Humboldt, Nebraska

Humboldt is a city in Richardson County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 800 at the 2020 census.

History

thumb|left|East side of public square, 1917

Humboldt was platted in 1868. It was named after Humboldt, Tennessee, where an early settler had stayed while fighting in the Civil War.

In December 1993, Humboldt was the site of a triple murder, including the rape and murder of Brandon Teena, a transgender man.

Three Ball Charlie, pictured on the cover of The Rolling Stones' album Exile on Main St., grew up in Humboldt.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , all land.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 877 people, 385 households, and 213 families living in the city. The population density was . There were 470 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 97.1% White, 0.5% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.2% from other races, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 385 households, of which 23.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 44.7% were non-families. 40.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19% 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 2.87.

The median age in the city was 48.6 years. 21.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.8% were from 25 to 44; 26.3% were from 45 to 64; and 28.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.1% male and 52.9% female.

2000 census

right|thumb|Reuel Nims Store in Humboldt in 1885. This building was demolished in 1980.

As of the census

Notable people

Morris N. Hughes Jr., ambassador
Guy Hartsel Hummel, farmer and political figure
Don Ingalls, screenwriter and TV producer
Richard S. Molony, U.S. representative
F. W. Sweeney, college football player, coach, and railroad executive
Brandon Teena, an American trans man, was raped and murdered in Humboldt. His death led to increased lobbying for hate crime laws in the United States.
Eugene A. Tucker, attorney and politician