Alliance, Nebraska

Alliance is a city and the county seat of Box Butte County,[3] in the western part of the state of Nebraska, in the Great Plains region of the United States. Its population was 8,151 at the 2020 census.[4]

Alliance, Nebraska
City
Downtown Alliance: Box Butte Avenue
Downtown Alliance: Box Butte Avenue
Location of Alliance within Nebraska and Box Butte County
Location of Alliance within Nebraska and Box Butte County
Coordinates: 42°06′11″N 102°52′36″W
CountryUnited States
StateNebraska
CountyBox Butte
Area
[1]
 • Total4.91 sq mi (12.71 km2)
 • Land4.89 sq mi (12.68 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation
[2]
3,970 ft (1,210 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,151
 • Density1,665.51/sq mi (643.05/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain (MST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
ZIP code
69301
Area code308
FIPS code31-00905
GNIS feature ID2393923[2]
Websitecityofalliance.net

Alliance is the home to Carhenge, a replica of Stonehenge constructed with automobiles, which is located north of the city. It is also the location of Alliance Municipal Airport, the least-used airport in the mainland United States.

History

The town was originally named Grand Lake. When the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad came to Grand Lake in 1888, the railroad superintendent, G.W. Holdrege, wanted to change it to a simple one-word name closer to the beginning of the alphabet, which he thought would be better for business.[5] The U.S. Post Office gave Holdrege permission, and he picked "Alliance" for the new name of the town. Alliance was incorporated as a city in 1891.[6]

The Alliance Army Airfield was established in 1942. Construction was completed in August 1943 and the Army Air Corps used the facility as a training base until the end of World War II. The facility was transferred from the federal government to the City of Alliance in 1953 and is currently in use as the Alliance Municipal Airport.

In the Lakota language, Alliance is known as čhasmú okáȟmi, meaning "Sand River Bend".[7]

Geography

Alliance is located at the western edge of Nebraska's Sand Hills. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.73 square miles (12.25 km2), of which 4.72 square miles (12.22 km2) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km2) is water.[8]

Climate

Located in the High Plains, Alliance's climate is rather typical of the surrounding region. Under the Köppen climate classification, the town features a BSk climate, commonly described as a "Cold Steppe", with winters just below the −3 °C (26.6 °F) threshold needed to be classified as a Continental climate, if it had enough precipitation to not be arid or semi-arid.

The all-time record high for Alliance is 110 °F (43 °C), set in 1983, and the all-time record low is −42 °F (−41 °C), set in 1989. Precipitation is significantly higher in summer than in winter, with the wettest month being June, and the driest month being January.

Climate data for Alliance, Nebraska
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 70
(21)		 77
(25)		 84
(29)		 91
(33)		 101
(38)		 105
(41)		 110
(43)		 105
(41)		 102
(39)		 91
(33)		 80
(27)		 72
(22)		 110
(43)
Average high °F (°C) 40
(4)		 42
(6)		 51
(11)		 60
(16)		 70
(21)		 80
(27)		 89
(32)		 87
(31)		 77
(25)		 63
(17)		 49
(9)		 40
(4)		 62
(17)
Average low °F (°C) 12
(−11)		 15
(−9)		 22
(−6)		 31
(−1)		 42
(6)		 52
(11)		 58
(14)		 56
(13)		 45
(7)		 32
(0)		 21
(−6)		 12
(−11)		 33
(1)
Record low °F (°C) −31
(−35)		 −40
(−40)		 −25
(−32)		 −12
(−24)		 7
(−14)		 27
(−3)		 33
(1)		 30
(−1)		 15
(−9)		 −8
(−22)		 −25
(−32)		 −42
(−41)		 −42
(−41)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 0.30
(7.6)		 0.38
(9.7)		 0.61
(15)		 1.69
(43)		 2.85
(72)		 2.98
(76)		 1.86
(47)		 1.54
(39)		 1.59
(40)		 0.90
(23)		 0.48
(12)		 0.32
(8.1)		 15.5
(392.4)
Average precipitation days 5 6 8 9 11 10 9 9 8 6 6 5 92
Mean monthly sunshine hours 179 190 230 246 277 308 340 306 266 237 179 163 2,921
Source 1: [9]
Source 2: [10]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1890829—
19002,535205.8%
19103,10522.5%
19204,59147.9%
19306,66945.3%
19406,253−6.2%
19507,89126.2%
19607,845−0.6%
19706,862−12.5%
19809,92044.6%
19909,765−1.6%
20008,959−8.3%
20108,491−5.2%
20208,151−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[11]
2012 Estimate[12]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census[13] counted 8,151 people, 3,445 households, and 2,173 families in Alliance. The population density was 1,666.9 per square mile (642.8/km2). There were 4,036 housing units at an average density of 825.4 per square mile (318.3/km2). The racial makeup was 80.75% (6,582) white, 0.76% (62) black or African-American, 4.17% (340) Native American, 0.82% (67) Asian, 0.06% (5) Pacific Islander, 4.72% (385) from other races, and 8.71% (710) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 15.0% (1,286) of the population.

Of the 3,445 households, 29.9% had children under the age of 18; 49.7% were married couples living together; 24.7% had a female householder with no husband present. 33.8% of households consisted of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 2.9.

