Sioux County, Nebraska

Sioux County, Nebraska
County
The Sioux County Courthouse in Harrison
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 42°28′14″N 103°43′56″W / 42.470668°N 103.73217°W / 42.470668; -103.73217
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedFebruary 19, 1877 (created)
October 1, 1886 (organized)
Named afterSioux people
SeatHarrison
Largest villageHarrison
Area
 • Total
2,067.365 sq mi (5,354.45 km2)
 • Land2,066.723 sq mi (5,352.79 km2)
 • Water0.642 sq mi (1.66 km2)  0.03%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
1,135
 • Estimate 
(2024)
1,099
 • Density0.5492/sq mi (0.2120/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Area code308
Congressional district3rd
Websitesiouxcountyne.gov
• Nebraska county number 83[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 80[2]

Sioux County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 1,135,[3] and was estimated to be 1,099 in 2024.[4] The county seat and the largest village is Harrison.[5]

Sioux County is included in the Scottsbluff, NE micropolitan area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Sioux County was represented by the prefix "80" (as it had the 80th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Sioux County was created on February 19, 1877 and organized on October 1, 1886.[6]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,067.365 square miles (5,354.45 km2), of which 2,066.723 square miles (5,352.79 km2) is land and 0.642 square miles (1.66 km2) (0.03%) is water.[7] It is the sixth-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[8]

Sioux County lies at the NW corner of Nebraska. Its north boundary line abuts the south line of the state of South Dakota and its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state of Wyoming. The Niobrara River flows southeastward and eastward through the upper central part of the county. The county terrain is arid low rolling hills, sloping to the east and southeast.[9] The terrain is sparsely utilized for agriculture, with some center pivot irrigation used.[10]

Major highways

Protected areas

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1880699—
18902,452250.8%
19002,055−16.2%
19105,599172.5%
19204,528−19.1%
19304,6673.1%
19404,001−14.3%
19503,124−21.9%
19602,575−17.6%
19702,034−21.0%
19801,845−9.3%
19901,549−16.0%
20001,475−4.8%
20101,311−11.1%
20201,135−13.4%
2024 (est.)1,099[13]−3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16]
1990–2000[17] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Sioux County was $158,088.[18]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 490 estimated households in Sioux County with an average of 2.39 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $53,929. Approximately 14.9% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Sioux County has an estimated % employment rate, with 22.4% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 94.4% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 687 housing units at an average density of 0.33 per square mile (0.1/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 (98.7%), Spanish (1.3%), Indo-European (0.0%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.0%), and Other (0.0%).

The median age in the county was 43.7 years.

Sioux 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[19] Pop. 1990[20] Pop. 2000[21] Pop. 2010[22] Pop. 2020[23]
White alone (NH) 1,757
(95.23%)		 1,501
(96.90%)		 1,424
(96.54%)		 1,240
(94.58%)		 1,055
(92.95%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 2
(0.11%)		 0
(0.00%)		 0
(0.00%)		 1
(0.08%)		 0
(0.00%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 2
(0.11%)		 1
(0.06%)		 1
(0.07%)		 2
(0.15%)		 2
(0.18%)
Asian alone (NH) 5
(0.27%)		 2
(0.13%)		 3
(0.20%)		 1
(0.08%)		 4
(0.35%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 0
(0.00%)		 0
(0.00%)		 2
(0.18%)
Other race alone (NH) 5
(0.27%)		 1
(0.06%)		 0
(0.00%)		 0
(0.00%)		 4
(0.35%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 13
(0.88%)		 15
(1.14%)		 25
(2.20%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 74
(4.01%)		 44
(2.84%)		 34
(2.31%)		 52
(3.97%)		 43
(3.79%)
Total 1,845
(100.00%)		 1,549
(100.00%)		 1,475
(100.00%)		 1,311
(100.00%)		 1,135
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 1,099 people, 490 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 0.53 inhabitants per square mile (0.2/km2). There were 687 housing units at an average density of 0.33 per square mile (0.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% White (90.2% NH White), 0.5% African American, 1.6% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 6.6% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,135 people, 515 households, and 347 families residing in the county.[24] The population density was 0.55 inhabitants per square mile (0.2/km2). There were 705 housing units at an average density of 0.34 per square mile (0.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.83% White, 0.00% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.18% Pacific Islander, 1.59% from some other races and 3.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.79% of the population.[25]

