Editing Gothenburg, Nebraska

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Gothenburg, Nebraska
| settlement_type          = [[City]]

<!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Gothenburg Pony Express Station from SW.JPG
| imagesize                = 250px
| image_caption            = Pony Express station in Ehmen Park, Gothenburg
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Dawson_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Gothenburg_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Gothenburg, Nebraska
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
<!-- 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        = [[Dawson County, Nebraska|Dawson]]
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Will Rahjes
| 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           = 9.52
| area_land_km2            = 9.41
| area_water_km2           = 0.12
| area_total_sq_mi         = 3.68
| area_land_sq_mi          = 3.63
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04

<!-- Population -->
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est           = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_total         = 3478
| population_density_km2   = 369.75
| population_density_sq_mi = 957.60

<!-- 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             = 2559
| coordinates              = {{coord|40|55|27|N|100|09|14|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 69138
| area_code                = [[Area code 308|308]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 31-19385
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2394936<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2394936}}</ref>
| website                  = http://www.ci.gothenburg.ne.us/
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
}}

'''Gothenburg''' is a city in [[Dawson County, Nebraska|Dawson County]], [[Nebraska]], United States. It is part of the [[Lexington, Nebraska]] [[Lexington micropolitan area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]]. The population was 3,574 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].

==History==
Gothenburg, Nebraska is named after [[Gothenburg|Gothenburg, Sweden]], and is noted for its large number of residents of Swedish descent. Gothenburg, Nebraska, and Gothenburg ({{langx|sv|Göteborg}}), Sweden, are believed to be the only two cities named Gothenburg in the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.scandinavianleadership.com/brand.html/brand-library/olof-bergstrom |title=Olof Bergstrom |access-date=2011-01-27 |author=Scandinavian Leadership |archive-date=July 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716012458/http://www.scandinavianleadership.com/brand.html/brand-library/olof-bergstrom |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Gothenburg was founded in 1882 by Olof Bergstrom. After coming to America from Sweden in 1881, Bergstrom worked for a time on the [[Union Pacific Railroad]], then homesteaded in Dawson County near Gothenburg. He eventually became a land agent for the UP. Bergstrom selected the site that was to become Gothenburg and located a farmstead about a mile north. The Union Pacific Railroad laid out the original town of eight blocks parallel to the railroad tracks. Bergstrom made several return trips to Sweden to lead groups of settlers to Dawson County.<ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20061115222957/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/publicat/timeline/bergstrom_olof.htm ''Olof Bergstrom'' (Nebraska State Historical Society)]}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|3.64|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|3.59|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.05|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 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2012-06-24 |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 }}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
|location = Gothenburg, Nebraska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present) 
|single line = Y
|width = auto
| Jan record high F = 77
| Feb record high F = 79
| Mar record high F = 92
| Apr record high F = 101
| May record high F = 103
| Jun record high F = 110
| Jul record high F = 116
| Aug record high F = 109
| Sep record high F = 107
| Oct record high F = 104
| Nov record high F = 85
| Dec record high F = 76
| year record high F = 116

|Jan avg record high F = 61.6
|Feb avg record high F = 65.8
|Mar avg record high F = 77.6
|Apr avg record high F = 85.3
|May avg record high F = 90.3
|Jun avg record high F = 96.6
|Jul avg record high F = 100.0
|Aug avg record high F = 97.8
|Sep avg record high F = 93.3
|Oct avg record high F = 84.9
|Nov avg record high F = 72.7
|Dec avg record high F = 62.3
|year avg record high F = 101.4

| Jan high F = 38.8
| Feb high F = 42.2
| Mar high F = 54.1
| Apr high F = 62.9
| May high F = 72.4
| Jun high F = 82.9
| Jul high F = 87.6
| Aug high F = 85.2
| Sep high F = 78.2
| Oct high F = 64.8
| Nov high F = 51.2
| Dec high F = 40.3
| year high F = 63.4
| Jan mean F = 27.5
| Feb mean F = 30.3
| Mar mean F = 40.7
| Apr mean F = 49.7
| May mean F = 60.3
| Jun mean F = 70.7
| Jul mean F = 75.5
| Aug mean F = 73.4
| Sep mean F = 65.0
| Oct mean F = 51.7
| Nov mean F = 38.7
| Dec mean F = 28.8
| year mean F = 51.0
| Jan low F = 16.1
| Feb low F = 18.5
| Mar low F = 27.4
| Apr low F = 36.6
| May low F = 48.2
| Jun low F = 58.5
| Jul low F = 63.4
| Aug low F = 61.5
| Sep low F = 51.9
| Oct low F = 38.6
| Nov low F = 26.3
| Dec low F = 17.3
| year low F = 38.7

|Jan avg record low F = -6.7
|Feb avg record low F = -3.5
|Mar avg record low F = 6.6
|Apr avg record low F = 19.2
|May avg record low F = 31.7
|Jun avg record low F = 45.0
|Jul avg record low F = 52.2
|Aug avg record low F = 49.6
|Sep avg record low F = 35.6
|Oct avg record low F = 20.1
|Nov avg record low F = 6.8
|Dec avg record low F = -4.2
|year avg record low F = -12.3

