Lincoln County, Nebraska

Not to be confused with Lincoln, Nebraska.

Lincoln County, Nebraska
County
The Lincoln County Courthouse in North Platte
The Lincoln County Courthouse in North Platte
Lincoln County, Nebraska
Lincoln County, Nebraska
Map of Nebraska highlighting Lincoln County
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 41°03′01″N 100°44′40″W / 41.0503°N 100.7445°W / 41.0503; -100.7445
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedJanuary 7, 1860
Named afterAbraham Lincoln
SeatNorth Platte
Largest cityNorth Platte
Area
 • Total
2,575.119 sq mi (6,669.53 km2)
 • Land2,564.155 sq mi (6,641.13 km2)
 • Water10.964 sq mi (28.40 km2)  0.43%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
34,676
 • Estimate 
(2025)
33,303 Decrease
 • Density13.523/sq mi (5.2214/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code308
Congressional district3rd
Websitelincolncountyne.gov
• Nebraska county number 56[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 15[2]

Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 34,676,[3] and was estimated to be 33,303 in 2025.[4] The county seat and the largest city is North Platte.[5]

Despite the county's name, the state capital city of Lincoln is not in or near Lincoln County.

Lincoln County is one of the three counties in the North Platte micropolitan area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Lincoln County was represented by the prefix "15" (as it had the 15th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Lincoln County was created on January 7, 1860;[6] it was named for Abraham Lincoln.[7]

Geography

Lincoln County is located in the Nebraska Sandhills, a region of mixed-grass prairie on grass-stabilized dunes. The land is generally given to agriculture, with considerable center pivot irrigation and cattle ranching. The North Platte River and the South Platte River flow eastward from Keith County, joining to form the Platte River east of the city of North Platte in central Lincoln County. The Platte then flows ESE out of the county.[8]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,575.119 square miles (6,669.53 km2), of which 2,564.155 square miles (6,641.13 km2) is land and 10.964 square miles (28.40 km2) (0.43%) is water.[9] It is the third-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[10]

Most of Nebraska's 93 counties (the eastern 2/3, including Lincoln County) observe Central Time; the western counties observe Mountain Time. Lincoln County is the westernmost of the Nebraska counties to entirely observe Central Time.[11]

Major highways

Transit

  • Burlington Trailways
  • Express Arrow

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

  • Birdwood Lake State Wildlife Management Area[12]
  • East Hershey State Wildlife Management Area[13]
  • East Sutherland State Wildlife Management Area[14]
  • Fort McPherson National Cemetery[15]
  • Jeffrey Canyon State Wildlife Management Area[16]
  • Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area[17]
  • Muskrat Run State Wildlife Management Area[18]
  • Platte State Wildlife Management Area[19]
  • Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area[20]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
187017—
18803,63221,264.7%
189010,441187.5%
190011,4169.3%
191015,68437.4%
192023,42049.3%
193025,6279.4%
194025,425−0.8%
195027,3807.7%
196028,4914.1%
197029,5383.7%
198036,45523.4%
199032,508−10.8%
200034,6326.5%
201036,2884.8%
202034,676−4.4%
2025 (est.)33,303[21] Decrease−4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[22]
1790–1960[23] 1900–1990[24]
1990–2000[25] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Lincoln County was $204,276.[26]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 14,890 estimated households in Lincoln County with an average of 2.23 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $65,148. Approximately 12.4% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Lincoln County has an estimated 62.2% employment rate, with 22.7% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 94.2% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 16,624 housing units at an average density of 6.48 per square mile (2.5/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (94.9%), Spanish (3.7%), Indo-European (1.1%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.1%), and Other (0.2%).

The median age in the county was 42.4 years.

