Tri-Cities, Nebraska

Last updated
Tri-Cities
Region in Nebraska
Grand Island, Nebraska at Night from Flight from Chicago to Las Vegas, Nevada (7993018340).jpg
Satellite view of the Tri-Cities
Tri-Cities, Nebraska
CountryUnited States
StateNebraska
Population
 • Total
174,530
Time zone UTC-6:00 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-5:00 (CDT)

The Tri-Cities is an area of Nebraska consisting of the cities of Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney. It has a population of 174,530 as of 2020. [1] [2] [3] The Tri-Cities region is not an official Metropolitan Statistical Area or Combined Statistical Area, however the region would be Nebraska's third largest if it was, behind Lincoln but ahead of Sioux City. [4]

Contents

The Tri-Cities area holds historical significance, with it being a major destination for pioneers heading west on the Oregon Trail. [5] In recent years, the region has experienced large amounts of economic and population growth, with this being attributed to an influx in higher education jobs. [6]

History

Early settlement

Members of the Pawnee Tribe Pawnee lodge.jpg
Members of the Pawnee Tribe

Before the arrival of European settlers, the Tri-Cities area was inhabited by various groups of indigenous peoples, including the Pawnee and Ponca. [7] Members of these tribes famously hunted bison, which were once widespread in the area that became the Tri-Cities. [8]

The first permanent European settlers arrived in 1845, with the construction of Fort Kearney. [9] The fort was built as a response to large numbers of people passing through the region while travelling west. Throughout the 1840s and 50s, the region grew as a prominent supply post for those on the Oregon Trail, as well as for soldiers during the Indian Wars. [10] The town of Grand Island was first settled in 1857 by a small group of settlers from Davenport, Iowa. Along with Kearney (near Fort Kearney), Grand Island became one of the most prominent supply posts for those heading west. [11]

When the Union Pacific Railroad arrived to the Tri-Cities area in the mid-1860s, the region experienced rapid growth to an increase in business, and trade. [12] Later, in 1872, the town of Hastings was founded around 25 miles south of Grand Island. The town instantly became a boomtown, and by 1880, it had a population of over 2,000. [13]

20th century

Throughout the 20th century, the Tri-Cities region experienced robust economic and population growth. Due to the gradual decline of people heading west, the Tri-Cities economy shifted from business and trade to agriculture. The vast plains surrounding the cities were favorable for farming sugar beets, soybeans, and corn. [14]

During the second half of the 20th century, a number of manufacturing jobs were located to the Tri-Cities area, primarily in Grand Island. Today, these jobs still employ a large portion of the city's population, and play a significant role in keeping Grand Island from experiencing population decline. [15]

21st century

In recent years, the Tri-Cities region has experienced robust population growth, most notably in Kearney and Grand Island. This is often cited as the result of a sharp increase in higher education jobs arriving in the region. These include jobs in agricultural research, technology, and education. [16]

Grand Island, Kearney, and Hastings are 4th, 5th, and 8th most populous cities in Nebraska respectively. Based on past growth, and current growth estimates, it is possible that Kearney will surpass Grand Island as the region's most populous city in coming decades. [17]

Geography

Platte River near Grand Island Platte River GI.jpg
Platte River near Grand Island

The Tri-Cities region is located in central Nebraska, near the Platte River, which played a significant role in the region's early establishment and growth. The land surrounding area's major cities mainly consists of farmland, and gently rolling hills. Wooded areas are present, but fairly uncommon. [18]

The Tri-Cities region is often described as being at the edge of the cultural Midwest, and the beginning of the greater Rocky Mountain region. These is due to the more dry, and arid climate of the state west of the Tri-Cities, as opposed to the more humid, and forested eastern half of Nebraska. [19] [20]

The Tri-Cities region is usually defined as covering eight counties in central Nebraska. These include Adams, Buffalo, Clay, Hall, Howard, Merrick, Kearney, and Webster counties. In total, the region has a population of 174,530. [21]

Economy

The Tri-Cities economy was historically focused on agriculture and manufacturing, due to the large amount of open farmland surrounding the major cities. However, in recent years, a large number of higher education jobs have been brought to the region, with most of them being in Kearney. [22]

The Tri-Cities region is home to either the primary or regional headquarters of several large companies including The Buckle, Clarcor, and the Eaton Corporation. [23]

Attractions and culture

The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument (from the west), Kearney, Nebraska, USA.jpg
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument

Major Attractions

The Tri-Cities area is home to a number of major attractions. These include the Kearney Arch, a large memorial and museum that reached over Interstate 80, [24] as well as the Stuhr Museum, a museum dedicated to pioneers moving west, [25] and the Hastings Museum, a museum of natural history and culture which claims the title of largest municipal museum between Chicago and Denver. [26]

Grand Island is the home of the Nebraska State Fair, which attracts several hundred thousand people to the Tri-Cities region each year. [27]

Inventions

Hastings, one of the Tri-Cities, is famously the town in which Kool-Aid was invented. [28] Residence of the town often boast this, and the drink is even considered Nebraska's official soft drink. [29]

