Mullen, Nebraska

Mullen, Nebraska
Village
Downtown Mullen: First Street
Motto:  "The Biggest Little Town in Hooker County" [1]
Location of Mullen, Nebraska
Coordinates: 42°02′35″N101°02′40″W / 42.04306°N 101.04444°W / 42.04306; -101.04444
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
County	Hooker
Area [2]
• Total	0.41 sq mi (1.07 km2)
• Land	0.41 sq mi (1.07 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation [3]	3,209 ft (978 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	500
• Density	1,210.65/sq mi (467.65/km2)
Time zone	UTC-7 (Mountain (MST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-6 (MDT)
ZIP code	69152
Area code	308
FIPS code	31-33250 [4]
GNIS feature ID	2399425 [3]
Website	mullennebraska.org

Mullen is a village in Hooker County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 509 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Hooker County. ^[5]

History

Mullen was laid out in 1888 when the railroad was extended to that point. ^[6] It was named for Charles Mullen, a railroad official. ^[6] The only settlement in Hooker County, Mullen was designated the county seat and the first courthouse was completed in 1889. ^[7] Mullen was incorporated as a village in 1907. ^[8]

Geography

Mullen is located in the Nebraska Sandhills.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.47 square miles (1.22 km²), all land. ^[9] Mullen was named after Charles D. Mullen of Lincoln. At that time, Mullen was Chief Clerk for Mr. D.E. Thompson, Division Superintendent of the CB&Q Railroad.

Climate

Climate data for Mullen 3S, Nebraska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1895–present)
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	74 (23)	77 (25)	87 (31)	100 (38)	104 (40)	108 (42)	111 (44)	110 (43)	102 (39)	94 (34)	82 (28)	74 (23)	111 (44)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	57.6 (14.2)	61.9 (16.6)	76.4 (24.7)	82.9 (28.3)	86.5 (30.3)	94.8 (34.9)	96.1 (35.6)	95.5 (35.3)	94.2 (34.6)	84.0 (28.9)	72.4 (22.4)	61.1 (16.2)	97.8 (36.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	36.9 (2.7)	39.3 (4.1)	50.2 (10.1)	58.9 (14.9)	68.6 (20.3)	79.9 (26.6)	86.0 (30.0)	84.1 (28.9)	76.4 (24.7)	61.5 (16.4)	48.9 (9.4)	37.8 (3.2)	60.7 (15.9)
Daily mean °F (°C)	25.8 (−3.4)	28.1 (−2.2)	37.5 (3.1)	46.3 (7.9)	56.7 (13.7)	67.4 (19.7)	73.3 (22.9)	71.3 (21.8)	62.7 (17.1)	48.9 (9.4)	36.8 (2.7)	27.0 (−2.8)	48.5 (9.2)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	14.8 (−9.6)	16.9 (−8.4)	24.9 (−3.9)	33.7 (0.9)	44.7 (7.1)	54.9 (12.7)	60.6 (15.9)	58.4 (14.7)	49.0 (9.4)	36.3 (2.4)	24.7 (−4.1)	16.3 (−8.7)	36.3 (2.4)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−10.2 (−23.4)	−6.1 (−21.2)	4.3 (−15.4)	18.4 (−7.6)	27.8 (−2.3)	44.3 (6.8)	47.8 (8.8)	46.4 (8.0)	33.4 (0.8)	16.5 (−8.6)	4.6 (−15.2)	−5.2 (−20.7)	−14.8 (−26.0)
Record low °F (°C)	−35 (−37)	−38 (−39)	−22 (−30)	−11 (−24)	15 (−9)	31 (−1)	38 (3)	33 (1)	18 (−8)	2 (−17)	−14 (−26)	−31 (−35)	−38 (−39)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	0.36 (9.1)	0.52 (13)	1.33 (34)	2.57 (65)	3.81 (97)	3.95 (100)	3.95 (100)	2.27 (58)	2.56 (65)	1.85 (47)	0.65 (17)	0.43 (11)	24.25 (616)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	4.6 (12)	8.2 (21)	5.8 (15)	7.7 (20)	0.8 (2.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	1.8 (4.6)	5.2 (13)	7.7 (20)	41.8 (106)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	3.8	4.8	5.8	8.6	11.5	10.2	9.5	7.1	6.5	6.0	3.9	3.9	81.6
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	3.8	4.8	3.2	2.3	0.5	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	1.1	2.5	4.1	22.3
Source: NOAA [10] [11]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1920	499		—
1930	524		5.0%
1940	725		38.4%
1950	652		−10.1%
1960	811		24.4%
1970	667		−17.8%
1980	720		7.9%
1990	554		−23.1%
2000	491		−11.4%
2010	509		3.7%
2020	500		−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [12]

2010 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2010, there were 509 people, 232 households, and 139 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,083.0 inhabitants per square mile (418.1/km²). There were 293 housing units at an average density of 623.4 per square mile (240.7/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.4% White, 0.8% Native American, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 232 households, of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 40.1% were non-families. 37.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.76.

