Editing Blair, Nebraska

{{short description|City in and county seat of Washington County, Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Blair, Nebraska
| settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Blair, Nebraska Washington from 18th.JPG
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Washington Street in Blair, November 2010
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Washington_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Blair_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Blair within Washington County and Nebraska
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
|pushpin_map = USA
|pushpin_relief = yes
|pushpin_label = Blair
|pushpin_map_caption = Location within the United States

<!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Nebraska]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Nebraska|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Washington County, Nebraska|Washington]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Mayor-council government]]
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Mindy Rump
| leader_title1            = 
| leader_name1             = 
| established_title        = 
| established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=September 18, 2022}}</ref>
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 14.32
| area_land_km2            = 14.27
| area_water_km2           = 0.05
| area_total_sq_mi         = 5.53
| area_land_sq_mi          = 5.51
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.02

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 7790
| population_density_km2   = 545.78
| population_density_sq_mi = 1413.54

<!-- General information -->
| timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = CDT
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 1089
| coordinates              = {{coord|41|32|45|N|96|06|48|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code              = 68008-68009
| area_code                = [[Area code 402|402]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 31-05350
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2394184<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394184}}</ref>
| website                  = {{URL|https://www.blairnebraska.org/|blairnebraska.org}}
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}

'''Blair''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Washington County, Nebraska]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{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=2011-05-31 |access-date=2011-06-07 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>  The population was 7,990 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. Blair is a part of the [[Omaha-Council Bluffs metropolitan area|Omaha-Council Bluffs Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Blair was [[plat]]ted in 1869 when the [[Sioux City and Pacific Railroad]] was extended to that point.<ref name="Blair, Washington County">{{Cite web |title=Blair, Washington County |url=http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/washington/blair/ |access-date=24 August 2014 |website=Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies |publisher=University of Nebraska |archive-date=February 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190223045905/http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/washington/blair/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was named for railroad magnate [[John Insley Blair]], who was credited with bringing the railroad to town.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Chicago and North Western Railway Company |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA44 |title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways |year=1908 |page=44}}</ref> Blair was incorporated as a city in 1872.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Buss |first=William Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/historyofdodgewa01buss |title=History of Dodge and Washington Counties, Nebraska, and Their People |last2=Osterman |first2=Thomas T. |publisher=American Historical Society |year=1921 |page=[https://archive.org/details/historyofdodgewa01buss/page/402 402]}}</ref> Within its first year, Blair was designated county seat.<ref name="Blair, Washington County" />

In March 1869, a small child playing on a railroad turntable in town was injured on the turntable. The father sued the railway for damages, leading all the way up to the [[Supreme Court of the United States]] in the 1873 case ''[[Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Co. v. Stout]]''.

[[File:Blair-Corp of Eng. 6-20-11-A 381.jpg|thumb|left|Blair and the Blair Bridge on June 20, 2011, during the [[2011 Missouri River floods]]]]
In 1874, during the [[Panic of 1873]], a grasshopper storm enveloped the region. Many Nebraskans were faced with starvation. An organization, the Nebraska Relief and Aid Society was formed in order to help affected persons. A law was passed by congress awarding $100,000 relief, and many Blair citizens were awarded money. Both the newspapers and the railroads in the region helped transport supplies free of charge. Both the [[Nebraska State Guard]] and the [[United States Army]] helped distribute food and clothing.

Construction of the [[Blair Bridge (Union Pacific Railroad)|Chicago and Northwestern Bridge]] across the Missouri River was authorized by an Act of Congress on June 27, 1882. Construction began in September 1882, and it was open for rail traffic in November 1883. The total cost of the bridge was $1.13 Million ($34.2 Million in 2023).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.minneapolisfed.org/about-us/monetary-policy/inflation-calculator |title=Inflation Calculator |website=[[Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis]] |access-date=June 3, 2023}}</ref> The first [[Blair Bridge (U.S. Route 30)|automobile bridge]] was opened to traffic in 1929.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://blairhistory.com/archive/blair-bridges/1929-bridge-dedication/ |title=1929 Bridge Dedication |date=July 31, 1929 |work=The Ansgar Lutheran |page=13 |via=Blair Historic Preservation Alliance |access-date=June 3, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://blairhistory.com/landmarks/blair_bridge/default.htm |title=Blair Bridges |website=Blair Historic Preservation Alliance |access-date=September 1, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041209092839/http://blairhistory.com/landmarks/blair_bridge/default.htm |archive-date=December 9, 2004 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

In 1916, Blair was awarded a $10,000 grant to build a [[Carnegie Library]]. Unfortunately, an electrical fire occurred on the night of July 23, 1973, and the historic library was deemed a total loss.

