Saunders County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is a strong producer of corn and soybeans. As of the 2020 census, the population was 22,278, and was estimated to be 23,702 in 2025.

Saunders County is included in the Omaha–Council Bluffs metropolitan area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Saunders County was represented by the prefix "6" (as it had the sixth-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Saunders County was created on January 26, 1856 act of the Nebraska Territorial Legislature, and was organized on October 8, 1867; its boundaries were redefined in 1858. It was originally named Calhoun County after John Calhoun, surveyor general of Kansas and Nebraska. Other sources contend that it was named for John C. Calhoun of South Carolina. In 1862, during the American Civil War, it was renamed after Nebraska territorial governor Alvin Saunders.

The first town in Saunders County was Ashland, then known as Saline Ford. Settlers continuing west from Nebraska City would often follow the Platte River across the state. To do so, they would have to cross the Salt Creek. A limestone-bottomed section of the creek near Ashland offered the safest opportunity. Permanent settlers occupied the area in the 1850s and the town of Ashland was officially formed in 1866.

Ashland served as the county seat of government beginning with the first elections in 1867. A courthouse was constructed in 1870. As Saunders County grew, residents realized they wanted a more centrally located seat of government. A vote was held in 1873 and Wahoo was selected to replace Ashland. The new courthouse was built in 1874. That building served the county until 1904 when a new building was constructed. The 1904 courthouse is still in use as of 2025.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (1.46%) is water. It is the 29th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.

Saunders County is bordered on the north and east by the Platte River. Several local drainages move runoff water from the county eastward into the Platte. The county terrain is composed of low rolling hills, which slope eastward and northeastward to the river valley.

Major highways

  • 20px U.S. Highway 6
  • 20px U.S. Highway 77
  • 20px Nebraska Highway 64
  • 20px Nebraska Highway 66
  • 20px Nebraska Highway 79
  • 20px Nebraska Highway 92
  • 20px Nebraska Highway 109

Adjacent counties

  • Douglas County – east
  • Sarpy County – east
  • Cass County – southeast
  • Lancaster County – south
  • Butler County – west
  • Dodge County – north

Protected areas

  • Bramble State Wildlife Management Area
  • Czechland Lake Recreation and Wildlife Management Area
  • Jack Sinn Memorial State Wildlife Management Area
  • Memphis Lake State Recreation Area
  • Pioneer State Recreation Area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 22,278. The median age was 41.2 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.7 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 4.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.6% of the population.

There were 8,667 households in the county, of which 31.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

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See also

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Saunders County, Nebraska

References

  • Saunders County (by Nebraska Rural Web)
  • Saunders County Government (website)
  • Mead and Hunt. (2003) Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey: Saunders County. Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved August 30, 2007.