Lancaster County, Nebraska

Lancaster County, Nebraska
County
Justice and Law Enforcement Center in Lincoln
Flag
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 40°47′01″N 96°41′19″W / 40.783547°N 96.688658°W / 40.783547; -96.688658
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedMarch 16, 1855 (created)
October 10, 1859 (organized)
Named afterLancaster, England
SeatLincoln
Largest cityLincoln
Area
 • Total
846.383 sq mi (2,192.12 km2)
 • Land837.560 sq mi (2,169.27 km2)
 • Water8.823 sq mi (22.85 km2)  1.04%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
322,608
 • Estimate 
(2024)
332,857
 • Density385.176/sq mi (148.717/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code402 and 531
Congressional district1st
Websitelancaster.ne.gov
• Nebraska county number 55[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 02[2]

Lancaster County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 322,608,[3] and was estimated to be 332,857 in 2024,[4] making it the second-most populous county in Nebraska. The county seat and the largest city is Lincoln.[5] The second-most populous city in Nebraska and the 72nd-most populous city in the United States.

Lancaster County is part of the Lincoln, Nebraska metropolitan area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Lancaster County was represented by the prefix "2" (as it had the second-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922). In 2002, the state discontinued the 1922 system in the three most populous counties: Douglas, Lancaster, and Sarpy Counties.

History

Lancaster County was created on March 16, 1855 and organized on October 10, 1859.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 846.383 square miles (2,192.12 km2), of which 837.560 square miles (2,169.27 km2) is land and 8.823 square miles (22.85 km2) (1.04%) is water.[7] It is the 26th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[8]

Major highways

Transit

Climate

In 2004,[9] Lancaster County was named a StormReady county by the National Weather Service.[10]

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860153—
18707,0744,523.5%
188028,090297.1%
189076,395172.0%
190064,835−15.1%
191073,79313.8%
192085,90216.4%
1930100,32416.8%
1940100,5850.3%
1950119,74219.0%
1960155,27229.7%
1970167,9728.2%
1980192,88414.8%
1990213,64110.8%
2000250,29117.2%
2010285,40714.0%
2020322,60813.0%
2024 (est.)332,857[20] 3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[21]
1790–1960[22] 1900–1990[23]
1990–2000[24] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Lancaster County was $302,196.[25]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 138,747 estimated households in Lancaster County with an average of 2.29 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $75,165. Approximately 12.6% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Lancaster County has an estimated 67.0% employment rate, with 44.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 93.9% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 144,949 housing units at an average density of 173.06 per square mile (66.8/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 (87.0%), Spanish (5.2%), Indo-European (3.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (3.2%), and Other (1.1%).

The median age in the county was 34.5 years.

Lancaster 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[26] Pop. 1990[27] Pop. 2000[28] Pop. 2010[29] Pop. 2020[30]
White alone (NH) 183,254
(95.01%)		 200,521
(93.86%)		 222,067
(88.72%)		 240,702
(84.34%)		 251,962
(78.10%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 3,472
(1.80%)		 4,583
(2.15%)		 6,892
(2.75%)		 9,636
(3.38%)		 13,369
(4.14%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 952
(0.49%)		 1,090
(0.51%)		 1,411
(0.56%)		 1,674
(0.59%)		 1,707
(0.53%)
Asian alone (NH) 1,723
(0.89%)		 3,335
(1.56%)		 7,118
(2.84%)		 9,895
(3.47%)		 13,975
(4.33%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 134
(0.05%)		 131
(0.05%)		 170
(0.05%)
Other race alone (NH) 604
(0.31%)		 174
(0.08%)		 352
(0.14%)		 379
(0.13%)		 1,351
(0.42%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 3,880
(1.55%)		 6,305
(2.21%)		 14,230
(4.41%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2,879
(1.49%)		 3,938
(1.84%)		 8,437
(3.37%)		 16,685
(5.85%)		 25,844
(8.01%)
Total 192,884
(100.00%)		 213,641
(100.00%)		 250,291
(100.00%)		 285,407
(100.00%)		 322,608
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 332,857 people, 138,747 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 397.41 inhabitants per square mile (153.4/km2). There were 144,949 housing units at an average density of 173.06 per square mile (66.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 85.2% White (77.7% NH White), 4.8% African American, 1.1% Native American, 5.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.0% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 322,608 people, 127,884 households, and 76,042 families residing in the county.[31] The population density was 385.18 inhabitants per square mile (148.7/km2). There were 135,484 housing units at an average density of 161.76 per square mile (62.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.11% White, 4.26% African American, 0.83% Native American, 4.37% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 3.24% from some other races and 7.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.01% of the population.[32]