On April 26, 2024, portions of Blair were struck by [[2024 Elkhorn–Blair tornado|a large EF4 tornado]], destroying or damaging dozens of homes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Augustine |first1=Maddie |title='Didn't know which house was hers': Portions of Blair flattened by tornado Friday, recovery efforts underway |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/didnt-know-which-house-was-hers-portions-of-blair-flattened-by-tornado-friday-recovery-efforts-underway/ar-AA1nMH8w?ocid=BingNewsSerp |website=KETV |access-date=1 May 2024}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.51|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|5.49|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.02|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{Cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2012-01-25 |access-date=2012-06-24 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Blair is located in the [[Loess Hills]], surrounded on all sides by rolling hills and the Missouri river valley.

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| width       = 70%
| collapsed   = 
| open        = 
| single line = yes
| trace       = 
| location    = Blair, NE (1991-2020, coordinates:{{coord|41.5536|N|96.1406|W}})
| temperature colour =
<!-- Average high temperatures -->
| Jan high F  =31.3
| Feb high F  =36.5
| Mar high F  =50.4
| Apr high F  =61.9
| May high F  =72.7
| Jun high F  =81.8
| Jul high F  =85.6
| Aug high F  =83.4
| Sep high F  =77.2
| Oct high F  =65.4
| Nov high F  =49.3
| Dec high F  =36.2
| year high F =
<!-- Mean daily temperature -->
| Jan mean F  =22.2
| Feb mean F  =26.7
| Mar mean F  =38.8
| Apr mean F  =49.8
| May mean F  =61.4
| Jun mean F  =71.1
| Jul mean F  =75.1
| Aug mean F  =73.1
| Sep mean F  =65.4
| Oct mean F  =53.4
| Nov mean F  =38.6
| Dec mean F  =27.1
| year mean F =
<!-- Average low temperatures -->
| Jan low F  =13.0
| Feb low F  =16.9
| Mar low F  =27.2
| Apr low F  =37.7
| May low F  =50.2
| Jun low F  =60.4
| Jul low F  =64.7
| Aug low F  =62.8
| Sep low F  =53.5
| Oct low F  =41.4
| Nov low F  =28.0
| Dec low F  =18.1
| year low F =

| precipitation colour    =  green
| Jan precipitation inch  =0.76
| Feb precipitation inch  =0.94
| Mar precipitation inch  =1.86
| Apr precipitation inch  =3.21
| May precipitation inch  =4.77
| Jun precipitation inch  =4.94
| Jul precipitation inch  =3.34
| Aug precipitation inch  =3.92
| Sep precipitation inch  =3.30
| Oct precipitation inch  =2.45
| Nov precipitation inch  =1.36
| Dec precipitation inch  =1.26
| year precipitation inch =

| Jan dew point F =15.9
| Feb dew point F =19.8
| Mar dew point F =28.5
| Apr dew point F =37.4
| May dew point F =49.4
| Jun dew point F =60.5
| Jul dew point F =66.5
| Aug dew point F =65.0
| Sep dew point F =55.4
| Oct dew point F =41.2
| Nov dew point F =29.7
| Dec dew point F =20.9

|source 1 =[[NOAA]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Station: BLAIR, NE US USC00250930 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00250930&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL |access-date=October 30, 2024 |website=ncei.noaa.gov |publisher=[[NCEI|National Centers for Environmental Information]] |page=1 |format=PDF}}</ref>
|source 2 =PRISM Climate Group (precipitation-dew point)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Time Series Values for Individual Locations |url=https://prism.oregonstate.edu/explorer/ |website=prism.oregonstate.edu |publisher=Northwest Alliance for Computational Science & Engineering |no-pp=y |quote=Latitude: 41.5432   Longitude: -96.1255}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1870= 494
|1880= 1317
|1890= 2069
|1900= 2970
|1910= 2584
|1920= 2702
|1930= 2791
|1940= 3289
|1950= 3815
|1960= 4931
|1970= 6106
|1980= 6418
|1990= 6860
|2000= 7512
|2010= 7990
|2020= 7790
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |last=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|title=Census of Population and Housing|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|access-date=October 16, 2013}}</ref><br>2013 Estimate<ref name="2013 Pop Estimate">{{Cite web|title=Population Estimates|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522161634/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2013/SUB-EST2013-3.html|archive-date=2014-05-22|access-date=2014-07-17|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-18 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> counted 7,790 people, 3,157 households, and 2,015 families in Blair. The population density was {{convert|1,413.8|/mi2|/km2}}. There were 3,299 housing units at an average density of {{convert|598.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup was 92.62% (7,215) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 0.41% (32) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 0.15% (12) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.53% (41) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% (3) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.27% (99) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 4.98% (388) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 2.0% (170) of the population.

