Editing McPherson County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = McPherson County
| state              = Nebraska
| founded            = 1890
| seat wl            = Tryon
| largest city       = Tryon
| city type          = community
| area_total_sq_mi   = 860
| area_land_sq_mi    = 859
| area_water_sq_mi   = 1.0
| area percentage    = 0.1%
| pop                = 399
| density_sq_mi      = 0.46
| time zone          = Central
| web                = http://www.mcphersoncounty.ne.gov/
| ex image           = McPherson County, Nebraska courthouse from E.JPG
| ex image cap       = McPherson County Courthouse in Tryon
| district           = 3rd
| named for          = [[James B. McPherson]]
|census yr=2020}}

'''McPherson County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 Census]], the population was 399,<ref>{{Cite web|publisher=United States Census Bureau|title=2020 Population and Housing State Data|url=https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html|access-date=August 15, 2021|website=The United States Census Bureau|language=EN-US}}</ref> making it the least populous county in the state of Nebraska and the [[County statistics of the United States|fifth-least populous county in the United States]]. Its [[county seat]] is [[Tryon, Nebraska|Tryon]].<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}}</ref> The county was formed in 1890 from [[Logan County, Nebraska|Logan County]]; it was named for [[American Civil War]] General [[James B. McPherson]].<ref>{{cite book|last=Gannett|first=Henry|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA195|year=1905|publisher=Government Printing Office|page=195}}</ref>

In 1913, a portion of McPherson County was partitioned off to create [[Arthur County, Nebraska|Arthur County]], giving McPherson County its present boundaries.

McPherson County is part of the [[North Platte, Nebraska|North Platte]], NE [[North Platte Micropolitan Statistical Area|Micropolitan Statistical Area]].

In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|Nebraska license plate system]], McPherson County is represented by the prefix 90 (it ranked 90th of 93 counties in the number of vehicles registered when the license plate system was established in 1922).

==Geography==
The terrain of McPherson County consists of low rolling hills sloping to the south-southeast. A small portion of the area is under [[center pivot irrigation]].<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/McPherson+County,+NE/@41.5093969,-101.1495078,30077m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x8777b95a7ac37591:0x3f78a622439912a4!8m2!3d41.6222686!4d-101.0711758 ''McPherson County NE''  Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|860|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|859|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.0|sqmi}} (0.1%) 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 9, 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>

Most of Nebraska's 93 counties (the eastern 2/3, including McPherson County) observe [[Central Time Zone|Central Time]]; the western counties observe [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain Time]]. McPherson County is the westernmost of the Nebraska counties to observe Central Time.<ref>[https://www.google.com/search?q=mountain+time+line+map&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=RUjCMBjeIiO8hM%253A%252C3aqjtMmxdlTA-M%252C_&usg=AI4_-kQk1pvtETGPO2WW6rWODGq6hR_tvQ&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwi1g4GwkYPgAhUprVQKHeIlAt4Q9QEwDnoECAMQCA#imgrc=TpMe2DRg-3OeWM: Map of Time Zone Line through Nebraska (accessed 22 January 2019)]</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Hooker County, Nebraska|Hooker County]] - north
* [[Thomas County, Nebraska|Thomas County]] - northeast
* [[Logan County, Nebraska|Logan County]] - east
* [[Lincoln County, Nebraska|Lincoln County]] - southeast
* [[Keith County, Nebraska|Keith County]] - southwest (boundary of [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain Time]])
* [[Arthur County, Nebraska|Arthur County]] - west (boundary of Mountain Time)
{{div col end}}

===Major highways===
* [[File:N-92.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 92]]
* [[File:N-97.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 97]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1890= 401
|1900= 517
|1910= 2470
|1920= 1692
|1930= 1358
|1940= 1175
|1950= 825
|1960= 735
|1970= 623
|1980= 593
|1990= 546
|2000= 533
|2010= 539
|2020=399
|estyear=
|estimate=
|estref=
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=December 9, 2014}}</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 9, 2014}}</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 9, 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 9, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31117.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607151255/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31117.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>
2020<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=August 15, 2021}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2000 United States Census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=May 14, 2011|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 533 people, 202 households, and 157 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|0.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 283 housing units at an average density of {{convert|0.3|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 97.94% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.38% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 1.69% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]]. 1.50% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 44.4% were of [[German people|German]], 14.4% [[United States|American]], 9.2% [[Irish people|Irish]], 8.7% [[swedish people|Swedish]] and 6.3% [[English people|English]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].

There were 202 households, out of which 34.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 73.80% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 3.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.80% were non-families. 19.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.01.

The county population contained 27.60% under the age of 18, 5.30% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 18.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,750, and the median income for a family was $31,250. Males had a median income of $25,192 versus $13,393 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $13,055. 16.20% of the population and 14.00% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 21.70% are under the age of 18 and 17.30% are 65 or older.

==Communities==

=== Census-designated place ===
* [[Tryon, Nebraska|Tryon]] (county seat)

=== Unincorporated community ===
* [[Ringgold, Nebraska|Ringgold]]

===Former communities===
* [[Flats, Nebraska|Flats]]<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/McPherson+County,+NE/@41.6557491,-101.3460627,12z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8777b95a7ac37591:0x3f78a622439912a4!8m2!3d41.6222686!4d-101.0711758 ''Flats NE''  Google Maps (accessed 23 January 2019)]</ref>

==Politics==
McPherson County voters have been strongly Republican since the beginning. In only two national elections since 1900 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024). In 2016, Democrat [[Hillary Clinton]] had the worst showing for a major party Presidential candidate in the county's history, tallying just 14 votes for only 4.9%. She had accumulated fewer votes than any third-party or write-in votes, making it the only county in Nebraska for this to happen. In 2024, Democrat [[Kamala Harris]] performed even worse than Clinton, receiving only 12 votes or 4.2%.
{{PresHead|place=McPherson County, Nebraska|whig=no|source1=<ref>[http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS Election Results]</ref>|source2=<ref>The leading "other" candidate, [[Progressive Party (United States, 1924–34)|Progressive]] [[Robert M. La Follette|Bob La Follette]], received 207 votes, while [[Prohibition Party|Prohibition]] candidate [[Herman P. Faris]] received 12 votes.</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|267|12|5|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|275|17|10|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|257|14|16|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|237|41|13|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|240|45|8|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|259|49|4|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|244|48|9|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|233|50|39|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|217|49|63|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|229|60|3|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|295|57|4|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|285|49|9|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|221|104|8|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|247|42|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|236|40|34|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|219|104|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|303|67|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|281|98|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|355|53|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|209|98|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|310|118|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|414|164|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|326|250|8|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|291|367|11|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|419|69|9|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|213|96|219|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|229|75|23|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|106|184|28|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|114|180|283|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|234|165|29|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|108|12|14|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|85|54|3|Nebraska}}

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

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = McPherson County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Hooker County, Nebraska|Hooker County]]
|Northeast = [[Thomas County, Nebraska|Thomas County]]
|East      = [[Logan County, Nebraska|Logan County]]
|Southeast = [[Lincoln County, Nebraska|Lincoln County]]
|South     = [[Lincoln County, Nebraska|Lincoln County]]
|Southwest = [[Keith County, Nebraska|Keith County]]
|West      = [[Arthur County, Nebraska|Arthur County]]
|Northwest = [[Grant County, Nebraska|Grant County]]
}}

{{McPherson County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|41.57|-101.06|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Mcpherson County, Nebraska}}
[[Category:McPherson County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties]]
[[Category:North Platte Micropolitan Statistical Area]]
[[Category:1890 establishments in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1890]]