Dodge County, Nebraska

Dodge County, Nebraska
County
The Dodge County Courthouse in Fremont
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°34′37″N 96°38′45″W / 41.577008°N 96.645852°W / 41.577008; -96.645852
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedNovember 23, 1854
Named afterAugustus C. Dodge
SeatFremont
Largest cityFremont
Area
 • Total
543.002 sq mi (1,406.37 km2)
 • Land528.844 sq mi (1,369.70 km2)
 • Water14.158 sq mi (36.67 km2)  2.61%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
37,167
 • Estimate 
(2024)
37,884
 • Density70.280/sq mi (27.135/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code402 and 531
Congressional district1st
Websitedodgecounty.nebraska.gov
• Nebraska county number 27[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 05[2]

Dodge County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,167,[3] and was estimated to be 37,884 in 2024,[4] making it the sixth-most populous county in Nebraska. The county seat and the largest city is Fremont.[5]

Dodge County comprises the Fremont, NE Micropolitan area, which is also included in the Omaha-Council Bluffs-Fremont, NE-IA combined area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Dodge County was represented by the prefix "5" (as it had the fifth-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Dodge County was created on November 23, 1854 and named after Iowa Senator Augustus C. Dodge.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 543.002 square miles (1,406.37 km2), of which 528.844 square miles (1,369.70 km2) is land and 14.158 square miles (36.67 km2) (2.61%) is water.[7] It is the 74th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[8]

The Elkhorn River runs through the NE part of Dodge County. It drains into the Platte River below the SE corner of the county. The Platte River runs along the south line of Dodge County.

Major highways

Transit

  • Express Arrow

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860309—
18704,2121,263.1%
188011,263167.4%
189019,26071.0%
190022,29815.8%
191022,145−0.7%
192023,1974.8%
193025,2738.9%
194023,799−5.8%
195026,26510.4%
196032,47123.6%
197034,7827.1%
198035,8473.1%
199034,500−3.8%
200036,1604.8%
201036,6911.5%
202037,1671.3%
2024 (est.)37,884[9]1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]
1790–1960[11] 1900–1990[12]
1990–2000[13] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Dodge County was $209,854.[14]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 15,168 estimated households in Dodge County with an average of 2.40 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $74,329. Approximately 11.0% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Dodge County has an estimated 64.0% employment rate, with 22.0% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 88.4% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 16,725 housing units at an average density of 31.63 per square mile (12.2/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (84.7%), Spanish (14.0%), Indo-European (0.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.3%), and Other (0.4%).

The median age in the county was 39.3 years.

Dodge County, Nebraska – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[15] Pop. 1990[16] Pop. 2000[17] Pop. 2010[18] Pop. 2020[19]
White alone (NH) 35,450
(98.89%)		 33,979
(98.49%)		 34,110
(94.33%)		 32,120
(87.54%)		 29,501
(79.37%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 55
(0.15%)		 63
(0.18%)		 145
(0.40%)		 183
(0.50%)		 215
(0.58%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 77
(0.21%)		 109
(0.32%)		 84
(0.23%)		 127
(0.35%)		 133
(0.36%)
Asian alone (NH) 85
(0.24%)		 119
(0.34%)		 178
(0.49%)		 180
(0.49%)		 183
(0.49%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 22
(0.06%)		 31
(0.08%)		 12
(0.03%)
Other race alone (NH) 23
(0.06%)		 7
(0.02%)		 10
(0.03%)		 32
(0.09%)		 93
(0.25%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 190
(0.53%)		 329
(0.90%)		 947
(2.55%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 157
(0.44%)		 223
(0.65%)		 1,421
(3.93%)		 3,689
(10.05%)		 6,083
(16.37%)
Total 35,847
(100.00%)		 34,500
(100.00%)		 36,160
(100.00%)		 36,691
(100.00%)		 37,167
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 37,884 people, 15,168 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 71.64 inhabitants per square mile (27.7/km2). There were 16,725 housing units at an average density of 31.63 per square mile (12.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% White (76.5% NH White), 1.5% African American, 2.7% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.4% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 19.9% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 37,167 people, 14,813 households, and 9,670 families residing in the county.[20] The population density was 70.28 inhabitants per square mile (27.1/km2). There were 16,191 housing units at an average density of 30.62 per square mile (11.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.19% White, 0.66% African American, 0.94% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 8.55% from some other races and 7.05% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 16.37% of the population.[21]

The median age was 38.8 years. 24.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 19.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.5 males age 18 and over.[22]

76.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 23.9% lived in rural areas.[23]

There were 14,813 households in the county, of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.0% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 16,191 housing units, of which 8.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.0% were owner-occupied and 35.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 36,691 people, 14,990 households, and 9,894 families residing in the county.[24] The population density was 69.38 inhabitants per square mile (26.8/km2). There were 16,584 housing units at an average density of 31.36 per square mile (12.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.86% White, 0.56% African American, 0.49% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.20% Pacific Islander, 5.95% from some other races and 1.42% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 10.05% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 36,160 people, 14,433 households, and 9,756 families residing in the county. The population density was 68.38 inhabitants per square mile (26.4/km2). There were 15,468 housing units at an average density of 29.25 per square mile (11.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.90% White, 0.43% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.09% Pacific Islander, 2.06% from some other races and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.93% of the population. 48.1% were of German, 7.6% Irish, 5.7% English and 5.4% American ancestry.

