Boone County, Nebraska

Boone County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,386,^[3] and was estimated to be 5,354 in 2024.^[4] The county seat and the largest city is Albion.^[5]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Boone County was represented by the prefix "23" (as it had the 23rd-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Boone County was created on March 1, 1871,^[6][7] and named in honor of frontiersman Daniel Boone.^[8] The settlement of Boone County began with the arrival of explorers and settlers in the late 1860s. One of the first white settlers was S.D. Avery, who in 1871 established a claim near what would become the town of Albion. The initial settlement was encouraged by the expansion of railroads and the availability of land under the Homestead Act of 1862.^[9]

The community of Albion was platted in 1872 and became the county seat after a contest with the town of Boone. This rivalry for the county seat was common in many frontier counties, reflecting the ambition and growth aspirations of the nascent communities. Agriculture quickly became the backbone of the local economy, with wheat, corn, and later oats being predominant.

The development of Boone County was relatively rapid thanks to its fertile soil and the dedication of its settlers. The railroad, reaching Albion in the early 1880s, played a crucial role in the county's growth, providing access to markets for agricultural products and bringing in more settlers. The county's population and infrastructure expanded, with schools, churches, and businesses being established to support the burgeoning agricultural community.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 687.217 square miles (1,779.88 km²), of which 686.530 square miles (1,778.10 km²) is land and 0.687 square miles (1.78 km²) (0.10%) is water.^[10] It is the 41st-largest county in Nebraska by total area.^[11]

• Nebraska Highway 14
• Nebraska Highway 32
• Nebraska Highway 39
• Nebraska Highway 45
• Nebraska Highway 52
• Nebraska Highway 56
• Nebraska Highway 91

• Madison County – northeast
• Platte County – southeast
• Nance County – south
• Greeley County – southwest
• Wheeler County – northwest
• Antelope County – north

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 5,379. The median age was 44.7 years. 23.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.0 males age 18 and over.^[17]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.6% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.1% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.4% of the population.^[18]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.^[19]

There were 2,253 households in the county, of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 20.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 2,554 housing units, of which 11.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.6% were owner-occupied and 24.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.7%.

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,259 people, 2,454 households, and 1,700 families in the county. The population density was 9 people per square mile (3.5 people/km²). There were 2,733 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 99.25% White, 0.05% Black or African American, 0.05% Native American, 0.03% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.29% from two or more races. 0.89% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 54.6% were of German, 8.2% Irish, 5.9% Polish, 5.3% Norwegian and 5.1% Swedish ancestry.

There were 2,454 households, out of which 33.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.80% were married couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.70% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.11.

29.10% of the population is under the age of 18, 5.00% from 18 to 24, 24.20% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 20.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,444, and the median income for a family was $38,226. Males had a median income of $26,779 versus $18,438 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,831. About 8.30% of families and 10.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.70% of those under age 18 and 11.60% of those age 65 or over.

• Albion (county seat)
• St. Edward

• Cedar Rapids
• Petersburg
• Primrose

• Loretto
• Raeville

• Akron
• Boone
• Closter

Boone County voters have been strongly Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Boone County, Nebraska
• Olson Nature Preserve

• Boone County government's website
• Boone County chapter from History of the State of Nebraska. Chicago: The Western Historical Company. A.T. Andreas, Proprietor. 1882.
• Boone County entry from Semi-Centennial History of Nebraska, 1904