Antelope County, Nebraska
Antelope County, Nebraska | |
|---|---|
The Antelope County Courthouse in Neligh | |
|
Seal | |
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska | |
| Coordinates: 42°11′00″N 98°03′29″W / 42.183225°N 98.058037°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| Founded | March 1, 1871 (created) June 15, 1871 (organized) |
| Named after | Pronghorn antelope |
| Seat | Neligh |
| Largest city | Neligh |
| Area | |
• Total | 858.592 sq mi (2,223.74 km2) |
| • Land | 857.157 sq mi (2,220.03 km2) |
| • Water | 1.435 sq mi (3.72 km2) 0.17% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 6,295 |
• Estimate (2024) | 6,358 |
| • Density | 7.344/sq mi (2.836/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 402 and 531 |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | antelopecounty.nebraska.gov |
| • Nebraska county number 02[1] • Nebraska license plate prefix 26[2] | |
Antelope County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 6,295,[3] and was estimated to be 6,358 in 2024.[4] The county seat and the largest city is Neligh.[5] The Ashfall Fossil Beds National Natural Landmark is located within the county.
In the Nebraska license plate system, Antelope County was represented by the prefix "26" (as it had the 26th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).
History
Antelope county was created on March 1, 1871 and organized on June 15, 1871.[6][7][8] Named for the pronghorn antelopes that roamed the region. The first known settler in the area was George St. Clair, known as "Ponca George," who made a claim in 1868. The county's initial settlement was slow due in part to popular views of Great American Desert as unsuitable for farming without significant effort in land reclamation.[9] It received its name after a group of early settlers killed and ate several pronghorn.[10] Although these are not true antelope, they are colloquially known by that name.[11]
The growth of Antelope County was significantly influenced by the construction of railroads through the area. The Sioux City and Nebraska Railroad reached Neligh in 1879, which was then designated as the county seat. This connection to broader markets spurred agricultural development. Wheat, oats, and later corn became staple crops, and the county saw an influx of settlers after the railroad's arrival.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 858.592 square miles (2,223.74 km2), of which 857.157 square miles (2,220.03 km2) is land and 1.435 square miles (3.72 km2) (0.17%) is water.[12] It is the 24th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[13]
Major highways
- U.S. Highway 20
- U.S. Highway 275
- Nebraska Highway 13
- Nebraska Highway 14
- Nebraska Highway 45
- Nebraska Highway 70
Protected areas
Adjacent counties
- Pierce County – east
- Madison County – southeast
- Boone County – south
- Wheeler County – southwest
- Holt County – west
- Knox County – north
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 3,953 | — | |
| 1890 | 10,399 | 163.1% | |
| 1900 | 11,344 | 9.1% | |
| 1910 | 14,003 | 23.4% | |
| 1920 | 15,243 | 8.9% | |
| 1930 | 15,206 | −0.2% | |
| 1940 | 13,289 | −12.6% | |
| 1950 | 11,264 | −15.2% | |
| 1960 | 10,176 | −9.7% | |
| 1970 | 9,047 | −11.1% | |
| 1980 | 8,675 | −4.1% | |
| 1990 | 7,965 | −8.2% | |
| 2000 | 7,452 | −6.4% | |
| 2010 | 6,685 | −10.3% | |
| 2020 | 6,295 | −5.8% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 6,358 | [14] | 1.0% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[15] 1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17] 1990–2000[18] 2010–2020[4] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 6,295. The median age was 43.7 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 24.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.6 males age 18 and over.[19][20]
The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.5% of the population.[20]
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[21]
There were 2,670 households in the county, of which 25.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 21.3% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]
There were 3,112 housing units, of which 14.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.5% were owner-occupied and 25.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.9%.[19]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 7,452 people, 2,953 households, and 2,073 families in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (3.5 people/km2). There were 3,346 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.82% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.05% Asian, 0.28% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 57.9% were of German, 6.6% English, 6.6% American and 5.9% Irish ancestry.
There were 2,953 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.50% were married couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.80% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.05.
