Editing Adams County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Adams, Nebraska}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = Adams County
| state              = Nebraska
| founded            = 1867 (authorized)<br>1871 (organized)
| seat wl            = Hastings
| largest city       = Hastings
| area_total_sq_mi   = 564
| area_land_sq_mi    = 563
| area_water_sq_mi   = 1.0
| area percentage    = 0.2%
| census yr          = 2020
| pop                = 31027
| pop_est_as_of      = 2023
| population_est     = 28746 {{loss}}
| density_sq_mi      = auto
| web                = www.adamscounty.org
| ex image           = Adams County Courthouse (Nebraska) from S.JPG
| ex image cap       = Adams County Courthouse in Hastings
| district           = 3rd
| time zone          = Central
| named for  = [[John Adams]] }}

'''Adams County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 31,205.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/adamscountynebraska/PST045221 |access-date=January 23, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Hastings, Nebraska|Hastings]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was formed in 1867 and organized in 1871.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Adams County |url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/adams.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141213204655/http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/adams.html |archive-date=December 13, 2014 |access-date=December 13, 2014 |publisher=Nebraska Association of County Officials}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Andreas |first=A. T. |title=Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska |url=http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/adams/adams-p1.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030902100237/http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/adams/adams-p1.html |archive-date=September 2, 2003 |access-date=December 13, 2014 |website=The Kansas Collection}}</ref> It is named for [[John Adams]], the second [[President of the United States]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 1999 |title=Adams County Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey |url=http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/adams_county.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116012137/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/adams_county.pdf |archive-date=November 16, 2006 |access-date=March 29, 2014 |publisher=Nebraska State Historical Society}}</ref> Adams County comprises the Hastings, NE [[Hastings Micropolitan Statistical Area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|Nebraska license plate system]], Adams County is represented by the prefix 14 (it had the 14th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau|US Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|564|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|563|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.0|sqmi}} (0.2%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131113024152/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt |archive-date=November 13, 2013 |access-date=December 3, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[File:US 6.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 6 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 6]]
* [[File:US 34.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 34 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 34]]
* [[File:US 281.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 281 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 281]]
* [[File:N-74.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 74]]
{{div col end}}

===Transit===
*[[Amtrak]] ''[[California Zephyr]]'' (''[[Hastings station (Nebraska)|Hastings station]]'')

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Hamilton County, Nebraska|Hamilton County]] – northeast
* [[Clay County, Nebraska|Clay County]] – east
* [[Webster County, Nebraska|Webster County]] – south
* [[Kearney County, Nebraska|Kearney County]] – west
* [[Buffalo County, Nebraska|Buffalo County]] – northwest
* [[Hall County, Nebraska|Hall County]] – north
{{div col end}}

== History ==
{{See also|History of Nebraska}}
Adams County, Nebraska, was established on February 16, 1867, and named in honor of John Adams, the second President of the United States. The first settlers began to arrive in the late 1860s, following the [[Homestead Acts|Homestead Act of 1862]], which encouraged settlement by providing land to those who would develop and farm it. The initial settlement was somewhat slow due to Adams County's location in the [[Great Plains]], often considered inhospitable because of its harsh climate and lack of timber. The establishment of the city of Hastings in 1872 by the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad, however, marked a significant turning point. The town of Juniata was initially the county seat, but after a contentious election in 1877, Hastings became the county seat due to its strategic location at the junction of two railroads.<ref name=":0" />

Adams county's growth thereafter was closely tied to the expansion of the railroad. The advent of railroad access to the county led to an influx of settlers, and by the mid-1870s, Adams County had seen substantial development in agriculture, particularly in the cultivation of wheat, corn, and other grains, as well as in the breeding of livestock. The railroad not only brought settlers but also markets for their produce, transforming Adams County into an agricultural hub.<ref name=":0" />

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 19
|1880= 10235
|1890= 24303
|1900= 18840
|1910= 20900
|1920= 22621
|1930= 26275
|1940= 24576
|1950= 28855
|1960= 28944
|1970= 30553
|1980= 30656
|1990= 29625
|2000= 31151
|2010= 31364
| 2020 = 31205
|estyear=2021
|estimate=31027
|estref=<ref name="QF" />
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=US Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=December 3, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br>1790-1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=December 3, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ne190090.txt |access-date=December 3, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref><br>1990-2000<ref>{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |access-date=December 3, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010-2021<ref name=QF/>
}}

As of the [[2000 United States census]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=January 31, 2008 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> there were 31,151 people, 12,141 households, and 7,964 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|55|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 13,014 housing units at an average density of {{convert|23|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.54% [[Race (United States census)|White]], 0.64% [[Race (United States census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States census)|African American]], 0.36% [[Race (United States census)|Native American]], 1.60% [[Race (United States census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.99% from [[Race (United States census)|other races]], and 0.83% from two or more races. 4.58% of the population were [[Race (United States census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States census)|Latino]] of any race. 45.6% were of [[germans|German]], 7.9% Irish, 7.7% English and 7.3% American ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].

