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
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.
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