Editing Blaine County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = Blaine County
| state              = Nebraska
| founded            = 1885 (authorized)<br/>1886 (organized)
| seat wl            = Brewster
| largest city wl    = Dunning
| city type          = village
| area_total_sq_mi   = 714
| area_land_sq_mi    = 711
| area_water_sq_mi   = 3.6
| area percentage    = 0.5%
| census yr          = 2020
| pop                = 431
| density_sq_mi      = auto
| web                = blainecounty.nebraska.gov
| ex image           = Blaine County, Nebraska courthouse from SE 2.JPG
| ex image cap       = Blaine County Courthouse in Brewster
| district           = 3rd
| time zone          = Central
| named for          = [[James G. Blaine]]
}}

'''Blaine County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 431,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blaine County, Nebraska |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Blaine_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31009 |access-date=June 16, 2023 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> making it Nebraska's second-least populous county and the [[County statistics of the United States|sixth-least populous in the United States]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Brewster, Nebraska|Brewster]].<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 1885<ref>{{Cite book |last=Fitzpatrick, Lillian L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Dlas_EPVGFEC&pg=PA18 |title=Nebraska Place-Names |publisher=University of Nebraska Press |year=1960 |isbn=0803250606 |page=18}}</ref> and organized in 1886.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 15, 1989 |title=Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey |url=http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/blaine_county.pdf |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061116014304/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/blaine_county.pdf |archive-date=November 16, 2006 |access-date=December 13, 2014 |publisher=Nebraska State Historical Society}}</ref> It is named after presidential candidate [[James G. Blaine]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blaine County - History |url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/blaine.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704062254/http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/blaine.htm |archive-date=July 4, 2008 |access-date=March 16, 2008}}</ref>

In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|Nebraska license plate system]], Blaine County is represented by the prefix 86 (it had the 86th-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|715|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|711|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.6|sqmi}} (0.5%) 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 6, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>

===Major highways===
* [[File:N-2.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 2]]
* [[File:N-7.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 7]]
* [[File:N-91.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 91]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Loup County, Nebraska|Loup County]] – east
* [[Custer County, Nebraska|Custer County]] – south
* [[Logan County, Nebraska|Logan County]] – southwest
* [[Thomas County, Nebraska|Thomas County]] – west
* [[Cherry County, Nebraska|Cherry County]] – northwest
* [[Brown County, Nebraska|Brown County]] – north
{{div col end}}

===National protected area===
* [[Nebraska National Forest]] (part)

== History ==
Blaine County, named after James G. Blaine, a prominent American politician, was established on March 23, 1885. The settlement of Blaine County , like the rest of the [[Sandhills (Nebraska)|Sandhills region]], began later than many other Nebraska counties due to its less accessible and perceived less fertile location than other parts of Nebraska. Not until the passage of the [[Kinkaid Act]] in 1904, which allowed homesteaders to claim 640 acres instead of the usual 160 under the Homestead Act, did significant settlement in the county occur.<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Buechler |first=August F. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aIwUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PR10&dq=Buechler,+A.+F.,+and+R.+J.+Barr.+History+of+Hall+County,+Nebraska:+A+Narrative+of+the+Past,+with+Special+Emphasis+Upon+the+Pioneer+Period+of+the+County's+History,+Its+Social,+Commercial,+Educational,+Religious,+and+Civic+Development,+from+the+Early+Days+to+the+Present+Time.+Lincoln,+Neb.:+Western+Publishing+and+Engraving+Company,+1929.+(While+this+reference+primarily+covers+Hall+County,+it+provides+contextual+information+on+Nebraska's+settlement+patterns+including+areas+like+Blaine+County.)&hl=en&newbks=1&newbks_redir=0&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi5luXOhIGKAxUPkIkEHV0UJ5cQ6AF6BAgJEAI#v=snippet&q=Blaine&f=false |title=History of Hall County, Nebraska: A Narrative of the Past with Special Emphasis Upon the Pioneer Period of the County's History, and Chronological Presentation of Its Social, Commercial, Educational, Religious, and Civic Development from the Early Days to the Present Time, and Special Analysis of Its Military and Civil Participation in the Late World War |last2=Barr |first2=Robert J. |date=1920 |publisher=Western Publishing and Engraving Company |language=en}}</ref>

The first settlements in Blaine County were primarily for ranching rather than farming. The town of Brewster, established in 1884, became the county seat. Ranching, particularly cattle, became the economic mainstay, as the sandy soil was better suited for grazing than for crop cultivation. The settlers adapted to the environment by focusing on livestock, with cattle drives and the eventual development of cattle breeding being central to the county's economy.<ref name=":0" />

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 1146
|1900= 603
|1910= 1672
|1920= 1778
|1930= 1584
|1940= 1538
|1950= 1203
|1960= 1016
|1970= 847
|1980= 867
|1990= 675
|2000= 583
|2010= 478
|2020= 431
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{Cite web |title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html |access-date=December 28, 2019}}</ref>
|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 6, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=December 6, 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 6, 2014 |publisher=United States 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 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |access-date=December 6, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31009.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110806011237/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31009.html |archive-date=August 6, 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2013 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref>
}}

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 583 people, 238 households, and 168 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|0.82|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|person&nbsp;|person|}}. There were 333 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.5|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.97% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.51% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], and 0.51% from two or more races; 0.17% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 45.1% were of [[German Americans|German]], 12.2% [[English Americans|English]], 10.2% [[Irish Americans|Irish]] and 8.4% [[American ancestry]].

There were 238 households, of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.00% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 2.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.00% were non-families. 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 26.20% under the age of 18, 3.90% from 18 to 24, 26.60% from 25 to 44, 26.40% from 45 to 64, and 16.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,278, and the median income for a family was $28,472. Males had a median income of $17,917 versus $20,000 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $12,323. About 18.70% of families and 19.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 21.70% of those under age 18 and 9.40% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Villages===
* [[Brewster, Nebraska|Brewster]] (county seat)
* [[Dunning, Nebraska|Dunning]]
* [[Halsey, Nebraska|Halsey]] (partial)

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Purdum, Nebraska|Purdum]]
* [[Linscott, Nebraska|Linscott]]

==Politics==
Blaine County voters are strongly Republican. In only four national elections since 1900 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate, and none since 1936.
{{PresHead|place=Blaine 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|250|37|5|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|280|35|2|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|276|30|11|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|268|29|6|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|266|43|7|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|301|38|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|299|43|7|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|284|53|41|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|256|64|133|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|338|72|1|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|363|48|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|361|63|18|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|281|133|8|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|343|56|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|344|64|25|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|326|195|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|420|113|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|416|149|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|458|137|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|252|248|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|366|248|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|454|311|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|342|365|9|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|244|431|14|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|484|175|3|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|253|132|198|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|328|176|10|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|184|246|22|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|126|163|145|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|220|160|12|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|127|34|20|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|103|75|1|Nebraska}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Blaine County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Brown County, Nebraska|Brown County]]
|East      = [[Loup County, Nebraska|Loup County]]
|South     = [[Custer County, Nebraska|Custer County]]
|Southwest = [[Logan County, Nebraska|Logan County]]
|West      = [[Thomas County, Nebraska|Thomas County]]
|Northwest = [[Cherry County, Nebraska|Cherry County]]
}}

{{Blaine County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|41.93|-99.98|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Blaine County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties]]
[[Category:1886 establishments in Nebraska]]
[[Category:The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the United States]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1886]]