Lincoln County, Nebraska – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[27] Pop. 1990[28] Pop. 2000[29] Pop. 2010[30] Pop. 2020[31]
White alone (NH) 34,597
(94.90%)		 30,561
(94.01%)		 32,072
(92.61%)		 32,741
(90.23%)		 29,643
(85.49%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 98
(0.27%)		 90
(0.28%)		 179
(0.52%)		 235
(0.65%)		 382
(1.10%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 92
(0.25%)		 108
(0.33%)		 137
(0.40%)		 162
(0.45%)		 147
(0.42%)
Asian alone (NH) 138
(0.38%)		 111
(0.34%)		 129
(0.37%)		 192
(0.53%)		 325
(0.94%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 2
(0.01%)		 5
(0.01%)		 6
(0.02%)
Other race alone (NH) 11
(0.03%)		 15
(0.05%)		 5
(0.01%)		 19
(0.05%)		 111
(0.32%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 228
(0.66%)		 332
(0.91%)		 1,051
(3.03%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,519
(4.17%)		 1,623
(4.99%)		 1,880
(5.43%)		 2,602
(7.17%)		 3,011
(8.68%)
Total 36,455
(100.00%)		 32,508
(100.00%)		 34,632
(100.00%)		 36,288
(100.00%)		 34,676
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 33,319 people, 14,890 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 12.99 inhabitants per square mile (5.0/km2). There were 16,624 housing units at an average density of 6.48 per square mile (2.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% White (85.8% NH White), 1.5% African American, 1.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 9.7% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 34,676 people, 14,683 households, and 9,208 families residing in the county.[32] The population density was 13.52 inhabitants per square mile (5.2/km2). There were 16,526 housing units at an average density of 6.45 per square mile (2.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.47% White, 1.23% African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.94% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.71% from some other races and 6.02% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 8.68% of the population.[33]

There were 14,683 households in the county, of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 24.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[34]

The median age was 41.4 years. 23.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.9 males age 18 and over. Among occupied housing units, 68.0% were owner-occupied and 32.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.7%. 68.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 32.0% lived in rural areas.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 36,288 people, 15,025 households, and 10,116 families residing in the county.[35] The population density was 14.15 inhabitants per square mile (5.5/km2). There were 16,583 housing units at an average density of 6.47 per square mile (2.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.33% White, 0.72% African American, 0.59% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.35% from some other races and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 7.17% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 34,632 people, 14,076 households, and 9,444 families residing in the county. The population density was 13.51 inhabitants per square mile (5.2/km2). There were 15,438 housing units at an average density of 6.02 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.70% White, 0.54% African American, 0.51% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 2.65% from some other races and 1.21% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 5.43% of the population.

There were 14,076 households, out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 8.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.90% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.97.

The county population contained 26.20% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,568, and the median income for a family was $45,185. Males had a median income of $36,244 versus $20,252 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,696. About 7.20% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Rural highway in Lincoln County

City

Villages

Unincorporated communities

  • Dickens
  • Somerset

Politics

Lincoln County voters generally vote Republican. In only three national elections since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, most recently in 1964 in the midst of Lyndon B. Johnson's national landslide victory.[36]

