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Saunders County, Nebraska

Coordinates: 41°14′N 96°38′W / 41.23°N 96.63°W / 41.23; -96.63
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Saunders County
County of Saunders
Saunders County Courthouse in Wahoo
Map
Interactive map of Saunders County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Country United States
State Nebraska
EstablishedJanuary 26, 1856
OrganizedOctober 8, 1867
Named forAlvin Saunders
County seatWahoo
Largest cityWahoo
Area
 • Total
760 sq mi (2,000 km2)
 • Land750 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Water9.6 sq mi (25 km2)  1.3%
Highest elevation
1,365 ft (416 m)
Lowest elevation
866 ft (264 m)
Population
 • Estimate 
(2022)
23,118[1]
 • Density30.8/sq mi (11.9/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code402/531
FIPS code31155
GNIS feature ID835899
Websitesaunderscounty.ne.gov

Saunders County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 22,278.[2] Its county seat is Wahoo.[3]

Saunders County is included in the Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area.[4]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Saunders County is represented by the prefix 6 (the county had the sixth-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

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Saunders County was established by an 1856 act of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature, and was organized in 1866;[5][6] its boundaries were redefined in 1858.[7] It was originally named Calhoun County after John Calhoun, surveyor general of Kansas and Nebraska.[8] Other sources contend that it was named for John C. Calhoun of South Carolina.[9] In 1862, during the American Civil War, it was renamed after Nebraska territorial governor Alvin Saunders.[10]

Geography

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Saunders County is bordered on the north and east by the Platte River. Several local drainages move runoff water from the county eastward into the Platte. The county terrain is composed of low rolling hills,[11] which slope eastward and northeastward to the river valley. The county has an area of 760 square miles (2,000 km2), of which 750 square miles (1,900 km2) is land and 9.6 square miles (25 km2) (1.3%) is water.[12]

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

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Protected areas

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  • Bramble State Wildlife Management Area[13]
  • Czechland Lake Recreation and Wildlife Management Area[14]
  • Jack Sinn Memorial State Wildlife Management Area[15]
  • Memphis Lake State Recreation Area[16]
  • Pioneer State Recreation Area[17]

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18704,547
188015,810247.7%
189021,57736.5%
190022,0852.4%
191021,179−4.1%
192020,589−2.8%
193020,167−2.0%
194017,892−11.3%
195016,923−5.4%
196017,2702.1%
197017,018−1.5%
198018,71610.0%
199018,285−2.3%
200019,8308.4%
201020,7804.8%
202022,2787.2%
2023 (est.)23,463[1]5.3%
US Decennial Census[18]
1790–1960[19] 1900–1990[20]
1990–2000[21] 2010[22]

As of the 2020 United States Census,[23] there were 22,278 people and 8,789 households. The population density was 29 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 10,424 housing units at an average density of 13.7 units per square mile (5.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.7% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, and 1.6% from two or more races. 2.6% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [1]

As of the 2010 United States Census,[23] there were 20,778 people and 8,040 households. The population density was 28 people per square mile (11 people/km2). There were 9,221 housing units at an average density of 12.3 units per square mile (4.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.2% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.4% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. 2.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. [2]

As of the 2000 United States Census,[23] there were 19,830 people, 7,498 households, and 5,443 families in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 8,266 housing units at an average density of 11 units per square mile (4.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.49% White, 0.11% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 1.03% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,498 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.60% were married couples living together, 6.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 23.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.11.