Education

Logo of University of Nebraska-Kearney University of Nebraska at Kearney logo.png
Logo of University of Nebraska-Kearney

The largest college in the Tri-Cities is the University of Nebraska at Kearney, which had an attendance of over 6,000 students in 2019. Other regional colleges include the Central Community College in both Grand Island and Hastings, and Hastings College of Liberal Arts. [30]

The most prominent school districts in the Tri-Cities include Grand Island Public Schools, Grand Island Northwest Public Schools, Kearney Public Schools, and Hastings Public Schools. Throughout each city, there are a number of private schools, with the majority of which being associated with religious institutions. [31] [32]

See also

Related Research Articles

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The Hastings Giants was the final nickname of the minor league baseball teams, based in Hastings, Nebraska between 1887 and 1959. The Hastings Giants played in the short-season Class D level Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959. Earlier Hastings teams played as members the Western League (1887), Nebraska State League and Tri-State League (1924).

Minor league baseball teams were based in Grand Island, Nebraska in various seasons between 1892 and 1959. Grand Island teams played as members of the Nebraska State League, Tri-State League (1924) and Nebraska State League, winning three league championships.

Minor league baseball teams were based in Hastings, Nebraska in various seasons between 1887 and 1959, playing under numerous nicknames. The Hastings Giants played in the short-season Class D level Nebraska State League from 1956 to 1959. Earlier Hastings teams had played as members the Nebraska State League in 1892, Western League in 1887, the Nebraska State League from 1910 to 1915 and 1922 to 1923 and the Tri-State League in 1924. The Hastings Giants were a minor league affiliate of the New York Giants from 1956 to 1957 and San Francisco Giants in 1958 and 1959 while hosting home minor league games at Duncan Field.

References

  1. ↑ O'Callaghan, Bree Dority (Oct 2002). "A Nebraska Success Story-The Tri-Cities". Business in Nebraska. 58 (671). Bureau of Business Research at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Archived from the original on 2015-09-25. Retrieved 2023-05-27.
  2. ↑ "Tri-Cities region ranks high on Nebraska Thriving Index". Kearney Hub . November 5, 2020. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Travel to the Tri-Cities". Nebraska Tourism Commission. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  4. ↑ US Census. "Nebraska: 2020 Core Based Statistical Areas and Counties" (PDF).
  5. ↑ "History | City of Kearney, NE - Official Website". cityofkearney.org. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  6. ↑ "Employment Opportunities | Human Resources | University of Nebraska at Kearney". www.unk.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  7. ↑ "American Indian, Native American, and Indigenous Persons Resources – Nebraska Department of Education" . Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  8. ↑ "Nebraska Historical society".
  9. ↑ "Fort Kearny". nebraskastudies.org. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  10. ↑ "Travel the Oregon Trail in Nebraska | VisitNebraska.com". visitnebraska.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  11. ↑ Department History. "https://www.giud.com/about-us/department-history#:~:text=Hall%20county%2C%20where%20Grand%20Island,they%20struggled%20with%20the%20elements".{{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  12. ↑ "Train town page: Grand Island, NE". www.up.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  13. ↑ "History - City of Hastings, NE". www.cityofhastings.org. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  14. ↑ "Grand Island History". visitgrandisland.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  15. ↑ "Manufacturers Category | Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce". gichamberne.chambermaster.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  16. ↑ www.higheredjobs.com https://www.higheredjobs.com/institution/search.cfm?University=University%20of%20Nebraska%20at%20Kearney . Retrieved 2024-11-04.{{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  17. ↑ Bureau, US Census. "Nebraska Population Neared 2 Million in 2020". Census.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-04.{{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  18. ↑ "Platte River | Nebraska, Map, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  19. ↑ "Midwest | History, States, Map, Culture, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-11-01. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  20. ↑ "Rocky Mountains | Location, Map, History, & Facts | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-10-31. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  21. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  22. ↑ "Higher Education Student Affairs | University of Nebraska at Kearney". www.unk.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  23. ↑ www.goldenshovelagency.com, -Golden Shovel Agency. "Leading Employers in Buffalo County, NE". www.growbuffalocounty.com. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  24. ↑ "The Archway - Kearney, NE". The Archway. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  25. ↑ "Home". Stuhr Museum. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  26. ↑ "Hastings Museum Plan Your Visit | Hastings Museum". 2019-06-09. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  27. ↑ "Nebraska State Fair | Grand Island NE". www.statefair.org. 2021-07-15. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  28. ↑ "Kool-Aid". Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  29. ↑ USA, State Symbols (2014-09-13). "Kool-Aid State Soft Drink | State Symbols USA". statesymbolsusa.org. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  30. ↑ "UNK at a Glance | About UNK | University of Nebraska at Kearney". www.unk.edu. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  31. ↑ "2025 Largest School Districts in Nebraska". Niche. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  32. ↑ "Private Schools in Grand Island, NE". Niche. Retrieved 2024-11-04.
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