Blaine County, Nebraska

Blaine County
County
Blaine County Courthouse in Brewster
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°56′N99°59′W / 41.93°N 99.98°W / 41.93; -99.98
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
Founded	1885 (authorized) 1886 (organized)
Named for	James G. Blaine
Seat	Brewster
Largest village	Dunning
Area
• Total	714 sq mi (1,850 km2)
• Land	711 sq mi (1,840 km2)
• Water	3.6 sq mi (9 km2)  0.5%
Population  (2020)
• Total	431
• Density	0.60/sq mi (0.23/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	blainecounty.nebraska.gov

Blaine County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 431, ^[1] making it Nebraska's third-least populous county and the sixth-least populous in the United States. Its county seat is Brewster. ^[2] The county was formed in 1885 ^[3] and organized in 1886. ^[4] It is named after presidential candidate James G. Blaine. ^[5]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Blaine County is represented by the prefix 86 (it had the 86th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 715 square miles (1,850 km²), of which 711 square miles (1,840 km²) is land and 3.6 square miles (9.3 km²) (0.5%) is water. ^[6]

Major highways

• Nebraska Highway 2
• Nebraska Highway 7
• Nebraska Highway 91

Adjacent counties

• Loup County – east
• Custer County – south
• Logan County – southwest
• Thomas County – west
• Cherry County – northwest
• Brown County – north

National protected area

• Nebraska National Forest (part)

History

Blaine County, named after James G. Blaine, a prominent American politician, was established on March 23, 1885. The settlement of Blaine County , like the rest of the Sandhills region, began later than many other Nebraska counties due to its less accessible and perceived less fertile location than other parts of Nebraska. Not until the passage of the Kinkaid Act in 1904, which allowed homesteaders to claim 640 acres instead of the usual 160 under the Homestead Act, did significant settlement in the county occur. ^[7]

The first settlements in Blaine County were primarily for ranching rather than farming. The town of Brewster, established in 1884, became the county seat. Ranching, particularly cattle, became the economic mainstay, as the sandy soil was better suited for grazing than for crop cultivation. The settlers adapted to the environment by focusing on livestock, with cattle drives and the eventual development of cattle breeding being central to the county's economy. ^[7]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1890	1,146		—
1900	603		−47.4%
1910	1,672		177.3%
1920	1,778		6.3%
1930	1,584		−10.9%
1940	1,538		−2.9%
1950	1,203		−21.8%
1960	1,016		−15.5%
1970	847		−16.6%
1980	867		2.4%
1990	675		−22.1%
2000	583		−13.6%
2010	478		−18.0%
2020	431		−9.8%
US Decennial Census [8] 1790-1960 [9] 1900-1990 [10] 1990-2000 [11] 2010 [12]

As of the 2000 United States Census, ^[13] there were 583 people, 238 households, and 168 families in the county. The population density was 0.82 person per square mile (0.32 person/km²). There were 333 housing units at an average density of 0.5 units per square mile (0.19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.97% White, 0.51% Native American, and 0.51% from two or more races; 0.17% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 45.1% were of German, 12.2% English, 10.2% Irish and 8.4% American ancestry.

There were 238 households, of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.00% were married couples living together, 2.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 26.20% under the age of 18, 3.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,278, and the median income for a family was $28,472. Males had a median income of $17,917 versus $20,000 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,323. About 18.70% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Villages

• Brewster (county seat)
• Dunning
• Halsey (partial)

Unincorporated communities

• Purdum
• Linscott

Politics

Blaine County voters are strongly Republican. In only four national elections since 1900 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, & none since 1936.

United States presidential election results for Blaine County, Nebraska ^[14]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	250	85.62%	37	12.67%	5	1.71%
2020	280	88.33%	35	11.04%	2	0.63%
2016	276	87.07%	30	9.46%	11	3.47%
2012	268	88.45%	29	9.57%	6	1.98%
2008	266	84.18%	43	13.61%	7	2.22%
2004	301	88.79%	38	11.21%	0	0.00%
2000	299	85.67%	43	12.32%	7	2.01%
1996	284	75.13%	53	14.02%	41	10.85%
1992	256	56.51%	64	14.13%	133	29.36%
1988	338	82.24%	72	17.52%	1	0.24%
1984	363	88.32%	48	11.68%	0	0.00%
1980	361	81.67%	63	14.25%	18	4.07%
1976	281	66.59%	133	31.52%	8	1.90%
1972	343	85.96%	56	14.04%	0	0.00%
1968	344	79.45%	64	14.78%	25	5.77%
1964	326	62.57%	195	37.43%	0	0.00%
1960	420	78.80%	113	21.20%	0	0.00%
1956	416	73.63%	149	26.37%	0	0.00%
1952	458	76.97%	137	23.03%	0	0.00%
1948	252	50.40%	248	49.60%	0	0.00%
1944	366	59.61%	248	40.39%	0	0.00%
1940	454	59.35%	311	40.65%	0	0.00%
1936	342	47.77%	365	50.98%	9	1.26%
1932	244	35.41%	431	62.55%	14	2.03%
1928	484	73.11%	175	26.44%	3	0.45%
1924	253	43.40%	132	22.64%	198	33.96%
1920	328	63.81%	176	34.24%	10	1.95%
1916	184	40.71%	246	54.42%	22	4.87%
1912	126	29.03%	163	37.56%	145	33.41%
1908	220	56.12%	160	40.82%	12	3.06%
1904	127	70.17%	34	18.78%	20	11.05%
1900	103	57.54%	75	41.90%	1	0.56%

References

1. "Blaine County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 16, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. (1960). Nebraska Place-Names. University of Nebraska Press. p. 18. ISBN   0803250606.
4. "Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey" (PDF). Nebraska State Historical Society. May 15, 1989. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
5. "Blaine County - History". Archived from the original on July 4, 2008. Retrieved March 16, 2008.
6. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
7. Buechler, August F.; Barr, Robert J. (1920). History of Hall County, Nebraska: A Narrative of the Past with Special Emphasis Upon the Pioneer Period of the County's History, and Chronological Presentation of Its Social, Commercial, Educational, Religious, and Civic Development from the Early Days to the Present Time, and Special Analysis of Its Military and Civil Participation in the Late World War. Western Publishing and Engraving Company.
8. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
11. "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 6, 2014.
12. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 6, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2013.
13. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".

41°56′N99°59′W / 41.93°N 99.98°W / 41.93; -99.98