The county population contained 27.50% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 23.30% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 19.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,114, and the median income for a family was $36,240. Males had a median income of $26,288 versus $16,926 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,601. About 10.30% of families and 13.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 11.90% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
Cities
Villages
Townships
Politics
Antelope County voters are strongly Republican. In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.
| Political Party | Number of registered voters (March 1, 2026)[22] | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 3,270 | 75.91% | |
| Independent | 529 | 12.28% | |
| Democratic | 469 | 10.89% | |
| Libertarian | 26 | 0.60% | |
| Legal Marijuana Now | 14 | 0.32% | |
| Total | 4,308 | 100.00% | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1900 | 1,342 | 48.75% | 1,356 | 49.26% | 55 | 2.00% |
| 1904 | 1,813 | 64.73% | 353 | 12.60% | 635 | 22.67% |
| 1908 | 1,658 | 51.68% | 1,455 | 45.36% | 95 | 2.96% |
| 1912 | 877 | 27.90% | 1,238 | 39.39% | 1,028 | 32.71% |
| 1916 | 1,495 | 43.33% | 1,881 | 54.52% | 74 | 2.14% |
| 1920 | 3,322 | 70.91% | 1,154 | 24.63% | 209 | 4.46% |
| 1924 | 2,598 | 47.12% | 1,150 | 20.86% | 1,765 | 32.02% |
| 1928 | 4,277 | 67.80% | 2,016 | 31.96% | 15 | 0.24% |
| 1932 | 2,270 | 35.38% | 4,053 | 63.17% | 93 | 1.45% |
| 1936 | 3,304 | 49.52% | 3,165 | 47.44% | 203 | 3.04% |
| 1940 | 4,331 | 66.77% | 2,155 | 33.23% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 3,888 | 70.61% | 1,618 | 29.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 2,868 | 60.49% | 1,873 | 39.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 4,377 | 80.39% | 1,068 | 19.61% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 3,607 | 73.00% | 1,334 | 27.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,617 | 71.10% | 1,470 | 28.90% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 2,566 | 56.15% | 2,004 | 43.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,805 | 68.13% | 952 | 23.12% | 360 | 8.74% |
| 1972 | 3,228 | 79.14% | 851 | 20.86% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 2,488 | 64.01% | 1,325 | 34.09% | 74 | 1.90% |
| 1980 | 3,192 | 78.68% | 659 | 16.24% | 206 | 5.08% |
| 1984 | 3,222 | 81.80% | 697 | 17.69% | 20 | 0.51% |
| 1988 | 2,626 | 73.78% | 933 | 26.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1992 | 1,979 | 52.41% | 650 | 17.21% | 1,147 | 30.38% |
| 1996 | 2,005 | 59.50% | 884 | 26.23% | 481 | 14.27% |
| 2000 | 2,562 | 76.07% | 678 | 20.13% | 128 | 3.80% |
| 2004 | 2,761 | 80.64% | 613 | 17.90% | 50 | 1.46% |
| 2008 | 2,383 | 74.82% | 757 | 23.77% | 45 | 1.41% |
| 2012 | 2,596 | 80.32% | 571 | 17.67% | 65 | 2.01% |
| 2016 | 2,732 | 83.27% | 383 | 11.67% | 166 | 5.06% |
| 2020 | 3,093 | 86.23% | 452 | 12.60% | 42 | 1.17% |
| 2024 | 3,032 | 87.68% | 396 | 11.45% | 30 | 0.87% |
See also
References
- ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Antelope County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Antelope County". Nebraska Association of County Officials (NACO). Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "Antelope County, Nebraska : Historical Note" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Leach, A. J. (February 5, 2018). A History Antelope County Nebraska: From Its First Settlement in 1868 to the Close of the Year 1883; December, 1909 (Classic Reprint). Fb&c Limited. ISBN 978-0-484-91521-2.
- ^ Burr, George L. (1921). History of Hamilton and Clay Counties, Nebraska, Vol. 1. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. p. 96.
- ^ "Pronghorn". San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Animals & Plants. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Antelope County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
- ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ a b "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 5, 2026.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 5, 2026.