Wayne County, Nebraska

Wayne County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,697.[1] Its county seat is Wayne.[2]

Wayne County
County
Wayne County Courthouse in Wayne
Wayne County Courthouse in Wayne
Map of Nebraska highlighting Wayne County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°13′N 97°07′W
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1870
Named forAnthony Wayne
SeatWayne
Largest cityWayne
Area
 • Total443 sq mi (1,150 km2)
 • Land443 sq mi (1,150 km2)
 • Water0.4 sq mi (1 km2)  0.09%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total9,697
 • Density22/sq mi (8.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.waynecountyne.org

In the Nebraska license plate system, Wayne County is represented by the prefix 27 (it had the 27th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Wayne County was organized by a proclamation of Governor David Butler in the fall of 1870. As the county was settled, precincts were formed and boundaries defined. Precincts were named for officials, early settlers, and neighborhood creeks. There are 13 precincts in Wayne County.

Wayne County, like the City of Wayne, was named for Revolutionary War General Anthony Wayne.[3]

Geography

The terrain of Wayne County consists of low rolling hills; mostly devoted to agriculture. The ground slopes to the east-northeast. A small drainage, South Logan Creek, flows east-northeastward through the central part of the county and exits flowing northeastward.[4]

The county has a total area of 443 square miles (1,150 km2), of which 443 square miles (1,150 km2) is land and 0.4 square miles (1.0 km2) (0.09%) is water.[5]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Protected areas
  • Sioux Strip State Wildlife Management Area[6]

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1870182—
1880813346.7%
18906,189661.3%
19009,86259.3%
191010,3975.4%
19209,725−6.5%
193010,5668.6%
19409,880−6.5%
195010,1292.5%
19609,959−1.7%
197010,4004.4%
19809,858−5.2%
19909,364−5.0%
20009,8515.2%
20109,595−2.6%
20209,6971.1%
2022 (est.)9,8711.8%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010[11] 2020 2022[12]

As of the 2000 United States Census[13] there were 9,851 people, 3,437 households, and 2,206 families in the county. The population density was 22 people per square mile (8.5 people/km2). There were 3,662 housing units at an average density of 8 units per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.78% White, 0.94% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.85% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.48% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 57.5% were of German, 6.0% Irish and 5.9% Swedish ancestry.

There were 3,437 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.20% were married couples living together, 5.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.80% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.02.

The county population contains 21.60% under the age of 18, 25.40% from 18 to 24, 21.20% from 25 to 44, 18.00% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28 years. For every 100 females there were 92.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,366, and the median income for a family was $43,840. Males had a median income of $27,848 versus $20,376 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,644. About 7.40% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.60% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated community

Several towns in Wayne County's early history no longer exist. LaPorte had nearly 300 citizens at one time and was home to a temporary courthouse until the railroad chose a different route. Towns such as Taffe, Logan City, Apex, Melvin, Weber and Spring Branch no longer exist.

Precincts

There are 13 precincts in Wayne County. They were named for officials, early settlers or neighborhood creeks.[14]

  • Brenna - named for the sister of F.E. Moses, the first settler in the precinct.
  • Chapin - named for early settler Arthur T. Chapin.
  • Deer Creek - named for the deer horns found on the prairies in early days.
  • Garfield - named for US President James A. Garfield.
  • Hancock - named for Civil War Brigadier General Winfield Scott Hancock.
  • Hoskins - first named Spring Branch; later named for Mr. Hoskins who was secretary for Mr. Peavy, a member of the land company that laid out the village of Hoskins.
  • Hunter - named for early settler Cyrus E. Hunter, from Lee County IL.
  • Logan - probably named for John A. Logan, the vice presidential candidate with presidential candidate James G. Blaine.
  • Leslie - either named for a pinoeer-days judge, or for a post office.
  • Plum Creek - named for wild plums seen along the creek in early days.
  • Sherman - named for Civil War General.
  • Strahan - named for J.M. Strahan, an early settler.
  • Wilbur - named for Russell H. Wilbur, a pioneer in the precinct.

Politics

Wayne County voters have been strongly Republican for many decades, voting for the Republican candidate in every presidential election except for three from 1900 onward. In addition, no Democratic presidential candidate has won the county since 1936.

United States presidential election results for Wayne County, Nebraska[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,055 72.43% 1,022 24.23% 141 3.34%
2016 2,693 71.32% 835 22.11% 248 6.57%
2012 2,493 67.71% 1,074 29.17% 115 3.12%
2008 2,503 65.73% 1,249 32.80% 56 1.47%
2004 2,971 72.73% 1,059 25.92% 55 1.35%
2000 2,774 70.41% 1,001 25.41% 165 4.19%
1996 2,150 58.49% 1,048 28.51% 478 13.00%
1992 2,122 51.73% 921 22.45% 1,059 25.82%
1988 2,473 68.43% 1,111 30.74% 30 0.83%
1984 3,075 78.13% 833 21.16% 28 0.71%
1980 2,844 72.53% 733 18.69% 344 8.77%
1976 2,521 67.99% 1,089 29.37% 98 2.64%
1972 2,659 74.67% 902 25.33% 0 0.00%
1968 2,582 72.53% 786 22.08% 192 5.39%
1964 2,359 59.14% 1,630 40.86% 0 0.00%
1960 3,274 76.16% 1,025 23.84% 0 0.00%
1956 3,040 72.68% 1,143 27.32% 0 0.00%
1952 3,338 79.40% 866 20.60% 0 0.00%
1948 2,323 66.73% 1,158 33.27% 0 0.00%
1944 2,886 73.87% 1,021 26.13% 0 0.00%
1940 3,209 69.70% 1,395 30.30% 0 0.00%
1936 2,149 47.26% 2,322 51.07% 76 1.67%
1932 1,455 35.03% 2,608 62.78% 91 2.19%
1928 2,354 64.88% 1,235 34.04% 39 1.07%
1924 1,840 52.50% 775 22.11% 890 25.39%
1920 2,312 74.46% 681 21.93% 112 3.61%
1916 1,208 53.26% 1,006 44.36% 54 2.38%
1912 600 27.80% 808 37.44% 750 34.75%
1908 1,297 54.38% 1,055 44.23% 33 1.38%
1904 1,453 68.25% 549 25.79% 127 5.97%
1900 1,246 56.18% 951 42.88% 21 0.95%

See also

References
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Wayne County, Nebraska.
  1. "Wayne County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Chicago and North Western Railway Co. (1908). A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways. p. 165.
  4. Wayne 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. Sioux Strip State Wildlife Management Area, Randolph NE Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)
  7. "US Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  9. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  10. "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.
  11. "QuickFacts: Wayne County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. United States Census Bureau. July 1, 2022. Retrieved June 3, 2023.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  13. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. "Wayne County Precincts". County of Wayne NE. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  15. Election Results

42.21°N 97.12°W / 42.21; -97.12

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