The median age was 34.7 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 99.3 males age 18 and over.[33][34]

90.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 9.7% lived in rural areas.[35]

There were 127,884 households in the county, of which 29.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[33]

There were 135,484 housing units, of which 5.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 59.2% were owner-occupied and 40.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.0%.[33]

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 285,407 people, 113,373 households, and 69,309 families residing in the county.[36] The population density was 340.76 inhabitants per square mile (131.6/km2). There were 120,875 housing units at an average density of 144.32 per square mile (55.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 87.11% White, 3.48% African American, 0.75% Native American, 3.49% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.36% from some other races and 2.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.85% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 250,291 people, 99,187 households, and 60,702 families residing in the county. The population density was 298.83 inhabitants per square mile (115.4/km2). There were 104,217 housing units at an average density of 124.43 per square mile (48.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.07% White, 2.82% African American, 0.64% Native American, 2.86% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.69% from some other races and 1.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.37% of the population. 39.1% were of German, 7.9% English and 7.8% Irish ancestry.

There were 99,187 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 9.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.80% were non-families. 29.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population contained 23.50% under the age of 18, 15.40% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 10.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,850, and the median income for a family was $53,676. Males had a median income of $34,720 versus $25,614 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,265. About 5.50% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 6.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Census divisions

Lancaster County is divided into the following census divisions called precincts, defined by the boundaries of the original townships,[37]

  • Buda
  • Centerville
  • Denton
  • Elk
  • Garfield
  • Grant
  • Highlands
  • Lancaster
  • Little Salt
  • Middle Creek
  • Mill
  • Nemaha
  • North Bluff
  • Oak
  • Olive Branch
  • Panama
  • Rock Creek
  • Saltillo
  • South Pass
  • Stevens Creek
  • Stockton
  • Waverly
  • West Lincoln
  • West Oak
  • Yankee Hill

Politics

Lancaster County has historically been somewhat conservative for an urban county. In the last 30 national elections, Lancaster County selected the Republican Party candidate 78% of the time. However, it has become more competitive in recent years, largely due to the influence of Lincoln and the University of Nebraska. Since 1988, the margin in the county has been 10 points or less all but once. In 2008, Barack Obama won a narrow majority in Lancaster County, becoming the first Democrat to carry the county since 1964, and only the second since 1936. Republican Donald Trump never won the county in all three of his runs.

As of January 2025, Republicans maintain a relative advantage in party registration in the county.[38]