The county population contained 27.90% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 22.90% 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 99.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,173, and the median income for a family was $49,443. Males had a median income of $33,309 versus $22,922 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,392. About 5.30% of families and 6.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.30% of those under age 18 and 7.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

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Cities

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Villages

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Historic schoolhouse in Saunders County

Census-designated place

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Townships

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Politics

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Saunders County voters tend to vote Republican. In only two national elections since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024)

United States presidential election results for Saunders County, Nebraska[24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 9,854 72.34% 3,558 26.12% 210 1.54%
2020 9,108 71.23% 3,331 26.05% 347 2.71%
2016 7,555 69.57% 2,523 23.23% 782 7.20%
2012 6,770 65.65% 3,307 32.07% 235 2.28%
2008 6,188 60.60% 3,767 36.89% 257 2.52%
2004 6,441 67.88% 2,884 30.39% 164 1.73%
2000 5,688 63.77% 2,852 31.98% 379 4.25%
1996 4,514 52.51% 2,777 32.30% 1,306 15.19%
1992 4,037 44.11% 2,509 27.41% 2,606 28.47%
1988 4,459 55.46% 3,526 43.86% 55 0.68%
1984 5,217 67.34% 2,467 31.84% 63 0.81%
1980 5,223 66.06% 2,034 25.73% 649 8.21%
1976 3,844 51.24% 3,507 46.75% 151 2.01%
1972 4,282 63.13% 2,501 36.87% 0 0.00%
1968 3,429 57.39% 1,990 33.31% 556 9.31%
1964 3,345 44.50% 4,172 55.50% 0 0.00%
1960 4,702 56.94% 3,556 43.06% 0 0.00%
1956 4,973 59.86% 3,335 40.14% 0 0.00%
1952 5,525 65.10% 2,962 34.90% 0 0.00%
1948 3,660 47.91% 3,979 52.09% 0 0.00%
1944 6,615 61.17% 4,199 38.83% 0 0.00%
1940 4,917 54.16% 4,162 45.84% 0 0.00%
1936 3,773 39.36% 5,514 57.52% 300 3.13%
1932 2,772 30.35% 6,134 67.16% 228 2.50%
1928 5,356 58.31% 3,793 41.29% 37 0.40%
1924 3,499 45.15% 2,823 36.43% 1,427 18.42%
1920 3,733 59.99% 2,296 36.90% 194 3.12%
1916 1,957 40.83% 2,671 55.73% 165 3.44%
1912 864 18.79% 2,080 45.23% 1,655 35.99%
1908 2,309 45.18% 2,679 52.42% 123 2.41%
1904 2,880 60.14% 1,091 22.78% 818 17.08%
1900 2,325 44.82% 2,762 53.25% 100 1.93%

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "County Population Totals: 2020–2022". Census.gov. US Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  2. ^ "Saunders County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 24, 2023.
  3. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ^ United States Office of Management and Budget. "Update of Statistical Area Definitions and Guidance on Their Uses" (PDF). pp. 5, 36. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 14, 2006. Retrieved July 21, 2006.
  5. ^ "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey Saunders County" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. August 2003. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  6. ^ Andreas, A. T. (1882). "Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska". The Kansas Collection. Archived from the original on January 31, 2003. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  7. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). Nebraska Place-Names. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism. p. 125. Retrieved December 19, 2014.
  8. ^ "About Saunders County". Saunders County Nebraska. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  9. ^ "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey – Saunders County".[usurped] Nebraska State Historical Society.[usurped] Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  10. ^ Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925). "Nebraska Place-Names". University of Nebraska Department of English. Retrieved 27 September 2011.
  11. ^ Saunders County NE Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)
  12. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  13. ^ Bramble State Wildlife Management Area, Morse Bluff NE Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)
  14. ^ Czechland Lake Recreation and Wldlf Mgt Area, Prague NE Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)
  15. ^ Jack Sinn Memorial State Wildlife Management Area, Ceresco NE Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)
  16. ^ Memphis Lake State Recreation Area Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)
  17. ^ Pioneer State Recreation Area, Wahoo NE Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)
  18. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  19. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  20. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  21. ^ "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 11, 2014.
  22. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 22, 2013.
  23. ^ a b c "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau]]. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  24. ^ Election Results
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41°14′N 96°38′W / 41.23°N 96.63°W / 41.23; -96.63