Morrill County, Nebraska

Not to be confused with Morrill, Nebraska.

Morrill County
County
Morrill County Courthouse in Bridgeport
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°41′N103°01′W / 41.69°N 103.01°W / 41.69; -103.01
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
Founded	1908
Named for	Charles Henry Morrill
Seat	Bridgeport
Largest city	Bridgeport
Area
• Total	1,430 sq mi (3,700 km2)
• Land	1,424 sq mi (3,690 km2)
• Water	6.0 sq mi (16 km2)  0.4%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	4,555
• Density	3.2/sq mi (1.2/km2)
Time zone	UTC−7 (Mountain)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	www.morrillcountyne.gov

Morrill County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 4,555. ^[1] Its county seat is Bridgeport. ^[2]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Morrill County is represented by the prefix 64 (it had the 64th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

The Battle of Mud Springs and the Battle of Rush Creek between the US Army and Cheyenne, Lakota Sioux, and Arapaho occurred in 1865 within what would become Morrill County.

On 3 November 1908, voters in Cheyenne County passed a measure calling for the division of that county. ^[3] Accordingly, the Nebraska State Legislature passed an act providing for the division of Cheyenne County, the line of division running east–west, south of the town of Bridgeport. The northern portion so divided was to be called Morrill County. In December of that year, another election determined Bridgeport to be the seat of the new county, and the new county's officials were determined. ^[4] The county was named for Charles Henry Morrill, a president of the Lincoln Land Company. ^[5]

Geography

The terrain of Morrill County consists of low rolling hills. A portion of the area is used for agriculture, including some center pivot irrigation. The North Platte River flows east-southeastward through the south-central part of the county, passing Bridgeport before exiting the county some 4 mi (6.4 km) above the southeast county corner. ^[6] The county has a total area of 1,430 square miles (3,700 km²), of which 1,424 square miles (3,690 km²) are land and 6.0 square miles (16 km²) (0.4%) are covered by water. ^[7]

Chimney Rock, a rock formation 325 feet (99 m) tall with a 120-foot (37 m) spire, lies about 4 mi (6.4 km) south of Bayard, in western Morrill County. The rock was a prominent landmark on the Oregon Trail, and has become a symbol of Nebraska, appearing on the state's license plates and on its commemorative quarter. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

Adjacent counties

• Box Butte County – north
• Sheridan County – northeast
• Garden County – east
• Cheyenne County – south
• Banner County – southwest
• Scotts Bluff County – northwest

Main highways

• US 385 - runs north and south through the county
• US 26 – runs northwest–southeast along the north side of the North Platte River
• Nebraska Highway 92– runs southeast from the western border to its intersection with US 26 near Broadwater
• Nebraska Highway 88 - runs east from a point north of the southwest corner of the county; turns north to its intersection with US 385 in Bridgeport ^[6]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1910	4,584		—
1920	9,151		99.6%
1930	9,950		8.7%
1940	9,436		−5.2%
1950	8,263		−12.4%
1960	7,057		−14.6%
1970	5,813		−17.6%
1980	6,085		4.7%
1990	5,423		−10.9%
2000	5,440		0.3%
2010	5,042		−7.3%
2020	4,555		−9.7%
2022 (est.)	4,527		−0.6%
US Decennial Census [11] 1790-1960 [12] 1900-1990 [13] 1990-2000 [14] 2010 [15] 2020 [16] 2022 [17]

As of the 2000 United States Census, ^[18] 5,440 people, 2,138 households, and 1,494 families resided in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). The2,460 housing units averaged 2 units per square mile (0.77 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.68% White, 0.07% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 4.12% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. About 10.09% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. The people were about 40.5% were of 40.5% German, 9.2% English, 7.3% Irish, and 6.7% American ancestry.

Of the 2,138 households, 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were not families. About 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.03.

The county population was distributed as 27.20% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,235, and for a family was $36,673. Males had a median income of $27,107 versus $19,271 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,725. About 10.00% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

• Bayard
• Bridgeport

Village

• Broadwater

Unincorporated communities

• Angora
• Atkins
• Bonner
• Lynn
• Moomaw Corner
• Northport
• Redington
• Vance

Former Communities

• Alden
• Chimney Rock
• Finley
• Goodstreak
• Hickory
• Kelly
• Kuhn
• Riley
• Simla

Law enforcement

Morrill County Sheriff's Office
Patch of Morrill County Sheriff's Office
Abbreviation	MCSO
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	Morrill County, Nebraska, United States
Legal jurisdiction	Morrill County, Nebraska
Operational structure
Headquarters	6th & L St., Bridgeport, Nebraska 69336
Agency executive	Milo Cardenas (since 2010), Sheriff
Website
Official website

In 2008 the sheriff's office employed four officers and five civilians. ^[19]

The Humane Society of the United States awarded Sheriff Johyn D. Edens the 2009 Humane Law Enforcement Award for his investigation of mistreatment of 200 mustangs on an animal sanctuary. ^[20] The owner of the Three Strikes Ranch, Jason Meduna, was sentenced to two consecutive 20-60 month terms, by Judge Leo Dobrovolny at the Morrill County Courthouse. ^{[21] [22]}

In the 13 May 2010 Republican primary, Milo Cardenas and Travis Petersen, polled 379 votes each (there being no Democratic candidate), and the decision was due to be made between then by a game of chance such as a coin flip, subject only to a recount. ^[23] After two recounts, Morrill County Clerk, Kathy Brandt offered the candidates the choice to "either cut a card or have their names pulled out of a hat", cards were selected and the election board shuffled the deck seven times before spreading the cards on the table for a simultaneous draw. Brandt said "Cardenas and Petersen both drew at the same time. Milo, drew a nine of hearts and Petersen drew a six of spades." ^[24] Thus Cardenas went forward to the final ballot, scheduled for November 2010, ^[25] with no other registered candidates.

