Editing Morrill County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Morrill, Nebraska}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county             = Morrill County
| state              = Nebraska
| founded            = 1908
| seat wl            = Bridgeport
| largest city       = Bridgeport
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1430
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1424
| area_water_sq_mi   = 6.0
| area percentage    = 0.4%
| census yr          = 2020
| pop                = 4555
| density_sq_mi      = auto
| web                = http://www.morrillcountyne.gov/
| ex image           = Morrill County, Nebraska courthouse from E 1.JPG
| ex image cap       = [[Morrill County Courthouse]] in Bridgeport
| district           = 3rd
| time zone          = Mountain
| named for          = [[Charles Henry Morrill]]
}}

'''Morrill County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 4,555.<ref name="Morrill County, Nebraska">{{cite web|title=Morrill County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Morrill_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31123|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 19, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Bridgeport, Nebraska|Bridgeport]].<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>

In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|Nebraska license plate system]], Morrill County is represented by the prefix 64 (it had the 64th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

==History==
The [[Battle of Mud Springs]] and the [[Battle of Rush Creek]] between the US Army and [[Cheyenne]], [[Lakota people|Lakota]] [[Sioux]], and [[Arapaho]] occurred in 1865 within what would become Morrill County.

On November 3, 1908, voters in [[Cheyenne County, Nebraska|Cheyenne County]] passed a measure calling for the division of that county.<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 10, 1908|title=The North Platte semi-weekly tribune., November 10, 1908 (retrieved from Archive)|page=5|work=The North Platte semi-weekly tribune., November 10, 1908, Image 5|editor-last=Bare|editor-first=Ira|url=https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/2010270504/1908-11-10/ed-1/seq-5.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211213034002/https://nebnewspapers.unl.edu/lccn/2010270504/1908-11-10/ed-1/seq-5.pdf |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live|access-date=December 12, 2021|quote=County division carried in Cheyenne county and the new county which takes the north half of the former territory of Cheyenne county, will be known as Morrill county}}</ref> Accordingly, the Nebraska State Legislature passed an act providing for the division of Cheyenne County, the line of division running east–west, south of the town of Bridgeport. The northern portion so divided was to be called Morrill County. In December of that year, another election determined Bridgeport to be the seat of the new county, and the new county's officials were determined.<ref>[http://genealogytrails.com/neb/morrill/countyhistory1908.htm ''County History''] (accessed January 25, 2019)</ref> The county was named for [[Charles Henry Morrill]], a president of the Lincoln Land Company.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/morrill.htm |title=Morrill County|access-date=March 25, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716102433/http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/morrill.htm|archive-date=July 16, 2011}} Retrieved on March 15, 2008.</ref>

==Geography==
The terrain of Morrill County consists of low rolling hills. A portion of the area is used for agriculture, including some [[center pivot irrigation]]. The [[North Platte River]] flows east-southeastward through the south-central part of the county, passing Bridgeport before exiting the county some {{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on}} above the southeast county corner.<ref name=MC>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Morrill+County,+NE/@41.5640755,-103.0082464,11.25z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x87707a58d515a2a9:0xd002ca1795bf2fd0!8m2!3d41.6552418!4d-102.989615 ''Morrill County NE''  Google Maps (accessed 25 January 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|1430|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1424|sqmi}} are land and {{convert|6.0|sqmi}} (0.4%) are covered by water.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_31.txt|publisher=[[United States 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>

[[Chimney Rock National Historic Site|Chimney Rock]], a rock formation {{convert|325|ft}} tall with a {{convert|120|ft|adj=on}} spire, lies about {{convert|4|mi|km|abbr=on}} south of Bayard, in western Morrill County. The rock was a prominent landmark on the [[Oregon Trail]], and has become a symbol of Nebraska, appearing on the state's license plates and on its [[50 State Quarters|commemorative quarter]].<ref>Bauer, Scott. [https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/15/AR2006071501121_pf.html "Nebraska's Popular Chimney Rock Eroding".]  ''Washington Post''. July 15, 2006. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.starherald.com/news/local_news_briefs/chimney-rock-site-of-sunday-afternoon-at-the-rock-series/article_94ecb435-cf33-5773-abd8-76d26b0fb3c6.html "Chimney Rock site of Sunday Afternoon at the Rock series".]  ''Scottsbluff Star-Herald''. February 7, 2017. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref><ref>[http://www.cityofbayard.net/2186/Chimney-Rock-National-Historic-Site "Chimney Rock National Historic Site".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209100229/http://www.cityofbayard.net/2186/Chimney-Rock-National-Historic-Site |date=December 9, 2017 }} [http://www.cityofbayard.net/ City of Bayard.]  Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref>

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Box Butte County, Nebraska|Box Butte County]] – north
* [[Sheridan County, Nebraska|Sheridan County]] – northeast
* [[Garden County, Nebraska|Garden County]] – east
* [[Cheyenne County, Nebraska|Cheyenne County]] – south
* [[Banner County, Nebraska|Banner County]] – southwest
* [[Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska|Scotts Bluff County]] – northwest
{{div col end}}

