Lincoln County, Nebraska
Lincoln County, Nebraska | |
|---|---|
The Lincoln County Courthouse in North Platte Lincoln County, Nebraska | |
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska | |
| Coordinates: 41°03′01″N 100°44′40″W / 41.050323°N 100.74448°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Nebraska |
| Founded | January 7, 1860 |
| Named after | Abraham Lincoln |
| Seat | North Platte |
| Largest city | North Platte |
| Area | |
• Total | 2,575.119 sq mi (6,669.53 km2) |
| • Land | 2,564.155 sq mi (6,641.13 km2) |
| • Water | 10.964 sq mi (28.40 km2) 0.43% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 34,676 |
• Estimate (2024) | 33,319 |
| • Density | 13.523/sq mi (5.2214/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Area code | 308 |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | lincolncountyne.gov |
| • Nebraska county number 56[1] • Nebraska license plate prefix 15[2] | |
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,676,[3] and was estimated to be 33,319 in 2024.[4] The county seat and the largest city is North Platte.[5]
Despite the county's name, the state capital city of Lincoln is not in or near Lincoln County.
Lincoln County is one of the three counties in the North Platte micropolitan area.
In the Nebraska license plate system, Lincoln County was represented by the prefix "15" (as it had the 15th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).
History
Lincoln County was created on January 7, 1860;[6] it was named for Abraham Lincoln.[7]
Geography
Lincoln County is located in the Nebraska Sandhills, a region of mixed-grass prairie on grass-stabilized dunes. The land is generally given to agriculture, with considerable center pivot irrigation and cattle ranching. The North Platte River and the South Platte River flow eastward from Keith County, joining to form the Platte River east of the city of North Platte in central Lincoln County. The Platte then flows ESE out of the county.[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,575.119 square miles (6,669.53 km2), of which 2,564.155 square miles (6,641.13 km2) is land and 10.964 square miles (28.40 km2) (0.43%) is water.[9] It is the third-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[10]
Most of Nebraska's 93 counties (the eastern 2/3, including Lincoln County) observe Central Time; the western counties observe Mountain Time. Lincoln County is the westernmost of the Nebraska counties to entirely observe Central Time.[11]
Major highways
Transit
- Burlington Trailways
- Express Arrow
Adjacent counties
- McPherson County – northwest
- Logan County – northeast
- Custer County – east
- Dawson County – east
- Frontier County – southeast
- Hayes County – southwest
- Perkins County – west (boundary of Mountain Time)
- Keith County – west (boundary of Mountain Time)
Protected areas
- Birdwood Lake State Wildlife Management Area[12]
- East Hershey State Wildlife Management Area[13]
- East Sutherland State Wildlife Management Area[14]
- Fort McPherson National Cemetery[15]
- Jeffrey Canyon State Wildlife Management Area[16]
- Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area[17]
- Muskrat Run State Wildlife Management Area[18]
- Platte State Wildlife Management Area[19]
- Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area[20]
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1870 | 17 | — | |
| 1880 | 3,632 | 21,264.7% | |
| 1890 | 10,441 | 187.5% | |
| 1900 | 11,416 | 9.3% | |
| 1910 | 15,684 | 37.4% | |
| 1920 | 23,420 | 49.3% | |
| 1930 | 25,627 | 9.4% | |
| 1940 | 25,425 | −0.8% | |
| 1950 | 27,380 | 7.7% | |
| 1960 | 28,491 | 4.1% | |
| 1970 | 29,538 | 3.7% | |
| 1980 | 36,455 | 23.4% | |
| 1990 | 32,508 | −10.8% | |
| 2000 | 34,632 | 6.5% | |
| 2010 | 36,288 | 4.8% | |
| 2020 | 34,676 | −4.4% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 33,319 | [21] | −3.9% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[22] 1790–1960[23] 1900–1990[24] 1990–2000[25] 2010–2020[4] | |||
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 34,676. The median age was 41.4 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.9 males age 18 and over.[26][27]
The racial makeup of the county was 88.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.7% from some other race, and 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 8.7% of the population.[27]
68.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 32.0% lived in rural areas.[28]
There were 14,683 households in the county, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[26]
There were 16,526 housing units, of which 11.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.0% were owner-occupied and 32.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.7%.[26]
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 34,632 people, 14,076 households, and 9,444 families in the county. The population density was 14 people per square mile (5.4 people/km2). There are 15,438 housing units in Lincoln: 6 units per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.70% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.65% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 5.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 14,076 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.97.