| Jan record low F = −29
| Feb record low F = −33
| Mar record low F = −21
| Apr record low F = -3
| May record low F = 18
| Jun record low F = 33
| Jul record low F = 40
| Aug record low F = 36
| Sep record low F = 20
| Oct record low F = 2
| Nov record low F = −14
| Dec record low F = −40
| year record low F = −40
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 0.38
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.64
| Mar precipitation inch = 1.10
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.70
| May precipitation inch = 4.11
| Jun precipitation inch = 3.68
| Jul precipitation inch = 3.37
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.29
| Sep precipitation inch = 1.72
| Oct precipitation inch = 1.86
| Nov precipitation inch = 0.72
| Dec precipitation inch = 0.56
| year precipitation inch = 24.13
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 4.4
| Feb precipitation days = 4.8
| Mar precipitation days = 6.5
| Apr precipitation days = 8.5
| May precipitation days = 10.9
| Jun precipitation days = 9.3
| Jul precipitation days = 8.7
| Aug precipitation days = 8.3
| Sep precipitation days = 5.8
| Oct precipitation days = 6.4
| Nov precipitation days = 4.4
| Dec precipitation days = 3.4
| year precipitation days = 81.4

|Jan snow inch = 4.6
|Feb snow inch = 5.2
|Mar snow inch = 5.1
|Apr snow inch = 1.6
|May snow inch = 0.2
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.6
|Nov snow inch = 2.4
|Dec snow inch = 4.5
|year snow inch =

|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 2.6
|Feb snow days = 2.8
|Mar snow days = 2.3
|Apr snow days = 0.6
|May snow days = 0.1
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.2
|Nov snow days = 1.1
|Dec snow days = 2.4

|source 1 = [[NOAA]] (snow, snow days 1894&ndash;2013)<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web 
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=gid
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| accessdate = January 13, 2022}}</ref><ref name = NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00253365&format=pdf
| title = Station: Gothenburg, NE
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = January 13, 2022}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 535
|1900= 819
|1910= 1730
|1920= 1754
|1930= 2322
|1940= 2330
|1950= 2977
|1960= 3050
|1970= 3158
|1980= 3479
|1990= 3232
|2000= 3619
|2010= 3574
|2020= 3478
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|author=United States Census Bureau|author-link=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 18, 2013}}</ref><br>2012 Estimate<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012|access-date=October 18, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131019235623/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html|archive-date=October 19, 2013}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 3,574 people in 1,494 households, including 974 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|995.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,664 housing units at an average density of {{convert|463.5|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 97.3% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.8%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2012-06-24}}</ref>

Of the 1,494 households 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.8% were non-families. 31.4% of households were one person and 16.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age was 40.4 years. 27.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 22.5% were from 25 to 44; 25.2% were from 45 to 64; and 19.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 3,619 people in 1,457 households, including 989 families, in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,422.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,575 housing units at an average density of {{convert|619.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 97.37% White, 0.44% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 1.22% from other races, and 0.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.62% of the population. 45.4% were of [[German Americans|German]], 11.0% [[Swedish Americans|Swedish]], 10.9% [[Irish Americans|Irish]] and 8.9% [[American ancestry]] according to [[Census 2000]].

Of the 1,457 households 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 29.2% of households were one person and 15.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.96.

The age distribution was 27.1% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% 65 or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.7 males.

The median household income was $35,990, and the median family income was $40,729. Males had a median income of $31,589 versus $20,162 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,034. About 6.1% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Points of interest==
[[File:Gothenburg NE House.JPG|thumb|[[Ernest A. Calling House]] at 1514 Lake Avenue is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]]]
[[File:Gothenburg NE Library.JPG|thumb|Carnegie Public Library at 1104 Lake Avenue is also listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]]]]
* The [[Pony Express Trail]] runs through Gothenburg. There are two original Pony Express Stations in Gothenburg. In 1931, a station located on the Upper 96 Ranch, four miles east of [[Fort McPherson, Nebraska|Fort McPherson]] in [[Lincoln County, Nebraska|Lincoln County]], was donated to the city. The station was moved to Ehmen Park in central Gothenburg.<ref>[http://www.nps.gov/archive/poex/hrs/hrs5a.htm "Division Two: Stations Between Fort Kearney and Horseshoe Creek".]  [http://www.nps.gov/archive/poex/hrs/hrst.htm NPS: Pony Express Historic Resource Study.]  Retrieved 2010-07-18.</ref>  A second station, [[Midway Stage Station]], is still in its original location, on the Lower 96 Ranch four miles south of Gothenburg; it is open to the public on a limited basis.
* The [[Dissected Loess Plains]], an unusual geological and ecological feature that has been granted status as a [[National Natural Landmark]], is waymarked in Gothenburg.  
* Swedish Crosses Cemetery, a cemetery where [[wrought iron]] crosses mark the graves of three children of Swedish immigrants, is located two miles north and two miles west of Gothenburg. A Nebraska Historical Marker was dedicated in August 1991.
* The Gothenburg Historical Museum, organized in 1980, contains many historical artifacts from the Dawson County area.
*The Sod House Museum was established in Gothenburg in 1988. The museum stands next to a full-scale replica of an authentic [[sod house]], together with a barn, windmills and life-sized barbed wire sculptures.

==Notable people==
* [[Chris Dishman]], professional [[American football]] player, was born in Gothenburg
* [[Ben Kuroki]], the only Japanese-American to serve in the US Army Air Force in the Pacific during World War II, was born in Gothenburg
* [[Jay Novacek]], professional football player, attended Gothenburg High School
* [[Louise Odencrantz]], social scientist

==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{commons category}}

==External links==
* [http://www.ci.gothenburg.ne.us/ Gothenburg's Homepage]
* [http://www.gothenburg.k12.ne.us/ Gothenburg Public Schools] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071229103232/http://gothenburg.k12.ne.us/ |date=2007-12-29 }}
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20020204022830/http://www.gothenburgtimes.com/ ''Gothenburg Times'']}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110712124534/http://www.gothenburghistory.org/ Gothenburg Historical Museum]
* [http://www.ponyexpressstation.org Pony Express Station Museum]

{{Dawson County, Nebraska}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Dawson County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:Lexington Micropolitan Statistical Area]]
[[Category:Pony Express stations]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1882]]
[[Category:1882 establishments in Nebraska]]