There were 12,141 households, out of which 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.40% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 28.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.

The county population included 24.40% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 15.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,160, and the median income for a family was $45,620. Males had a median income of $29,842 versus $21,236 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,308. About 5.50% of families and 9.30% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
Adams County voters have been strongly Republican. In only three national elections since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, all in national landslide victories for the party.
{{Hidden
|headercss  = background: #ccccff; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;
|contentcss = text-align: left; font-size: 100%; width: 100%;
|header     = Presidential election results
|content    =
{{PresHead|place=Adams County, Nebraska|whig=no|source1=<!-- <ref>{{Cite web |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS}}</ref> --> }}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,077|4,100|235|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|10,085|4,213|355|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|9,287|3,302|924|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|8,316|4,062|292|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|8,252|4,685|273|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|9,233|3,791|262|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|8,162|3,686|590|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,924|3,935|1,637|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|6,365|3,460|3,338|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|8,073|4,156|79|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|9,127|2,945|83|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|8,500|3,372|1,101|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|7,623|4,959|257|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|8,841|3,359|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|7,191|3,524|647|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,586|6,441|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|7,932|4,364|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|8,186|4,045|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|9,033|3,745|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|5,560|4,652|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|7,165|4,612|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|6,630|4,311|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,094|6,126|401|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,915|5,611|408|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,194|2,926|66|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,824|2,353|1,359|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,849|1,932|227|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,041|2,657|170|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|796|2,117|1,255|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,987|2,337|211|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,315|898|644|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|1,992|2,114|100|Nebraska}}
}}<!-- End of Hidden template -->

==Communities==
===City===
* [[Hastings, Nebraska|Hastings]] (county seat)

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Ayr, Nebraska|Ayr]]
* [[Holstein, Nebraska|Holstein]]
* [[Juniata, Nebraska|Juniata]]
* [[Kenesaw, Nebraska|Kenesaw]]
* [[Prosser, Nebraska|Prosser]]
* [[Roseland, Nebraska|Roseland]]
* [[Trumbull, Nebraska|Trumbull]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Assumption, Nebraska|Assumption]]
* [[Hansen, Nebraska|Hansen]]
* [[Hayland, Nebraska|Hayland]]
* [[Ingleside, Nebraska|Ingleside]]
* [[Pauline, Nebraska|Pauline]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Ayr Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Ayr]]
* [[Blaine Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Blaine]]
* [[Cottonwood Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Cottonwood]]
* [[Denver Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Denver]]
* [[Hanover Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Hanover]]
* [[Highland Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Highland]]
* [[Juniata Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Juniata]]
* [[Kenesaw Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Kenesaw]]
* [[Little Blue Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Little Blue]]
* [[Logan Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Logan]]
* [[Roseland Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Roseland]]
* [[Silver Lake Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Silver Lake]]
* [[Verona Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Verona]]
* [[Wanda Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Wanda]]
* [[West Blue Township, Adams County, Nebraska|West Blue]]
* [[Zero Township, Adams County, Nebraska|Zero]]
{{div col end}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Adams County, Nebraska]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
* [http://www.adamscounty.org/ Adams County Website]
* [http://www.adamshistory.org/ Adams County Historical Society]
* [http://www.visithastingsnebraska.com/ Adams County Convention & Visitors Bureau]

{{coord|40.52|-98.50|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Adams County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Hall County, Nebraska|Hall County]]
|Northeast = [[Hamilton County, Nebraska|Hamilton County]]
|East      = [[Clay County, Nebraska|Clay County]]
|Southeast = [[Nuckolls County, Nebraska|Nuckolls County]]
|South     = [[Webster County, Nebraska|Webster County]]
|Southwest = [[Franklin County, Nebraska|Franklin County]]
|West      = [[Kearney County, Nebraska|Kearney County]]
|Northwest = [[Buffalo County, Nebraska|Buffalo County]]
}}
{{Adams County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Adams County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties]]
[[Category:Hastings Micropolitan Statistical Area]]
[[Category:1871 establishments in Nebraska]]