Editing Dakota County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = Dakota County
| state              = Nebraska
| founded year       = March 7, 1855
| seat wl            = Dakota City
| largest city wl    = South Sioux City
| area_total_sq_mi   = 267
| area_land_sq_mi    = 264
| area_water_sq_mi   = 3.2
| area percentage    = 1.2%
| census yr          = 2020
| pop                = 21,582
| density_sq_mi      = 76.5
| time zone          = Central
| web                = www.dakotacountyne.org
| ex image           = Dakota County Courthouse (Nebraska) 3 center.JPG
| ex image cap       = Dakota County courthouse in Dakota City
| district           = 3rd
| named for          = [[Sioux|Dakota people]]
}}
'''Dakota County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 21,582.<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31043.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=October 24, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607145636/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31043.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Dakota City, Nebraska|Dakota City]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref>

Dakota County is part of the [[Sioux City metropolitan area]].

In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|Nebraska license plate system]], Dakota County is represented by the prefix 70 (it had the 70th-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922). In August 2009, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners reversed a decision to abandon this system for alphanumeric plates upon introduction of new license plates in 2011.<ref>[http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/news/article_98d2a1b0-3bc4-5bef-947d-3c5b3bb51590.html Dakota County license plates to keep No.70] [[Sioux City Journal]] August 18, 2009</ref> [[Douglas County, Nebraska|Douglas]], [[Lancaster County, Nebraska|Lancaster]], and [[Sarpy County, Nebraska|Sarpy]] Counties remain the only counties with alphanumeric plates in the state.<ref>[http://omaha.com/article/20090608/NEWS01/306089857 Plate math: 70 follows 1, 2, 59] {{webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20120712074030/http://omaha.com/article/20090608/NEWS01/306089857 |date=July 12, 2012 }} [[Omaha World-Herald]] June 8, 2009</ref>

==History==
Succeeding cultures of [[indigenous peoples]] lived along the [[Missouri River]] for millennia. By 1775, the [[Omaha people]] had migrated west of the Missouri, where they established a major settlement, ''Ton-wa-tonga,'' (the Big Village). It had some 1100 residents. From here, the Omaha controlled fur trading on the upper Missouri River with other tribes and with French-Canadian traders, often called ''[[voyageurs]]''. The Omaha were the first of the Northern Plains tribes to have adopted an equestrian culture.<ref>[http://www.neh.gov/news/humanities/2002-11/ancestralbones.html Paulette W. Campbell, "Ancestral Bones: Reinterpreting the Past of the Omaha"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060618150934/http://www.neh.gov/news/humanities/2002-11/ancestralbones.html |date=June 18, 2006 }}, ''Humanities'', November/December 2002, Vol. 23/No. 6, accessed August 26, 2011</ref>

Dakota County was formed by European-American settlers in 1855. They named it after the [[Sioux|Dakota Sioux tribe]], who were powerful in the area of Nebraska and South Dakota at the time.<ref>[http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/dakota.htm "Dakota County, Nebraska"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704061527/http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/dakota.htm|date=July 4, 2008}}, National Association of County Executives, Retrieved on March 14, 2008.</ref> By this time, the Omaha were concentrated further south in what became the state of Nebraska.

In 1885, the county went to the [[United States Supreme Court]] in ''[[Dakota County v. Glidden]]'' over a dispute with issuing bonds.

As of May 2020, the county had the second-highest per capita [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] infection rate of any American county. About one of every 14 residents has tested positive, mostly at [[Tyson Foods#Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic|Tyson's]] large  meat packing plant in Dakota City. There were 1452 cases reported as of May 11, 2020.<ref>See [https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/us/coronavirus-us-cases.html  "Coronavirus in the U.S.: Latest Map and Case Count" ''The New York Times'' May 15, 2020.]</ref> This had increased by July 4, 2020, to 1634 cases, and 38 deaths, giving Dakota County the highest per capita death rate to that date.<ref name="WaPo">{{cite news |last1=Fox |first1=Joe |last2=Mayes |first2=Brittany Renee |last3=Schaul |first3=Kevin |last4=Shapiro |first4=Leslie |last5=Berkowitz |first5=Bonnie |title=At least 127,000 people have died from coronavirus in the U.S. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-us-cases-deaths/?itid=hp_hp-top-table-main_web-gfx-death-tracker%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans |access-date=July 5, 2020 |agency=The Washington Post |work=washingtonpost.com |date=July 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200705125103/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/national/coronavirus-us-cases-deaths/?itid=hp_hp-top-table-main_web-gfx-death-tracker%3Ahomepage%2Fstory-ans |archive-date=July 5, 2020}}</ref>