The county population contained 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,568, and the median income for a family was $45,185. Males had a median income of $36,244 versus $20,252 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,696. About 7.20% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.
Communities
City
- North Platte (county seat)
Villages
Unincorporated communities
Politics
Lincoln County voters generally vote Republican. In only three national elections since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, most recently in 1964 in the midst of Lyndon B. Johnson's national landslide victory.
| Political Party | Number of registered voters (February 1, 2026)[29] | Percent | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | 14,587 | 63.03% | |
| Independent | 4,283 | 18.51% | |
| Democratic | 3,771 | 16.30% | |
| Libertarian | 327 | 1.41% | |
| Legal Marijuana Now | 174 | 0.75% | |
| Total | 23,142 | 100.00% | |
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1900 | 1,386 | 53.06% | 1,169 | 44.75% | 57 | 2.18% |
| 1904 | 1,449 | 63.89% | 328 | 14.46% | 491 | 21.65% |
| 1908 | 1,541 | 48.43% | 1,382 | 43.43% | 259 | 8.14% |
| 1912 | 690 | 21.63% | 1,129 | 35.39% | 1,371 | 42.98% |
| 1916 | 1,309 | 34.61% | 2,192 | 57.96% | 281 | 7.43% |
| 1920 | 3,342 | 57.40% | 1,896 | 32.57% | 584 | 10.03% |
| 1924 | 2,857 | 40.94% | 1,373 | 19.67% | 2,749 | 39.39% |
| 1928 | 5,946 | 70.58% | 2,381 | 28.26% | 98 | 1.16% |
| 1932 | 3,082 | 32.68% | 6,047 | 64.12% | 302 | 3.20% |
| 1936 | 3,857 | 35.73% | 6,742 | 62.45% | 197 | 1.82% |
| 1940 | 5,908 | 54.36% | 4,960 | 45.64% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 5,969 | 57.88% | 4,344 | 42.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 4,419 | 51.68% | 4,131 | 48.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 8,292 | 69.00% | 3,726 | 31.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 7,523 | 62.70% | 4,475 | 37.30% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 7,685 | 61.49% | 4,812 | 38.51% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 4,811 | 42.74% | 6,446 | 57.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 5,996 | 58.39% | 3,491 | 34.00% | 782 | 7.62% |
| 1972 | 7,502 | 69.97% | 3,220 | 30.03% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 7,076 | 55.55% | 5,355 | 42.04% | 308 | 2.42% |
| 1980 | 9,643 | 66.60% | 3,768 | 26.02% | 1,068 | 7.38% |
| 1984 | 10,717 | 70.01% | 4,509 | 29.46% | 81 | 0.53% |
| 1988 | 8,425 | 57.57% | 6,118 | 41.81% | 91 | 0.62% |
| 1992 | 7,054 | 45.04% | 5,158 | 32.94% | 3,449 | 22.02% |
| 1996 | 7,482 | 50.54% | 5,165 | 34.89% | 2,157 | 14.57% |
| 2000 | 9,220 | 61.00% | 5,205 | 34.44% | 689 | 4.56% |
| 2004 | 11,056 | 68.25% | 4,905 | 30.28% | 238 | 1.47% |
| 2008 | 10,817 | 66.46% | 5,046 | 31.00% | 414 | 2.54% |
| 2012 | 10,728 | 68.53% | 4,450 | 28.43% | 477 | 3.05% |
| 2016 | 12,164 | 75.41% | 2,913 | 18.06% | 1,054 | 6.53% |
| 2020 | 13,071 | 76.16% | 3,692 | 21.51% | 400 | 2.33% |
| 2024 | 12,674 | 76.67% | 3,586 | 21.69% | 270 | 1.63% |
Notable people
- Anne McGrew Bennett (1903–1986), writer and feminist
See also
- Lincoln County Sheriff's Office (Nebraska)
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, Nebraska
References
- ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lincoln County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 187.
- ^ Lincoln County NE Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lincoln County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ Map of Time Zone Line through Nebraska (accessed January 22, 2019)
- ^ Birdwood Lake State Wildlife Management Area, North Platte NE Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ East Hershey State Wildlife Management Area, North Platte NE Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ East Sutherland State Wildlife Management Area Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ Fort McPherson National Cemetery Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ Jeffrey Canyon State Wildlife Management Area, Brady NE Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area, North Platte NE Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ Muskrat Run State Wildlife Management Area, North Platte NE Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ Platte State Wildlife Management Area Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area Google Maps (accessed January 23, 2019)
- ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 2, 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. February 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 911 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 400 votes and Prohibition Eugene Chafin received 60 votes.