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Hamilton County
Hamilton County courthouse in Aurora
Hamilton County courthouse in Aurora
Map of Nebraska highlighting Hamilton County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°53′N 98°01′W / 40.88°N 98.02°W / 40.88; -98.02
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded1867 (created)
1870 (organized)
Named forAlexander Hamilton
SeatAurora
Largest cityAurora
Area
 • Total547 sq mi (1,420 km2)
 • Land544 sq mi (1,410 km2)
 • Water4.1 sq mi (11 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total9,429
 • Density17/sq mi (6.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.co.hamilton.ne.us

Hamilton County is a county in the U.S. state Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 9,429.[1] Its county seat is Aurora.[2] The county was named for Alexander Hamilton, the first Secretary of the Treasury in the new United States government.

Hamilton County is included in the Grand Island, NE Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Hamilton County is represented by the prefix 28 (it had the 28th-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History[edit]

The first permanent settlers arrived in Hamilton County in 1866.[3] Hamilton County was created in 1867,[4] and was organized in 1870.[5][6] It was named for Alexander Hamilton.[7]

Geography[edit]

The Platte River flows northeastward along the northwest side of Hamilton County, forming the northwestern boundary line with Merrick County.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 547 square miles (1,420 km2), of which 543 square miles (1,410 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (0.8%) is water.[8]

Major highways[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Protected areas[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870130
18808,2676,259.2%
189014,09670.5%
190013,330−5.4%
191013,4591.0%
192013,237−1.6%
193012,159−8.1%
19409,982−17.9%
19508,778−12.1%
19608,714−0.7%
19708,8671.8%
19809,3014.9%
19908,862−4.7%
20009,4036.1%
20109,124−3.0%
20209,4293.3%
US Decennial Census[16]
1790-1960[17] 1900-1990[18]
1990-2000[19] 2010[20]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[21] there were 9,403 people, 3,503 households, and 2,676 families residing in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km2). There were 3,850 housing units at an average density of 7 units per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.43% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.49% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 1.14% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,503 households, out of which 37.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.40% were married couples living together, 5.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.60% were non-families. 21.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.07.

The county population contained 29.10% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 26.50% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,277, and the median income for a family was $45,659. Males had a median income of $29,238 versus $20,308 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,590. About 5.90% of families and 7.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.80% of those under age 18 and 5.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[edit]

City[edit]

Villages[edit]

Census-designated place[edit]

Politics[edit]

Hamilton County voters have long been reliably Republican. In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.

United States presidential election results for Hamilton County, Nebraska[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 4,309 77.42% 1,118 20.09% 139 2.50%
2016 3,783 75.60% 878 17.55% 343 6.85%
2012 3,600 73.91% 1,146 23.53% 125 2.57%
2008 3,389 70.62% 1,332 27.76% 78 1.63%
2004 3,785 77.78% 1,012 20.80% 69 1.42%
2000 3,251 72.39% 1,066 23.74% 174 3.87%
1996 2,623 61.37% 1,172 27.42% 479 11.21%
1992 2,388 51.72% 994 21.53% 1,235 26.75%
1988 3,022 69.73% 1,289 29.74% 23 0.53%
1984 3,418 79.77% 842 19.65% 25 0.58%
1980 3,200 74.92% 778 18.22% 293 6.86%
1976 2,737 65.46% 1,337 31.98% 107 2.56%
1972 2,960 76.55% 907 23.45% 0 0.00%
1968 2,592 70.94% 918 25.12% 144 3.94%
1964 2,105 52.74% 1,886 47.26% 0 0.00%
1960 3,249 72.65% 1,223 27.35% 0 0.00%
1956 3,217 74.95% 1,075 25.05% 0 0.00%
1952 3,579 76.00% 1,130 24.00% 0 0.00%
1948 2,406 61.46% 1,509 38.54% 0 0.00%
1944 3,057 69.68% 1,330 30.32% 0 0.00%
1940 3,286 66.36% 1,666 33.64% 0 0.00%
1936 2,748 50.43% 2,653 48.69% 48 0.88%
1932 2,003 39.66% 2,969 58.78% 79 1.56%
1928 3,634 68.77% 1,606 30.39% 44 0.83%
1924 2,935 56.12% 1,545 29.54% 750 14.34%
1920 2,950 66.89% 1,356 30.75% 104 2.36%
1916 1,444 43.16% 1,816 54.27% 86 2.57%
1912 450 14.57% 1,433 46.41% 1,205 39.02%
1908 1,633 47.36% 1,664 48.26% 151 4.38%
1904 1,845 61.38% 551 18.33% 610 20.29%
1900 1,524 47.85% 1,571 49.32% 90 2.83%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Hamilton County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Burr, George L. (1921). History of Hamilton and Clay Counties, Nebraska, Vol. 1. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. p. 116.
  4. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). Nebraska Place-Names. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism. p. 70. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  5. ^ "Hamilton County Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. July 2009. Archived from the original on July 15, 2012. Retrieved December 15, 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ Andreas, A. T. (1882). "Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska". The Kansas Collection. Archived from the original on May 8, 2003. Retrieved December 15, 2014.
  7. ^ "Hamilton County". Archived from the original on August 19, 2008. Retrieved March 9, 2010. Retrieved on March 15, 2008.
  8. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  9. ^ Gadwall State Wildlife Management Area, Aurora NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  10. ^ Nelson Federal Waterfowl Production Area, Aurora NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  11. ^ Pintail State Wildlife Management Area, Aurora NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  12. ^ Rainwater Basin Wildlife Management District, Aurora NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  13. ^ Springer Federal Waterfowl Production Area, Aurota NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  14. ^ Troester Federal Waterfowl Production Area, Aurora NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  15. ^ Deep Well State Wildlife Management Area, Phillips NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  16. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  17. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  18. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 8, 2014.
  19. ^ "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 8, 2014.
  20. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2013.
  21. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  22. ^ Election Results

External links[edit]

40°53′N 98°01′W / 40.88°N 98.02°W / 40.88; -98.02