==Geography==
Dakota County lies on the northeast line of the Nebraska state line. Its northeast boundary line abuts the southwest boundary lines of the states of [[South Dakota]] and [[Iowa]], across the [[Missouri River]].  The county terrain consists of rolling prairies and bottom lands.<ref>{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Dakota (county)|display=Dakota. II. A N. E. county of Nebraska}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau|US Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|267|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|264|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|3.2|sqmi}} (1.2%) is water.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|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}}</ref> It is the second-smallest county in Nebraska by area.
[[File:Dakota County, Ne.png|thumb|Dakota county and features]]

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* [[File:I-129.svg|25px]] [[Interstate 129]]
* [[File:US 20.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 20 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 20]]
* [[File:US 75.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 75 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 75]]
* [[File:US 77.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 77 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 77]]
* [[File:N-9.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 9]]
* [[File:N-12.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 12]]
* [[File:N-35.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 35]]
* [[File:N-110.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 110]]
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Union County, South Dakota]] - northeast
* [[Woodbury County, Iowa]] - east
* [[Thurston County, Nebraska|Thurston County]] - south
* [[Dixon County, Nebraska|Dixon County]] - west
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1860 = 819
| 1870 = 2040
| 1880 = 3213
| 1890 = 5386
| 1900 = 6286
| 1910 = 6564
| 1920 = 7694
| 1930 = 9505
| 1940 = 9836
| 1950 = 10401
| 1960 = 12168
| 1970 = 13137
| 1980 = 16573
| 1990 = 16742
| 2000 = 20253
| 2010 = 21006
| 2020 = 21582
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 21042
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|access-date=December 26, 2019}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150426102944/http://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|archive-date=April 26, 2015}}</ref><br>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=December 6, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ne190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref><br>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |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 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 6, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name=QF/>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/dakotacountynebraska/PST045222 |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Dakota County, Nebraska |website=census.gov |access-date=2024-04-27}}</ref> 2020-2022<ref name=QF/>
}}
As of the [[2020 United States census]] The racial makeup of the county was 43.3% non-hispanic white, 7.4% African American, 2.8% Asian and 40.8% [[hispanic]].

As of the [[2010 United States Census]], there were 21,006 people and 7,314 households residing in the county. The racial makeup of the county was 85% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 4.8% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 4.1% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 3.3% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.6% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], and 2.2% from two or more races. 39.7% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. [[Non-Hispanic Whites]] were 48.4% of the population.

As of the [[2000 United States Census]], there were 20,253 people, 7,095 households, and 5,087 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|77|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,528 housing units at an average density of {{convert|28|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the county was 78.84% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.62% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.86% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 3.08% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.06% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 12.91% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.62% from two or more races. 22.62% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 28.0% were of [[germans|German]] and 10.5% [[irish people|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 7,095 households, out of which 39.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 22.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.30.

The county population contained 30.50% under the age of 18, 10.10% from 18 to 24, 29.40% from 25 to 44, 20.10% from 45 to 64, and 9.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,834, and the median income for a family was $43,702. Males had a median income of $28,341 versus $22,035 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,125. About 9.20% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Dakota City, Nebraska|Dakota City]] (county seat)
* [[South Sioux City, Nebraska|South Sioux City]]

===Villages===
* [[Emerson, Nebraska|Emerson]] (partial)
* [[Homer, Nebraska|Homer]]
* [[Hubbard, Nebraska|Hubbard]]
* [[Jackson, Nebraska|Jackson]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Goodwin, Nebraska|Goodwin]]
* [[Nacora, Nebraska|Nacora]]
* [[Willis, Nebraska|Willis]]

==Politics==
Dakota County voters have leaned Republican for several decades. From 1952, the county has selected the Republican Party candidate in over 80% of national elections, but the significant Hispanic population has led to the margins of victory not being as wide as those in most rural counties in the state.
{{PresHead|place=Dakota County, Nebraska|whig=no|source1=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|3,934|2,109|95|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,926|2,744|147|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|3,616|2,314|349|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|3,094|2,922|120|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|3,292|2,994|110|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|3,526|3,027|62|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|3,119|2,695|247|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|2,592|2,632|761|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,793|2,335|1,336|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|2,744|2,942|11|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,467|2,510|25|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,165|1,930|393|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|2,631|2,292|72|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|2,879|1,748|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,383|1,541|286|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,906|2,654|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,977|2,327|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|2,516|2,224|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,643|1,963|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,379|2,372|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|1,703|1,989|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,140|2,422|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,264|2,741|277|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|863|3,044|30|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|1,709|1,754|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,235|964|937|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,525|873|39|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|612|1,032|35|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|408|612|410|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|729|716|44|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|855|399|92|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|692|777|24|Nebraska}}

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

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

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Dakota County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Union County, South Dakota]]
|East      = [[Woodbury County, Iowa]]
|South     = [[Thurston County, Nebraska|Thurston County]]
|West      = [[Dixon County, Nebraska|Dixon County]]
}}

{{Dakota County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|42.39|-96.56|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Dakota County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Sioux City metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties on the Missouri River]]
[[Category:1855 establishments in Nebraska Territory]]