Political Party Number of registered voters (January 1, 2025)[39] Percent
Democratic 69,668 33.65%
Republican 83,423 40.29%
Independent 49,081 23.71%
Libertarian 3,294 1.59%
Legal Marijuana Now 1,570 0.76%
Total 207,036 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Lancaster County, Nebraska[40]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1880 3,397 69.50% 1,381 28.25% 110 2.25%
1884 4,011 62.69% 2,180 34.07% 207 3.24%
1888 5,677 56.97% 3,508 35.20% 780 7.83%
1892 5,858 52.69% 1,283 11.54% 3,977 35.77%
1896 6,513 52.17% 5,687 45.55% 284 2.27%
1900 7,465 55.27% 5,677 42.03% 365 2.70%
1904 8,167 70.77% 1,981 17.16% 1,393 12.07%
1908 7,428 45.15% 8,540 51.91% 485 2.95%
1912 2,566 18.16% 6,708 47.47% 4,857 34.37%
1916 7,042 42.20% 9,093 54.49% 553 3.31%
1920 15,638 62.58% 8,435 33.75% 917 3.67%
1924 18,061 54.40% 11,563 34.83% 3,575 10.77%
1928 30,523 75.17% 9,840 24.23% 242 0.60%
1932 20,772 52.29% 18,190 45.79% 761 1.92%
1936 20,902 47.39% 22,366 50.71% 838 1.90%
1940 27,384 58.63% 19,321 41.37% 0 0.00%
1944 26,715 58.01% 19,338 41.99% 0 0.00%
1948 23,620 56.29% 18,338 43.71% 0 0.00%
1952 36,797 67.49% 17,728 32.51% 0 0.00%
1956 35,591 64.94% 19,217 35.06% 0 0.00%
1960 37,725 62.57% 22,564 37.43% 0 0.00%
1964 23,887 40.91% 34,503 59.09% 0 0.00%
1968 33,051 55.52% 23,539 39.54% 2,940 4.94%
1972 42,573 62.15% 25,924 37.85% 0 0.00%
1976 39,041 56.47% 28,301 40.94% 1,789 2.59%
1980 38,780 50.87% 27,162 35.63% 10,291 13.50%
1984 48,778 59.31% 32,898 40.00% 569 0.69%
1988 44,744 49.87% 44,396 49.48% 583 0.65%
1992 41,590 39.46% 41,402 39.28% 22,407 21.26%
1996 44,812 45.86% 43,339 44.36% 9,557 9.78%
2000 55,514 51.82% 44,650 41.68% 6,968 6.50%
2004 69,764 56.03% 52,747 42.36% 1,998 1.60%
2008 59,398 46.59% 65,734 51.56% 2,358 1.85%
2012 62,434 49.02% 62,015 48.69% 2,906 2.28%
2016 61,588 45.21% 61,898 45.44% 12,737 9.35%
2020 70,092 44.58% 82,293 52.34% 4,830 3.07%
2024 74,215 46.75% 81,012 51.04% 3,507 2.21%

Representatives

  • Roma Amundson, District 4 Commissioner, retired U.S. Brigadier General

Education

School districts include:[41]

See also

Notable native

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lancaster County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  7. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lancaster County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  9. ^ "cpsws2004photos5". High Plains Regional Climate Center. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  10. ^ "Nebraska StormReady Communities". National Weather Service. Archived from the original on December 8, 2013. Retrieved December 2, 2013.
  11. ^ "Bluestem Lake State Recreation Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Conestoga Lake State Recreation Area, Denton, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 20, 2019.
  13. ^ "Frank Shoemaker Marsh". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  14. ^ "Holmes Lake Recreation Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  15. ^ "Olive Creek Lake State Recreation Area, Hallam, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  16. ^ "Stagecoach Lake State Recreation Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  17. ^ "Wagon Train Lake State Recreation Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  18. ^ "Wildwood Lake State Management Area, Valparaiso, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  19. ^ "Yankee Hill State Wildlife Management Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  21. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  22. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  23. ^ 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.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  26. ^ "Lancaster County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  27. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  28. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lancaster County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  29. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lancaster County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  30. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lancaster County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  31. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  32. ^ "How many people live in Lancaster County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  33. ^ a b c "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  34. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  35. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  36. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 279 of 385. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  37. ^ "History of Lancaster County and Townships". Lincoln-Lancaster County Genealogical Society. Retrieved August 3, 2024.
  38. ^ "2020 Eligible Voter Statistics" (PDF). Secretary of State of Nebraska. December 1, 2020.
  39. ^ "Voter Registration Statistics" (PDF). nebraska.gov. January 2, 2025. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
  40. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  41. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Lancaster County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved February 23, 2026. - Text list
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