The median age in the village was 50.9 years. 20.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.6% were from 25 to 44; 27.9% were from 45 to 64; and 29.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 47.0% male and 53.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[4] of 2000, there were 491 people, 236 households, and 139 families residing in the village. The population density was 1,307.8 inhabitants per square mile (504.9/km²). There were 309 housing units at an average density of 823.0 per square mile (317.8/km²). The racial makeup of the village was 98.78% White, 0.41% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.22% of the population.

There were 236 households, out of which 22.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were married couples living together, 5.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.1% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 22.4% under the age of 18, 3.7% from 18 to 24, 21.4% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 28.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 47 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.4 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $26,989, and the median income for a family was $34,375. Males had a median income of $25,625 versus $16,375 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,532. About 2.8% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Annual cultural events

The Sandhills Journey Scenic Byway Polar Bear Tank Race is held each winter. Teams race down the Middle Loup River in eight foot stock tanks. ^{[14] [15]}

The Sharptail Shootout is held each year in September and is a timed competition for hunters to see who can bag the largest number of grouse with the least shots fired. The event has been held for more than twenty-five years. ^{[14] [16]}

Museums and other points of interest

The Hooker County Historical Museum has many exhibits including a display of the area’s wartime and peacetime military. ^[14]

Parks and recreation

The Sand Hills Golf Club located outside Mullen ranks as one of the top courses in the world according to Golf Magazine's World Top 100. ^[17] The Mullen Golf Club was originally established in 1924, and is a 9-hole course located on the west edge of Mullen. Originally a sand greens layout, the course was redesigned (including grass greens) in 1938 switching to grass greens in 1991.

Local businesses

• 1st State Bank - 1st.BANK ^[18]

Education

Mullen is part of the Mullen Public Schools School District. The district has an elementary school and high school. Students attend Mullen High School. ^{[19] [20]}

Transportation

There are no scheduled commercial flights that fly into Mullen or into Hooker County. The nearest airports with regular airline service are in North Platte and Alliance.

Media

The Hooker County Tribune is published in Mullen. It is a weekly newspaper featuring local news and events. ^[21]

Notable people

• Justin McBride, 2005 & 2007 PBR World Champion and country music singer ^[22]
• John Howell, safety on 2003 NFL Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers ^[23]

References

1. "Mullen Nebraska". Mullen Nebraska. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
2. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
3. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Mullen, Nebraska
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
6. "Mullen, Hooker County". Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies. University of Nebraska. Retrieved August 13, 2014.
7. Plantz, Merritt Alexander (1964). Soil survey, Hooker County, Nebraska. U.S. Dept. of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. p. 1.
8. Hellmann, Paul T. (February 14, 2006). Historical Gazetteer of the United States. Routledge. p. 673. ISBN   1-135-94859-3.
9. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
10. "NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
11. "Station: Mullen, NE". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved November 27, 2021.
12. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved June 24, 2012.
14. "Mullen Nebraska". Mullen Nebraska. Archived from the original on September 26, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
15. "Polar Bear Tank Race". Sandhills Journey. Archived from the original on April 6, 2014. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
16. "SharptailShootout". Sharptail Shootout. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
17. Passov, Joe. "The Greatest Course of the Last 50 Years - Sand Hills It is an 18-hole private course". Golf.com. Retrieved July 28, 2009.
18. "1st State Bank Locations". 1st.BANK. 2019.
19. "Mullen Public Schools". Mullen Public Schools. Archived from the original on September 27, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
20. "Mullen Public Schools". education.com. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
21. "Hooker County Tribune, LLC". Mullen Nebraska. Archived from the original on August 15, 2012. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
22. Mihoces, Gary (October 24, 2006). "Justin McBride". USA Today. Retrieved October 22, 2012.
23. "The 2002 Bucs: Where Are They Now?". The Tampa Tribune . October 22, 2012. Retrieved January 27, 2009.

External links

• Mullen Nebraska Website
• History & Genealogy Mullen Nebraska
• City-Data.com
• ePodunk" Profile or Mullen Nebraska
• Mullen Public Schools