There were 14,433 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.40% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.95.

The county population contained 24.70% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 17.50% who were 65 years of age or older.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,188, and the median income for a family was $44,790. Males had a median income of $31,108 versus $20,915 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,757. About 5.30% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.30% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Bygone cities

Townships

Politics and government

Dodge County voters are strongly Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate. In the Nebraska Legislature, Dodge County is represented by Lynne Walz. While elections to the Legislature are nonpartisan, Walz is a Democrat.

Political Party Number of registered voters (March 1, 2026)[25] Percent
Republican 11,933 53.70%
Democratic 4,911 22.10%
Independent 4,812 21.65%
Libertarian 351 1.58%
Legal Marijuana Now 216 0.97%
Total 22,223 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Dodge County, Nebraska[26]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1900 2,632 51.49% 2,410 47.14% 70 1.37%
1904 2,789 59.38% 1,646 35.04% 262 5.58%
1908 2,437 46.34% 2,664 50.66% 158 3.00%
1912 1,330 29.33% 1,987 43.81% 1,218 26.86%
1916 2,446 46.10% 2,644 49.83% 216 4.07%
1920 4,832 70.40% 1,799 26.21% 233 3.39%
1924 3,798 45.63% 2,183 26.23% 2,342 28.14%
1928 6,250 60.59% 4,030 39.07% 35 0.34%
1932 3,489 32.14% 7,247 66.76% 119 1.10%
1936 4,561 40.22% 6,317 55.71% 461 4.07%
1940 7,141 62.51% 4,282 37.49% 0 0.00%
1944 6,803 61.39% 4,278 38.61% 0 0.00%
1948 5,848 54.56% 4,870 45.44% 0 0.00%
1952 9,256 71.54% 3,682 28.46% 0 0.00%
1956 9,210 69.26% 4,088 30.74% 0 0.00%
1960 9,638 67.21% 4,702 32.79% 0 0.00%
1964 6,812 50.30% 6,731 49.70% 0 0.00%
1968 8,059 63.78% 3,755 29.72% 822 6.51%
1972 9,837 72.00% 3,826 28.00% 0 0.00%
1976 8,982 62.03% 5,283 36.48% 216 1.49%
1980 9,522 66.82% 3,564 25.01% 1,164 8.17%
1984 10,201 70.15% 4,266 29.34% 74 0.51%
1988 8,417 57.66% 6,116 41.90% 64 0.44%
1992 7,271 44.30% 4,667 28.44% 4,474 27.26%
1996 7,484 50.95% 5,181 35.27% 2,023 13.77%
2000 8,871 61.30% 5,021 34.69% 580 4.01%
2004 10,716 66.26% 5,250 32.46% 206 1.27%
2008 8,557 55.03% 6,689 43.02% 304 1.95%
2012 8,995 60.17% 5,673 37.95% 282 1.89%
2016 9,933 63.96% 4,544 29.26% 1,052 6.77%
2020 10,984 64.85% 5,544 32.73% 410 2.42%
2024 10,795 65.39% 5,434 32.92% 279 1.69%

Law enforcement

The Dodge County Sheriff's Office (DCSO) is the primary law enforcement agency for Dodge County, Nebraska. The Sheriff's Office is located at 428 N. Broad St in Fremont.

Currently, DCSO serves the county and its incorporated cities within the county. The only village that relies solely on DCSO for police services is North Bend, Nebraska, which is known as a contract city. All other cities within the county have some type of police department or city marshal.

Education

School districts include:[27]

  • Arlington Public Schools, #24, Arlington
  • Fremont Public Schools, #1, Fremont
  • Howells-Dodge Consolidated Schools, #70, Howells
  • Logan View Public Schools, #594, Logan View
  • North Bend Central Public Schools, #595, North Bend
  • Oakland-Craig Public Schools, #14, Oakland
  • Scribner-Snyder Community Schools, #62, Scribner
  • West Point Public Schools, #1, West Point

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Dodge County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  7. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Dodge County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  9. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  12. ^ 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.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  15. ^ "Dodge County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  16. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  17. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Dodge County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  18. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dodge County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  19. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Dodge County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  21. ^ "How many people live in Dodge County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  22. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  23. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  24. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 272 of 385. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  25. ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  26. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 7, 2026.
  27. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Dodge County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 7, 2026. - Text list
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