Dawes County, Nebraska

Coordinates: 42°43′N 103°08′W / 42.71°N 103.14°W / 42.71; -103.14
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dawes County
County
Dawes County Courthouse in Chadron
Dawes County Courthouse in Chadron
Map of Nebraska highlighting Dawes County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Map of the United States highlighting Nebraska
Nebraska's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 42°43′N 103°08′W / 42.71°N 103.14°W / 42.71; -103.14
Country United States
State Nebraska
Founded19 February 1885
Named forJames W. Dawes
SeatChadron
Largest cityChadron
Area
 • Total1,401 sq mi (3,630 km2)
 • Land1,396 sq mi (3,620 km2)
 • Water4.6 sq mi (12 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total8,199
 • Density5.9/sq mi (2.3/km2)
Time zoneUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.dawes-county.com

Dawes County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 8,199.[1] Its county seat is Chadron.[2] The county was formed in 1885; it was named for James W. Dawes, the Nebraska Governor at the time.[3]

In the Nebraska license-plate system, Dawes County is represented by the prefix 69 (it had the 69th-largest number of vehicles registered when the license-plate system was established in 1922).

History[edit]

Dawes County was a part of the unorganized area of northwestern Nebraska until February 19, 1877, when it became a part of Sioux County from which it was separated February 19, 1885 and was given its present name.[4]

Geography[edit]

Dawes County lies on the north border of Nebraska. Its north boundary line abuts the south boundary line of the state of South Dakota. According to the US Census Bureau, the county has an area of 1,401 square miles (3,630 km2), of which 1,396 square miles (3,620 km2) is land and 4.6 square miles (12 km2) (0.3%) is water.[5]

Since it lies in the western part of Nebraska, Dawes County residents observe Mountain Time. The eastern two-thirds of the state observes Central Time.

Major highways[edit]

Transit[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

National protected areas[edit]

State protected areas[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18909,722—
19006,215−36.1%
19108,25432.8%
192010,16023.1%
193011,49313.1%
194010,128−11.9%
19509,708−4.1%
19609,536−1.8%
19709,7612.4%
19809,609−1.6%
19909,021−6.1%
20009,0600.4%
20109,1821.3%
20208,199−10.7%
2022 (est.)8,241[6]0.5%
US Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010[11] 2020

As of the 2000 United States Census,[12] there were 9,060 people, 3,512 households, and 2,086 families in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile (2.3 people/km2). There were 4,004 housing units at an average density of 3 units per square mile (1.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.34% White, 0.81% Black or African American, 2.88% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.03% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 2.43% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.0% were of German, 9.9% English, 9.2% Irish and 7.4% American ancestry.

There were 3,512 households, out of which 26.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.50% were married couples living together, 7.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.60% were non-families. 31.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.90% 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 2.87.

The county population contained 21.20% under the age of 18, 23.40% from 18 to 24, 20.40% from 25 to 44, 20.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 95.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,476, and the median income for a family was $41,092. Males had a median income of $29,162 versus $17,404 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,353. About 9.80% of families and 18.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Village[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Ghost town[edit]

Politics[edit]

Dawes County voters have been reliably Republican for decades; in no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2020).

United States presidential election results for Dawes County, Nebraska[13]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,931 70.61% 1,082 26.07% 138 3.32%
2016 2,632 71.60% 801 21.79% 243 6.61%
2012 2,478 66.47% 1,132 30.36% 118 3.17%
2008 2,376 62.94% 1,285 34.04% 114 3.02%
2004 2,809 70.33% 1,119 28.02% 66 1.65%
2000 2,549 70.39% 823 22.73% 249 6.88%
1996 1,991 55.69% 1,108 30.99% 476 13.31%
1992 1,961 48.21% 987 24.26% 1,120 27.53%
1988 2,621 69.50% 1,123 29.78% 27 0.72%
1984 3,326 78.59% 865 20.44% 41 0.97%
1980 3,283 76.24% 705 16.37% 318 7.39%
1976 2,446 62.56% 1,286 32.89% 178 4.55%
1972 2,987 80.77% 711 19.23% 0 0.00%
1968 2,600 71.94% 741 20.50% 273 7.55%
1964 2,518 61.61% 1,569 38.39% 0 0.00%
1960 3,106 70.83% 1,279 29.17% 0 0.00%
1956 2,523 73.86% 893 26.14% 0 0.00%
1952 3,583 75.59% 1,157 24.41% 0 0.00%
1948 2,399 61.54% 1,499 38.46% 0 0.00%
1944 2,747 65.50% 1,447 34.50% 0 0.00%
1940 3,184 64.26% 1,771 35.74% 0 0.00%
1936 2,083 40.67% 2,784 54.35% 255 4.98%
1932 2,095 44.84% 2,457 52.59% 120 2.57%
1928 3,276 73.32% 1,173 26.25% 19 0.43%
1924 1,575 41.25% 595 15.58% 1,648 43.16%
1920 1,801 64.60% 900 32.28% 87 3.12%
1916 751 39.42% 1,088 57.11% 66 3.46%
1912 298 18.97% 583 37.11% 690 43.92%
1908 836 51.99% 727 45.21% 45 2.80%
1904 818 66.45% 247 20.06% 166 13.48%
1900 613 49.32% 587 47.22% 43 3.46%

See also[edit]

Further reading[edit]

  • Brown, Franz Karl. "The farmers of Dawes County, Nebraska" (MS thesis. California State University, Northridge, 1987) online.
  • Pinney, Patricia M. (1985). Dawes County Nebraska: The First 100 Years. Dallas TX: Curtis Media Corp. ISBN 978-1-881070-35-1.
  • Sandstrom, Michael. "Travails Of The 'Magic City' The Great Depression In Dawes County." Nebraska History Fall2021, Vol. 102 Issue 3, pp 132–151.
  • The Louis Berger Group, Inc. (2005). Dawes County Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey (PDF). Lincoln NE: Nebraska State Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 16, 2006.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)

References[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dawes County, Nebraska.
  1. ^ "Dawes County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 101.
  4. ^ About Dawes County
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". US Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  6. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 19, 2013.
  7. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 17, 2018. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  10. ^ "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 6, 2014.
  11. ^ https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/dawescountynebraska/PST045222. {{cite web}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  12. ^ "U.S. Census website". US Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. ^ Election Results

42°43′N 103°08′W / 42.71°N 103.14°W / 42.71; -103.14

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