Politics and government

Morrill County is in Nebraska's Nebraska's 3rd congressional district. ^[26] As of 2017, it was represented in the US House of Representatives by Adrian Smith, a member of the Republican Party. ^[27] As of 2017, the county was part of the state's 47th legislative district, ^[28] and was represented in the Nebraska Legislature by Steve Erdman; Erdman is a member of the Republican Party, though the legislature is officially nonpartisan. ^[29]

As of late 2016, 3314 registered voters were in Morrill County. Of these, 2175, or 65.6%, were Republicans; 591, or 17.8%, were Democrats; 522, or 15.8%, registered no political party; and 26, or 0.8%, were Libertarians. ^[30]

Morrill County voters are reliably Republican in national politics. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Morrill County, Nebraska ^[31]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	2,113	82.60%	386	15.09%	59	2.31%
2016	1,802	81.58%	284	12.86%	123	5.57%
2012	1,681	76.76%	455	20.78%	54	2.47%
2008	1,725	73.37%	557	23.69%	69	2.93%
2004	1,755	76.54%	495	21.59%	43	1.88%
2000	1,597	74.70%	460	21.52%	81	3.79%
1996	1,296	58.86%	620	28.16%	286	12.99%
1992	1,185	46.89%	577	22.83%	765	30.27%
1988	1,556	66.75%	754	32.35%	21	0.90%
1984	1,888	79.80%	464	19.61%	14	0.59%
1980	1,893	74.53%	512	20.16%	135	5.31%
1976	1,351	56.79%	971	40.82%	57	2.40%
1972	1,740	76.99%	520	23.01%	0	0.00%
1968	1,516	66.46%	480	21.04%	285	12.49%
1964	1,649	57.32%	1,228	42.68%	0	0.00%
1960	2,020	62.75%	1,199	37.25%	0	0.00%
1956	1,810	63.75%	1,029	36.25%	0	0.00%
1952	2,485	73.48%	897	26.52%	0	0.00%
1948	1,478	52.82%	1,320	47.18%	0	0.00%
1944	1,998	64.33%	1,108	35.67%	0	0.00%
1940	2,214	60.08%	1,471	39.92%	0	0.00%
1936	1,354	39.78%	1,999	58.73%	51	1.50%
1932	1,406	40.45%	2,008	57.77%	62	1.78%
1928	2,318	74.27%	765	24.51%	38	1.22%
1924	1,153	45.77%	734	29.14%	632	25.09%
1920	1,366	65.52%	667	31.99%	52	2.49%
1916	470	32.91%	888	62.18%	70	4.90%
1912	227	20.30%	391	34.97%	500	44.72%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Morrill County NE
• Morrill County Sheriff's Office (Nebraska)

References

1. "Morrill County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 19, 2023.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Bare, Ira, ed. (November 10, 1908). "The North Platte semi-weekly tribune., November 10, 1908 (retrieved from Archive)" (PDF). The North Platte semi-weekly tribune., November 10, 1908, Image 5. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 13, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2021. County division carried in Cheyenne county and the new county which takes the north half of the former territory of Cheyenne county, will be known as Morrill county
4. County History (accessed 25 January 2019)
5. "Morrill County". Archived from the original on July 16, 2011. Retrieved March 25, 2010. Retrieved on March 15, 2008.
6. Morrill County NE Google Maps (accessed 25 January 2019)
7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
8. Bauer, Scott. "Nebraska's Popular Chimney Rock Eroding". Washington Post. July 15, 2006. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
9. "Chimney Rock site of Sunday Afternoon at the Rock series". Scottsbluff Star-Herald. February 7, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
10. "Chimney Rock National Historic Site". Archived December 9, 2017, at the Wayback Machine City of Bayard. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
11. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
13. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 9, 2014.
14. "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 9, 2014.
15. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/morrillcountynebraska/PST045222.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
16. "Morrill County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 19, 2023.
17. "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 21, 2013.
18. "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
19. "Nebraska: Full-time Law Enforcement Employees by State by Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties, 2008". FBI. September 2009. Archived from the original on July 8, 2010. Retrieved September 1, 2010.
20. "Morrill County, Neb., Sheriff Honored by National Animal Protection Organization". Humane Society of the United States. September 28, 2009. Retrieved August 31, 2010.^{[ permanent dead link ]}
21. Loeks, Maunette (May 19, 2009). "Morrill County rancher faces more animal neglect charges in horse case". starherald.com. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
22. "Former ranch owner sentenced to prison". Kota Now. March 3, 2010 [4 February 2010]. Archived from the original on February 27, 2012. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
23. "Coin flip could decide Morrill County sheriff's race". Journal Star. May 13, 2010. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
24. Chabella Guzman (May 19, 2010). "Sheriff candidate draws winning card". Star Herald. Retrieved August 31, 2010.
25. "Nebraska Sheriffs' Association". Archived from the original on January 31, 2016. Retrieved April 10, 2022.
26. "Congress—Maps Clearinghouse". Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
27. "Adrian Smith". House Republicans. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
28. "Legislature—Maps Clearinghouse. Nebraska Legislature. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
29. 2016–17 Nebraska Blue Book Archived July 8, 2017, at the Wayback Machine , p. 314 for Erdman, p. 276 for nonpartisan Legislature. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
30. "Count of Registrants Eligible to Vote". Archived January 28, 2018, at the Wayback Machine Nebraska Secretary of State. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
31. Election Results

41°41′N103°01′W / 41.69°N 103.01°W / 41.69; -103.01