The median age was 47.9 years. 20.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 26.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 106.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.1 males age 18 and over.[26]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[27]

There were 515 households in the county, of which 24.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 17.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 705 housing units, of which 27.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.1% were owner-occupied and 28.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 12.1%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 1,311 people, 577 households, and 409 families residing in the county.[28] The population density was 0.63 inhabitants per square mile (0.2/km2). There were 815 housing units at an average density of 0.39 per square mile (0.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.11% White, 0.08% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 2.44% from some other races and 1.14% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 3.97% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 1,475 people, 605 households, and 444 families residing in the county. The population density was 0.71 inhabitants per square mile (0.3/km2). There were 780 housing units at an average density of 0.38 per square mile (0.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.63% White, 0.00% African American, 0.14% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 1.15% from some other races and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.31% of the population. 36.9% were of German, 11.3% Irish, 11.0% American and 10.6% English ancestry.

There were 605 households, out of which 28.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.30% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.60% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.86.

The county population contained 24.30% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 24.70% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 111.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,851, and the median income for a family was $31,406. Males had a median income of $23,409 versus $21,490 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,999. About 11.10% of families and 15.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.40% of those under age 18 and 7.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns

Politics

Sioux County voters are reliably Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate. In 2020, Donald Trump won the highest share of the vote ever in the county, with 87.8% of the vote.

Political Party Number of registered voters (March 1, 2026)[29] Percent
Republican 676 81.45%
Independent 87 10.48%
Democratic 60 7.23%
Libertarian 6 0.72%
Legal Marijuana Now 1 0.12%
Total 830 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Sioux County, Nebraska[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1900 199 44.42% 248 55.36% 1 0.22%
1904 247 62.06% 111 27.89% 40 10.05%
1908 516 50.84% 464 45.71% 35 3.45%
1912 150 15.14% 375 37.84% 466 47.02%
1916 344 30.50% 737 65.34% 47 4.17%
1920 627 64.97% 252 26.11% 86 8.91%
1924 480 36.01% 149 11.18% 704 52.81%
1928 1,178 72.54% 435 26.79% 11 0.68%
1932 667 39.14% 1,006 59.04% 31 1.82%
1936 674 40.65% 956 57.66% 28 1.69%
1940 1,072 63.43% 618 36.57% 0 0.00%
1944 876 68.22% 408 31.78% 0 0.00%
1948 657 55.82% 520 44.18% 0 0.00%
1952 1,093 78.46% 300 21.54% 0 0.00%
1956 499 65.74% 260 34.26% 0 0.00%
1960 745 64.22% 415 35.78% 0 0.00%
1964 698 64.81% 379 35.19% 0 0.00%
1968 565 71.43% 157 19.85% 69 8.72%
1972 639 83.20% 129 16.80% 0 0.00%
1976 532 60.25% 329 37.26% 22 2.49%
1980 760 81.55% 120 12.88% 52 5.58%
1984 732 85.12% 121 14.07% 7 0.81%
1988 568 74.05% 194 25.29% 5 0.65%
1992 445 55.49% 148 18.45% 209 26.06%
1996 551 71.74% 138 17.97% 79 10.29%
2000 629 83.64% 98 13.03% 25 3.32%
2004 677 83.68% 123 15.20% 9 1.11%
2008 603 82.38% 117 15.98% 12 1.64%
2012 624 84.44% 101 13.67% 14 1.89%
2016 616 83.70% 81 11.01% 39 5.30%
2020 642 87.82% 72 9.85% 17 2.33%
2024 597 87.79% 77 11.32% 6 0.88%

Education

School districts include:[31]

  • Crawford Public Schools #71, Crawford
  • Mitchell Public Schools #31, Mitchell
  • Morrill Public Schools #11, Morrill
  • Sioux County Public Schools #500, Harrison

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Sioux County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  7. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  8. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Sioux County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  9. ^ "Find Altitude". Daft Logic. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  10. ^ "Sioux County, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  11. ^ "Gilbert-Baker Wildlife Area, Harrison, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  12. ^ "Peterson State Wildlife Area, Harrison, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 25, 2019.
  13. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "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.
  18. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  19. ^ "Sioux County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  20. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  21. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Sioux County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  22. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sioux County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  23. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Sioux County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  24. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  25. ^ "How many people live in Sioux County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  26. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  27. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  28. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 287 of 385. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  29. ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  30. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 8, 2026.
  31. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Sioux County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 8, 2026. - Text list
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