25.9% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 24.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.4 years. For every 100 females, the population had 102.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 95.3 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey[14] estimates show that the median household income was $57,898 (with a margin of error of +/- $14,867) and the median family income $83,969 (+/- $16,048). Males had a median income of $42,001 (+/- $8,679) versus $26,975 (+/- $5,462) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $34,457 (+/- $4,215). Approximately, 9.6% of families and 13.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.4% of those under the age of 18 and 13.1% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census[15] of 2010, there were 8,491 people, 3,559 households, and 2,276 families living in the city. The population density was 1,798.9 inhabitants per square mile (694.6/km2). There were 4,075 housing units at an average density of 863.3 per square mile (333.3/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.5% White, 0.5% African American, 4.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 4.2% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 12.3% of the population.

There were 3,559 households, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.3% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 39.8 years. 25.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,959 people, 3,565 households, and 2,392 families living in the city. The population density was 1,879.1 inhabitants per square mile (725.5/km2). There were 4,062 housing units at an average density of 852.0 per square mile (329.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 89.09% White, 0.49% African American, 3.40% Native American, 0.60% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 4.31% from other races, and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.94% of the population.

There were 3,565 households, out of which 36.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 28.1% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 27.1% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 14.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $39,408, and the median income for a family was $47,766. Males had a median income of $39,122 versus $22,561 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,584. About 10.6% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.1% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Historic St. Agnes Academy is the local Catholic school.

Education

Alliance Public Schools operates five schools: Early Childhood Center (birth to age 5), Emerson Elementary (kindergarten through grade 2), Grandview Elementary (grades 3–5), Alliance Middle School (grades 6–8), and Alliance High School (grades 9–12).[16]

St. Agnes Academy is the local parochial school, in association with Holy Rosary and St. Bridget Catholic Churches. St. Agnes is located within a historic building designed by noted architect William L. Steele.[17][18]

Transportation

Airport

Alliance is served by the Alliance Municipal Airport, three miles southeast of the city, which it owns. In the 12 months ending in January 2021, the airport received 2,882 passengers, or an average of just 8 per day, making it the least-used airport in the mainland United States.[19]

Railway

The BNSF railway line from the northern exit of the Powder River Basin, one of the largest coal-mining areas of the world, to Alliance and the eastern United States, sees a rather large number of coal trains every day,[20] to power plants in the Midwest and South.[21] In the southern areas of Alliance there is a large train yard which hosts many of these coal trains.

Tourism

Among the city's attractions is Carhenge, an assemblage of thirty-eight vehicles built in the model of Stonehenge by Jim Reinders and thirty-five family members in the summer of 1987. The sculpture was constructed on the farm of Reinders's late father just north of Alliance. Other works have been built in the surrounding area of the sculpture.[22]

Additionally, during August 2017, a total solar eclipse moved directly over the city, making it one of the best cities in Nebraska to see it, along with Grand Island and Falls City.

Notable people

In fiction

The second half of Ann Patchett's 1997 novel The Magician's Assistant is set entirely in Alliance.[31]

References
  1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
  2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Alliance, Nebraska
  3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Alliance city, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 21, 2021.
  5. "Alliance, Box Butte County". Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. University of Nebraska. Retrieved July 30, 2014.
  6. Shumway, Grant Lee (1921). History of Western Nebraska and Its People. Western publishing & engraving Company. p. 204.
  7. Ullrich, Jan F. (2014). New Lakota Dictionary (2nd ed.). Bloomington, IN: Lakota Language Consortium. ISBN 978-0-9761082-9-0. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved May 13, 2014.
  8. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  9. "Alliance, NE Monthly Averages". The Weather Channel. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  10. "Alliance, Nebraska Weather". Chinci World Atlas. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved December 4, 2011.
  11. United States Census Bureau. "Census of Population and Housing". Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  12. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved October 16, 2013.
  13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  14. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2023.
  15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  16. Alliance Public Schools Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine, subpages under "Schools" tab. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  17. "Alliance Schools". Local School Directory. Local School Directory.com. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  18. "Saint Agnes Academy". Alliance, Nebraska: Holy Rosary and St. Bridget Catholic Churches. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  19. "STRANDED at the LEAST USED Airport in Mainland USA!". Youtube.com. May 9, 2021. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  20. "Trainpics: USA - Crawford Hill". Archived from the original on July 19, 2011. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
  21. "Trains on the High Plains (VHS video)". Archived from the original on May 21, 2009. Retrieved September 1, 2008.
  22. Phaneuf, Paul. History of Carhenge Archived 2009-02-02 at the Wayback Machine, Friends of Carhenge
  23. Brothers, Jeffrey Lee (2003). Hot Hits: Ac Charts 1978-2001. p. 16. ISBN 978-1-4107-3294-1.
  24. Markoff, John (October 21, 2016). "David Bunnell, Whose Magazines Were Tech World Must-Reads, Dies at 69". The New York Times.
  25. "Helen Duhamel: Hall of Fame 1992". Nebraska Broadcasters’ Association Hall of Fame. Omaha, Nebraska: Nebraska Broadcasters’ Association. 1992. Archived from the original on October 16, 2013. Retrieved April 10, 2012.
  26. Yardley, William (October 11, 2013). "James A. Emanuel, Poet Who Wrote of Racism, Dies at 92". The New York Times.
  27. "Jordan Hooper WNBA Stats". Basketball-Reference.
  28. "Nebraska State Historical Society Collection Record" (PDF). history.nebraska.gov.
  29. Todd, Michael (July 12, 2011). "Luke Redfield Rediscovers Nebraska | Q&A". Hear Nebraska.
  30. "All-BIG 12 Awards" (PDF). Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  31. Berne, Suzanne (November 16, 1997). "Sleight of Hand". The New York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2007.
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