11.34% 316 5.59%
2012 4,296 78.14% 1,083 19.70% 119 2.16%
2008 4,301 77.11% 1,192 21.37% 85 1.52%
2004 4,518 80.51% 1,040 18.53% 54 0.96%
2000 4,245 78.41% 976 18.03% 193 3.56%
1996 3,453 64.15% 1,293 24.02% 637 11.83%
1992 3,180 54.64% 1,126 19.35% 1,514 26.01%
1988 4,203 73.40% 1,496 26.13% 27 0.47%
1984 4,749 80.94% 1,090 18.58% 28 0.48%
1980 4,563 76.90% 1,011 17.04% 360 6.07%
1976 3,935 63.72% 1,985 32.15% 255 4.13%
1972 4,836 80.83% 1,147 19.17% 0 0.00%
1968 4,325 70.52% 1,407 22.94% 401 6.54%
1964 3,916 52.98% 3,475 47.02% 0 0.00%
1960 5,716 70.87% 2,350 29.13% 0 0.00%
1956 5,798 70.51% 2,425 29.49% 0 0.00%
1952 7,143 77.17% 2,113 22.83% 0 0.00%
1948 4,057 54.73% 3,356 45.27% 0 0.00%
1944 5,330 61.61% 3,321 38.39% 0 0.00%
1940 6,269 59.66% 4,238 40.34% 0 0.00%
1936 5,250 45.67% 5,907 51.39% 338 2.94%
1932 3,953 35.66% 6,844 61.74% 289 2.61%
1928 8,379 76.40% 2,506 22.85% 82 0.75%
1924 3,833 39.95% 2,575 26.84% 3,187 33.22%
1920 4,974 59.31% 2,739 32.66% 674 8.04%
1916 2,047 34.24% 3,609 60.37% 322 5.39%
1912 1,051 18.20% 2,395 41.46% 2,330 40.34%
1908 2,788 47.01% 2,898 48.86% 245 4.13%
1904 2,658 59.61% 509 11.42% 1,292 28.98%
1900 2,145 47.24% 2,159 47.54% 237 5.22%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "City and Town Population Totals: 2020—2021". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Burr, George L. (1921). History of Hamilton and Clay Counties, Nebraska, Vol. 1. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. p. 105.
  4. ^ "Nebraska Association of County Officials : Home". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 14, 2008.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  6. ^ Butcher, Solomon Devore (1901). S.D. Butcher's Pioneer History of Custer County, and Short Sketches of Early Days in Nebraska. Merchants Publishing Company.
  7. ^ Gaston, William Levi; Humphrey, A. R. (1993). History of Custer County, Nebraska: A Narrative of the Past, with Special Emphasis Upon the Pioneer Period of the County's History, Its Social, Commercial, Educational, Religious and Civic Development from the Early Days to the Present Time. Higginson Book Company.
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 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 6, 2014.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 18, 2013.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved May 31, 2008.
  14. ^ Election Results

41°23′N 99°44′W / 41.39°N 99.73°W / 41.39; -99.73

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