Of the 3,157 households, 36.5% had children under the age of 18; 51.2% were married couples living together; 28.5% had a female householder with no husband present. 31.8% of households consisted of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.0.

27.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.2 years. For every 100 females, the population had 91.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 83.3 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-18|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> estimates show that the median household income was $57,274 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,379) and the median family income $76,838 (+/- $17,661). Males had a median income of $51,769 (+/- $5,822) versus $29,811 (+/- $7,842) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $39,382 (+/- $3,150). Approximately, 11.6% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.7% of those under the age of 18 and 7.9% of those ages 65 or over.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 7,990 people, 3,110 households, and 2,005 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1455.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 3,351 housing units at an average density of {{convert|610.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 96.4% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.0% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.9%.<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{Cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |access-date=2012-06-24 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 3,110 households 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.5% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 35.5% were non-families. 30.3% of households were one person and 13.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age was 36 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.9% were from 25 to 44; 24.3% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 7,512 people, 2,871 households, and 1,891 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,617.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,033 housing units at an average density of {{convert|653.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 97.43% White, 0.44% African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.27% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.91% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.34% of the population.
[[File:Blair Cemetery 2007 Blair NE.jpg|thumb|Entrance to Blair Cemetery 2007]]
Of the 2,871 households 33.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 29.1% of households were one person and 14.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.02.

The age distribution was 24.9% under the age of 18, 13.8% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.2 males.

The median household income was $41,214, and the median family income was $52,114. Males had a median income of $36,839 versus $25,452 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,240. About 6.2% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.

==Media==
Blair is served by the local weekly newspaper ''[[Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Pilot-Tribune & Enterprise |url=http://www.nebpress.com/search/ |access-date=May 23, 2018 |website=Nebraska Newspaper Directory |publisher=Nebraska Press Association}}</ref>
Blair is also served by Walnut Radio Station 97.3 [[KOBM-FM]] and FM 94.7 KYTF-LP Blair Radio.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blair Radio |url=http://www.blairradio.com/ |access-date=February 20, 2020}}</ref>

==Points of interest==
* Part of the [[Nebraska Statewide Arboretum]] collection
* From 1896 to 1954, Blair was home to Trinity Seminary, a school of the [[United Evangelical Lutheran Church]]
* Blair is located along the historic [[Lincoln Highway]]
* Tower of the Four Winds at Black Elk-Neihardt Park stands as a memorial to John G. Neihardt and Black Elk, the Lakota Sioux holy man

==Education==
It is a part of the [[Blair Community Schools]] which operates [[Blair High School (Nebraska)|Blair High School]].

Blair was home to the now defunct [[Dana College]] (1884 to 2010).

==Notable people==
* [[Kent Bellows]] - artist
* [[Clete Blakeman]] - professional football official
* [[Bob Cerv]] - baseball player
* [[Dave Sullivan (wrestler)|Bill Danenhauer]] - professional wrestler
* [[Mike Hollingshead]] - photographer
* [[Megan Hunt (politician)|Megan Hunt]] - Nebraska State Senator, Legislative District 8
* [[Mick Mines]] - Nebraska state senator
* [[Otto Diller Schmidt|Otto Schmidt]] - US Navy [[Medal of Honor]] recipient
* [[Tom Seaton]] - baseball player
* [[Paul Simon (politician)|Paul Simon]] - Democratic Congressman, Senator, and presidential candidate
* [[Trevanian|Rod Whitaker]] - novelist

==See also==
{{portal|Nebraska}}
* [[List of municipalities in Nebraska]]
* [[Washington County Historical Association]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Blair, Nebraska}}
* {{official website|https://www.blairnebraska.org/}}
* [http://www.blairhistory.com/ Local History site]

{{Washington County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska county seats}}
{{Omaha-Council Bluffs metro}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Washington County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:County seats in Nebraska]]
[[Category:1869 establishments in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1869]]
[[Category:Populated places on the Missouri River]]