Webster County, Nebraska

{{other uses|Webster County (disambiguation){{!}}Webster County}}

{{Infobox U.S. county|

| county = Webster County

| state = Nebraska

| seal =

| founded = 1871

| seat wl = Red Cloud

| largest city = Red Cloud

| area_total_sq_mi = 575

| area_land_sq_mi = 575

| area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

| area percentage = 0.02%

| census estimate yr = 2021

| pop = 3,411

| density_sq_mi = 6.1

| web = www.co.webster.ne.us

| ex image = Webster County Courthouse, Red Cloud.jpg

| ex image cap = Webster County Courthouse in Red Cloud

| district = 3rd

| time zone = Central

| named for = Daniel Webster

}}

Webster County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 3,411.{{cite web |title=County Population Totals: 2020-2021 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html |website=Census.gov |publisher=US Census Bureau |access-date=October 21, 2022}} Its county seat is Red Cloud.{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}} The county was formed in 1871, and was named for Daniel Webster.{{cite web|url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/webster.htm|title=Webster County|access-date=March 16, 2008|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704062334/http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/webster.htm|archive-date=July 4, 2008}}

In the Nebraska license plate system, Webster County is represented by the prefix 45 (it had the forty-fifth-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

Webster County lies along the south line of Nebraska. Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of Kansas. The terrain of Webster County consists of low rolling hills, sloping to the east. The more planar areas of the county are used for agriculture, mostly under center pivot irrigation.[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Webster+County,+NE/@40.1908302,-98.6516203,36469m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x879856dda34c0c43:0xdd7d22f1ae7ca553!8m2!3d40.2357266!4d-98.5721016 Webster County NE Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)]

The Republican River flows eastward across the lower part of the county. The county has an area of {{convert|575|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|575|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.1|sqmi}} (0.02%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 12, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024152/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|archive-date=November 13, 2013}}

=Major highways=

=Adjacent counties=

Adams County - north
Clay County - northeast
Nuckolls County - east
Jewell County, Kansas - southeast
Smith County, Kansas - southwest
Franklin County - west
Kearney County - northwest

=Protected areas=

Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Indian+Creek+State+Wildlife+Management+Area,+Red+Cloud,+NE+68970/@40.0683729,-98.5340007,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x879856dda34c0c43:0xdd7d22f1ae7ca553!2sWebster+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.2357266!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x8798f5cd1f8b2fa9:0x341b2c1a9dec16c2!8m2!3d40.0685309!4d-98.5309068 Indian Creek State Wildlife Management Area, Red Cloud NE Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)]
Liberty Cove Recreation Area[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Liberty+Cove+Recreation+Area/@40.2250967,-98.3803662,12.75z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x879856dda34c0c43:0xdd7d22f1ae7ca553!2sWebster+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.2357266!4d-98.5721016!3m4!1s0x87984df0c8910f43:0xc647ccd8a8583ad7!8m2!3d40.2678692!4d-98.3060932 Liberty Cove Recreation Area Google Maps (accessed 24 January 2019)]

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1870= 16

|1880= 7104

|1890= 11210

|1900= 11619

|1910= 12008

|1920= 10922

|1930= 10210

|1940= 8701

|1950= 7395

|1960= 6224

|1970= 5396

|1980= 4858

|1990= 4279

|2000= 4061

|2010= 3812

|2020= 3395

|estyear=2021

|estimate=3411

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=US Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 12, 2014}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 12, 2014}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ne190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 12, 2014}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 12, 2014}} 2010-2013{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31181.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 22, 2013}}

}}

As of the 2000 United States Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}} there were 4,061 people, 1,708 households, and 1,118 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 1,972 housing units at an average density of {{convert|3|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units }}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.10% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 50.7% were of German, 9.7% English, 8.3% American and 7.6% Irish ancestry.

There were 1,708 households, out of which 26.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 5.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.50% were non-families. 32.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.89.

The county population contained 23.60% under the age of 18, 4.60% from 18 to 24, 22.90% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 24.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,026, and the median income for a family was $36,513. Males had a median income of $26,555 versus $18,480 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,802. About 7.70% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.50% of those under age 18 and 10.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

=Cities=

Blue Hill
Red Cloud (county seat)

=Villages=

=Census-designated place=

Inavale

=Unincorporated communities=

Politics

Webster County voters are reliably Republican. In no national election since 1964 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

{{PresHead|place=Webster County, Nebraska|whig=no|source1=[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]}}