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Blaine County, Nebraska

Coordinates: 41°56′N 99°59′W / 41.93°N 99.98°W / 41.93; -99.98
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Blaine County
County
Blaine County Courthouse in Brewster
Blaine County Courthouse in Brewster
Map of Nebraska highlighting Blaine 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°56′N 99°59′W / 41.93°N 99.98°W / 41.93; -99.98
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1885 (authorized)
1886 (organized)
Named forJames G. Blaine
SeatBrewster
Largest villageDunning
Area
 • Total
714 sq mi (1,850 km2)
 • Land711 sq mi (1,840 km2)
 • Water3.6 sq mi (9 km2)  0.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
431
 • Density0.60/sq mi (0.23/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websiteblainecounty.nebraska.gov

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]

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

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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

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Adjacent counties

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National protected area

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History

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Blaine County, named after James G. Blaine, a prominent American politician, was established on March 23, 1885. The settlement of Blaine County , like the rest of the Sandhills region, began later than many other Nebraska counties due to its less accessible and perceived less fertile location than other parts of Nebraska. Not until the passage of the Kinkaid Act in 1904, which allowed homesteaders to claim 640 acres instead of the usual 160 under the Homestead Act, did significant settlement in the county occur.[7]

The first settlements in Blaine County were primarily for ranching rather than farming. The town of Brewster, established in 1884, became the county seat. Ranching, particularly cattle, became the economic mainstay, as the sandy soil was better suited for grazing than for crop cultivation. The settlers adapted to the environment by focusing on livestock, with cattle drives and the eventual development of cattle breeding being central to the county's economy.[7]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18901,146—
1900603−47.4%
19101,672177.3%
19201,7786.3%
19301,584−10.9%
19401,538−2.9%
19501,203−21.8%
19601,016−15.5%
1970847−16.6%
19808672.4%
1990675−22.1%
2000583−13.6%
2010478−18.0%
2020431−9.8%
US Decennial Census[8]
1790-1960[9] 1900-1990[10]
1990-2000[11] 2010[12]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[14] 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

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Villages

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Unincorporated communities

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Politics

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Blaine County voters are strongly Republican. In only four national elections since 1900 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, and none since 1936.

United States presidential election results for Blaine County, Nebraska[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 250 85.62% 37 12.67% 5 1.71%
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

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  1. ^ "Blaine County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 16, 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. 18. ISBN 0803250606.
  4. ^ "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. May 15, 1989. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  5. ^ "Blaine County - History". Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  7. ^ a b Buechler, August F.; Barr, Robert J. (1920). History of Hall County, Nebraska: A Narrative of the Past with Special Emphasis Upon the Pioneer Period of the County's History, and Chronological Presentation of Its Social, Commercial, Educational, Religious, and Civic Development from the Early Days to the Present Time, and Special Analysis of Its Military and Civil Participation in the Late World War. Western Publishing and Engraving Company.
  8. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States 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 August 6, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
  13. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  14. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  15. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".

41°56′N 99°59′W / 41.93°N 99.98°W / 41.93; -99.98

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