Big Springs is a village in Deuel County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2020 census, Big Springs had a population of 394.
History
The first name of the settlement was "Lone Tree", after a large cottonwood tree standing alone on the prairie near the town. It was believed to be over 100 years old at the time of first settlement and could be seen by riders on the Pony Express and travelers on the Oregon Trail. Sam Bass's gang reportedly divided $60,000 in loot under the tree from an 1877 robbery of a Union Pacific train. and named for the stream that runs through town. The Big Springs post office, established in 1884, was officially called Bigspring until 1943. The village of Big Springs was incorporated in 1917.
The county fair was held in Big Springs from 1889 to 1932. Chappell, the only other town in the county, became the county seat.
In 1965, Duane Earl Pope robbed the Farmers State Bank in Big Springs, killing three people.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land.
Interstate 76 intersects Interstate 80 near the village. U.S. Route 30, formerly known as the Lincoln Highway, intersects U.S. Route 138 approximately three miles to the north.
Climate
Big Springs has a continental semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk). The station being far inland means it is prone to vast temperature swings. On average between 1991 and 2020, the coldest day of the year had a high of and the warmest night had a low of .
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 400 people, 186 households, and 119 families residing in the village. The population density was . There were 217 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the village was 94.5% White, 0.8% Native American, 2.5% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.0% of the population.
There were 186 households, of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.65.
The median age in the village was 50.1 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.6% were from 25 to 44; 37.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.8% male and 51.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census