Custer County, Nebraska

thumb|Custer County

Custer County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 10,545. Its county seat is Broken Bow. The county was formed in 1877 and named after General George Armstrong Custer, who was killed at the Battle of Little Bighorn.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Custer County is represented by the prefix 4 (it had the fourth-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Geography

According to the US Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.01%) is water. In area, it is the second largest county in Nebraska, behind only Cherry County, slightly more than twice its size.

Major highways

25px U.S. Highway 183
20px Nebraska Highway 2
20px Nebraska Highway 21
20px Nebraska Highway 40
20px Nebraska Highway 47
20px Nebraska Highway 70
20px Nebraska Highway 92

Adjacent counties

Valley County – northeast
Sherman County – southeast
Buffalo County – southeast
Dawson County – south
Lincoln County – southwest
Logan County – west
Blaine County – northwest
Loup County – northeast

History

Custer County, named in honor of General George Armstrong Custer, was officially organized in 1877, although its settlement commenced earlier. The region was once part of the Sioux territory, but following the Indian Wars, particularly after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, the land was opened for homesteading. The first settlers arrived in the early 1870s, inspired by the promise of land through the Homestead Act of 1862. These early pioneers encountered formidable challenges like extreme weather conditions, isolation, and the task of farming in what was considered the Great American Desert. They constructed sod houses due to the absence of timber, and settlements were strategically placed near water sources.

The Burlington Railroad's extension through the county in the early 1880s significantly boosted settlement by providing a means for transportation and trade. This led to the establishment of towns like Broken Bow, which was designated as the county seat. The railroad not only facilitated the influx of settlers but also allowed for the export of agricultural products, marking the transition from cattle ranching to more diverse farming practices.

Agriculture shifted from cattle ranching to diversified farming, with wheat and corn becoming prominent crops. By the dawn of the 20th century, the community had established schools, churches, and other civic institutions, marking the transition from a frontier settlement to a more organized community.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,545. The median age was 43.5 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 23.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.6 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 94.1% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.7% of the population.

There were 4,551 households in the county, of which 26.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. there were 11,793 people, 4,826 households, and 3,320 families in the county. The population density was . There were 5,585 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 98.63% White, 0.07% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.20% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.3% were of German, 11.9% English, 10.6% Irish and 8.9% American ancestry.

There were 4,826 households, out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.90% were married couples living together, 5.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.20% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

The county population contained 26.30% under the age of 18, 5.50% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,677, and the median income for a family was $37,063. Males had a median income of $24,609 versus $19,732 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,171. About 9.10% of families and 12.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 9.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Broken Bow (county seat)
Sargent

Villages

Anselmo
Ansley
Arnold
Berwyn
Callaway
Comstock
Mason City
Merna
Oconto

Census-designated place

Westerville

Unincorporated communities

Cumro
Etna
Finchville
Gates
Lillian
Lodi
Milburn
New Helena
Round Valley
Walworth
Weissert
Wescott

Townships

Algernon
Ansley
Arnold
Berwyn
Broken Bow
Cliff
Comstock
Corner
Custer
Delight
Douglas Grove
East Custer
Elim
Elk Creek
Garfield
Grant
Hayes
Kilfoil
Lillian
Loup
Milburn
Myrtle
Ryno
Sargent
Spring Creek
Triumph
Victoria
Wayne
Westerville
West Union
Wood River

Politics

Custer County voters are reliably Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate.