Valley County, Nebraska

Valley County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 4,059.[1] Its county seat is Ord.[2]

Not to be confused with Valley, Nebraska.

Valley County
County
Valley County Courthouse in Ord
Valley County Courthouse in Ord
Map of Nebraska highlighting Valley County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°34′N 98°59′W
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1871 (formed)
1873 (organized)
SeatOrd
Largest cityOrd
Area
 • Total570 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Land568 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Water2.4 sq mi (6 km2)  0.4%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total4,059
 • Density7.1/sq mi (2.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd

In the Nebraska license plate system, Valley County is represented by the prefix 47 (it had the 47th-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Valley County was formed in 1871 and organized in 1873.[3][4] Its name derives from the local terrain: much of the county consists of valley land lying between the North and Middle Loup Rivers.[5]

On June 12, 2010, the privately owned Bredthauer Dam broke due to heavy rain, flooding rural Valley County and the village of North Loup.[6][7] Major flooding occurred in the village, with water "eight inches deep and running down Main Street."[8] North Loup was evacuated for the flood's duration.[9]

Geography

The North Loup River flows southeastward through the upper portion of the county, while the Middle Loup River runs southeastward through the lower portion. The terrain consists of rolling hills. The flat river valleys are largely dedicated to agriculture, with some center pivot irrigation employed.[10] The county has an area of 570 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 568 square miles (1,470 km2) is land and 2.4 square miles (6.2 km2) (0.4%) is water.[11]

Major highways

Protected area

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18802,324—
18907,092205.2%
19007,3393.5%
19109,48029.2%
19209,8233.6%
19309,533−3.0%
19408,163−14.4%
19507,252−11.2%
19606,590−9.1%
19705,783−12.2%
19805,633−2.6%
19905,169−8.2%
20004,647−10.1%
20104,260−8.3%
20204,059−4.7%
US Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010[18]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[19] there were 4,647 people, 1,965 households, and 1,298 families in the county. The population density was 8 people per square mile (3.1 people/km2). There were 2,273 housing units at an average density of 4 units per square mile (1.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.15% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.11% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.80% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. 1.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 1,965 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.90% were non-families. 31.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.

The county population contained 24.70% under the age of 18, 4.80% from 18 to 24, 22.60% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 24.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 91.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $27,926, and the median income for a family was $35,571. Males had a median income of $25,224 versus $17,217 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,996. About 10.10% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.30% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City
  • Ord (county seat)

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Politics

Valley County voters are strongly Republican. In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Valley County, Nebraska[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 1,901 81.10% 412 17.58% 31 1.32%
2016 1,780 80.73% 339 15.37% 86 3.90%
2012 1,657 75.49% 498 22.69% 40 1.82%
2008 1,657 68.39% 706 29.14% 60 2.48%
2004 1,801 75.32% 564 23.59% 26 1.09%
2000 1,610 71.14% 583 25.76% 70 3.09%
1996 1,346 56.27% 758 31.69% 288 12.04%
1992 1,173 45.29% 716 27.64% 701 27.07%
1988 1,604 64.08% 873 34.88% 26 1.04%
1984 2,055 73.21% 739 26.33% 13 0.46%
1980 2,101 71.73% 655 22.36% 173 5.91%
1976 1,587 57.31% 1,042 37.63% 140 5.06%
1972 2,011 72.29% 771 27.71% 0 0.00%
1968 1,759 64.41% 793 29.04% 179 6.55%
1964 1,657 51.75% 1,545 48.25% 0 0.00%
1960 2,045 62.10% 1,248 37.90% 0 0.00%
1956 2,189 66.78% 1,089 33.22% 0 0.00%
1952 2,630 71.92% 1,027 28.08% 0 0.00%
1948 1,670 54.66% 1,385 45.34% 0 0.00%
1944 2,096 58.70% 1,475 41.30% 0 0.00%
1940 2,449 60.63% 1,590 39.37% 0 0.00%
1936 2,033 49.65% 1,960 47.86% 102 2.49%
1932 1,584 39.04% 2,400 59.16% 73 1.80%
1928 2,768 69.27% 1,205 30.16% 23 0.58%
1924 2,014 55.04% 802 21.92% 843 23.04%
1920 1,935 64.80% 912 30.54% 139 4.66%
1916 840 36.44% 1,388 60.22% 77 3.34%
1912 552 26.73% 788 38.16% 725 35.11%
1908 1,040 48.46% 1,045 48.70% 61 2.84%
1904 1,133 63.94% 219 12.36% 420 23.70%
1900 810 47.40% 864 50.56% 35 2.05%

See also

References
  1. "Valley County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). Nebraska Place-Names. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism. p. 141. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  4. Andreas, A. T. (1882). "Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska". The Kansas Collection. Archived from the original on July 29, 2003. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  5. "Valley County". Nebraska Association of County Officials. Retrieved December 17, 2014.
  6. "Floodwaters overwhelm whole counties", Kearney Hub. 14 June 2011. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  7. Pore, R. "Heavy rains cause Ericson Dam to fail", Grand Island Independent. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  8. Geake, S. "North Loup Fights Flooding" Archived 7 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, 1011Now.com. 14 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  9. Schweitzer, Amy. "North Loup flooded, evacuated". Grand Island Independent. 12 June 2010. Retrieved 19 June 2010.
  10. Valley County NE Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)
  11. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  12. Fort Hartstuff State Historical Park Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)
  13. Scotia Canal State Wildlife Management Area, North Loup NE Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)
  14. "US Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  18. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  19. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  20. Election Results

41.57°N 98.98°W / 41.57; -98.98

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