Political Party Number of registered voters (April 1, 2026)[37] Percent
Republican 14,543 63.01%
Independent 4,272 18.51%
Democratic 3,764 16.31%
Libertarian 327 1.42%
Legal Marijuana Now 174 0.75%
Total 23,080 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Lincoln County, Nebraska[38]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1900 1,386 53.06% 1,169 44.75% 57 2.18%
1904 1,449 63.89% 328 14.46% 491 21.65%
1908 1,541 48.43% 1,382 43.43% 259 8.14%
1912 690 21.63% 1,129 35.39% 1,371 42.98%
1916 1,309 34.61% 2,192 57.96% 281 7.43%
1920 3,342 57.40% 1,896 32.57% 584 10.03%
1924 2,857 40.94% 1,373 19.67% 2,749 39.39%
1928 5,946 70.58% 2,381 28.26% 98 1.16%
1932 3,082 32.68% 6,047 64.12% 302 3.20%
1936 3,857 35.73% 6,742 62.45% 197 1.82%
1940 5,908 54.36% 4,960 45.64% 0 0.00%
1944 5,969 57.88% 4,344 42.12% 0 0.00%
1948 4,419 51.68% 4,131 48.32% 0 0.00%
1952 8,292 69.00% 3,726 31.00% 0 0.00%
1956 7,523 62.70% 4,475 37.30% 0 0.00%
1960 7,685 61.49% 4,812 38.51% 0 0.00%
1964 4,811 42.74% 6,446 57.26% 0 0.00%
1968 5,996 58.39% 3,491 34.00% 782 7.62%
1972 7,502 69.97% 3,220 30.03% 0 0.00%
1976 7,076 55.55% 5,355 42.04% 308 2.42%
1980 9,643 66.60% 3,768 26.02% 1,068 7.38%
1984 10,717 70.01% 4,509 29.46% 81 0.53%
1988 8,425 57.57% 6,118 41.81% 91 0.62%
1992 7,054 45.04% 5,158 32.94% 3,449 22.02%
1996 7,482 50.54% 5,165 34.89% 2,157 14.57%
2000 9,220 61.00% 5,205 34.44% 689 4.56%
2004 11,056 68.25% 4,905 30.28% 238 1.47%
2008 10,817 66.46% 5,046 31.00% 414 2.54%
2012 10,728 68.53% 4,450 28.43% 477 3.05%
2016 12,164 75.41% 2,913 18.06% 1,054 6.53%
2020 13,071 76.16% 3,692 21.51% 400 2.33%
2024 12,674 76.67% 3,586 21.69% 270 1.63%

Notable people

  • Anne McGrew Bennett (1903–1986), writer and feminist

Education

School districts include:[39]

  • Arnold Public Schools #89, Arnold
  • Brady Public Schools #6, Brady
  • Eustis-Farnam Public Schools #95, Eustis
  • Gothenburg Public Schools #20, Gothenburg
  • Hershey Public Schools #37, Hershey
  • Maxwell Public Schools #7, Maxwell
  • Maywood Public Schools #46, Maywood
  • McPherson County Schools #90, Tryon
  • Medicine Valley Public Schools #125, Curtis
  • North Platte Public Schools #1, North Platte
  • Paxton Consolidated Schools #6, Paxton
  • Perkins County Schools #20, Grant
  • Stapleton Public Schools #501, Stapleton
  • Sutherland Public Schools #55, Sutherland
  • Wallace Public School District #565, Wallace

See also

Wikimedia Commons logo
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lincoln County, Nebraska.
  • Lincoln County Sheriff's Office (Nebraska)
  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Lincoln County, Nebraska

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lincoln County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  7. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 187.
  8. ^ "Lincoln County, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  9. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  10. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lincoln County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  11. ^ "Map of Time Zone Line through Nebraska". Google Images. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  12. ^ "Birdwood Lake State Wildlife Management Area, North Platte, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  13. ^ "East Hershey State Wildlife Management Area, North Platte, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  14. ^ "East Sutherland State Wildlife Management Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  15. ^ "Fort McPherson National Cemetery". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  16. ^ "Jeffrey Canyon State Wildlife Management Area, Brady, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  17. ^ "Maloney Reservoir State Recreation Area, North Platte, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  18. ^ "Muskrat Run State Wildlife Management Area, North Platte, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  19. ^ "Platte State Wildlife Management Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  20. ^ "Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  21. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  22. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  23. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  24. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  25. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  26. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  27. ^ "Lincoln County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  28. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  29. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lincoln County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  30. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lincoln County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  31. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lincoln County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 11, 2026.
  32. ^ "US Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  33. ^ "How many people live in Lincoln County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  34. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  35. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 280 of 385. Retrieved April 12, 2026.
  36. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 911 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 400 votes and Prohibition Eugene Chafin received 60 votes.
  37. ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. April 2, 2026. Retrieved April 9, 2026.
  38. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
  39. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Lincoln County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved April 12, 2026. - Text list
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