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Dawes County, Nebraska facts for kids

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Dawes 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.
Country  United States
State  Nebraska
Founded 19 February 1885
Named for James W. Dawes
Seat Chadron
Largest city Chadron
Area
 • Total 1,401 sq mi (3,630 km2)
 • Land 1,396 sq mi (3,620 km2)
 • Water 4.6 sq mi (12 km2)  0.3%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
8,716
 • Density 6.4/sq mi (2.5/km2)
Time zone UTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−6 (MDT)
Congressional district 3rd

Dawes County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 9,182. Its county seat is Chadron. The county was formed in 1885; it was named for James W. Dawes, the Nebraska Governor at the time.

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

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.

Geography

According to the U.S. 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.

Major highways

  • US 20.svg U.S. Highway 20
  • US 385.svg U.S. Highway 385
  • N-2.svg Nebraska Highway 2
  • N-71.svg Nebraska Highway 71

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

  • Nebraska National Forest (part)
  • Oglala National Grassland (part)
  • Pine Ridge National Recreation Area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 9,722
1900 6,215 −36.1%
1910 8,254 32.8%
1920 10,160 23.1%
1930 11,493 13.1%
1940 10,128 −11.9%
1950 9,708 −4.1%
1960 9,536 −1.8%
1970 9,761 2.4%
1980 9,609 −1.6%
1990 9,021 −6.1%
2000 9,060 0.4%
2010 9,182 1.3%
2018 (est.) 8,716 −5.1%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 9,060 people, 3,512 households, and 2,086 families in the county. The population density was 6 people per square mile (3/km2). There were 4,004 housing units at an average density of 3 per square mile (1/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

Cities

Village

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Dawes para niños

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