===Main highways===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* {{Jct|state=NE|US|385}} - runs north and south through the county
* {{Jct|state=NE|US|26}} – runs northwest–southeast along the north side of the North Platte River
*  [[File:N-92.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 92]]– runs southeast from the western border to its intersection with US 26 near Broadwater
* [[File:N-88.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 88]] - runs east from a point north of the southwest corner of the county; turns north to its intersection with US 385 in Bridgeport<ref name=MC/>
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1910 = 4584
| 1920 = 9151
| 1930 = 9950
| 1940 = 9436
| 1950 = 8263
| 1960 = 7057
| 1970 = 5813
| 1980 = 6085
| 1990 = 5423
| 2000 = 5440
| 2010 = 5042
| 2020 = 4555
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 4527
| 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<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/morrillcountynebraska/PST045222}}</ref> 2020<ref name="Morrill County, Nebraska">{{cite web|title=Morrill County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Morrill_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31123|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 19, 2023}}</ref> 2022<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31123.html|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=September 21, 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607151343/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31123.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2000 United States Census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>  5,440 people, 2,138 households, and 1,494 families resided in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. The2,460 housing units averaged {{convert|2|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The [[Race (United States Census)|racial makeup]] of the county was 93.68% White, 0.07% African American, 0.72% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 4.12% from other races, and 1.19% from two or more races. About 10.09% of the population was Hispanic or Latino of any race. The people were about 40.5% were of 40.5% [[Germans|German]], 9.2% [[English people|English]], 7.3% [[Irish people|Irish]], and 6.7% [[United States|American]] ancestry.

Of the 2,138 households, 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were not families. About 26.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.03.

The county population was distributed as 27.20% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 24.40% from 25 to 44, 24.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,235, and for a family was $36,673. Males had a median income of $27,107 versus $19,271 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,725. About 10.00% of families and 14.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.00% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==

=== Cities ===

* [[Bayard, Nebraska|Bayard]]
* [[Bridgeport, Nebraska|Bridgeport]]

=== Village ===

* [[Broadwater, Nebraska|Broadwater]]

=== Unincorporated communities ===

* [[Angora, Nebraska|Angora]]
* [[Atkins, Nebraska|Atkins]]
* [[Bonner, Nebraska|Bonner]]
* [[Lynn, Nebraska|Lynn]]
* [[Moomaw Corner, Nebraska?action=edit&redlink=1|Moomaw Corner]]
* [[Northport, Nebraska|Northport]]
* [[Redington, Nebraska|Redington]]
* [[Vance, Nebraska|Vance]]

===Former Communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* [[Alden, Nebraska|Alden]]
* [[Chimney Rock, Nebraska|Chimney Rock]]
* [[Finley, Nebraska|Finley]]
* [[Goodstreak, Nebraska|Goodstreak]]
* [[Hickory, Nebraska|Hickory]]
* [[Kelly, Nebraska|Kelly]]
* [[Kuhn, Nebraska|Kuhn]]
* [[Riley, Nebraska|Riley]]
* [[Simla, Nebraska|Simla]]
{{div col end}}

==Law enforcement==
{{Infobox law enforcement agency
| agencyname      = Morrill County Sheriff's Office
| abbreviation    = MCSO
| patch           = MorrillCoNE.jpg
| patchcaption    = Patch of Morrill County Sheriff's Office
| logo            =
| logocaption     =
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| flag            =
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| mottotranslated =
| formed          =
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| country         = United States
| divtype         = State
| divname         = Nebraska
| subdivtype      = County (United States)
| subdivname      = Morrill County
| map             =
| mapcaption      =
| sizearea        =
| sizepopulation  =
| legaljuris      = Morrill County, Nebraska
| governingbody   =
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| headquarters    = 6th & L St., Bridgeport, Nebraska 69336
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| minister4name   =
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| minister5name   =
| minister5pfo    =
| chief1name      = Milo Cardenas (since 2010)
| chief1position  = [[Sheriff]]
| parentagency    =
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| website         = {{Official website|http://www.morrillcountyne.gov/sheriff.html}}
| footnotes       =
}} 
In 2008 the sheriff's office employed four officers and five civilians.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2008/data/table_80_ne.html |title=Nebraska: Full-time Law Enforcement Employees by State by Metropolitan and Nonmetropolitan Counties, 2008 |date=September 2009 |accessdate=September 1, 2010 |publisher=FBI |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100708001823/http://www.fbi.gov/ucr/cius2008/data/table_80_ne.html |archivedate=July 8, 2010 }}</ref>

The [[Humane Society of the United States]] awarded Sheriff Johyn D. Edens the 2009 Humane Law Enforcement Award for his investigation of mistreatment of 200 mustangs on an animal sanctuary.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hsus.org/press_and_publications/press_releases/hsus_humane_law_enforcement_awards_nebraska_092809.html|title=Morrill County, Neb., Sheriff Honored by National Animal Protection Organization|publisher=Humane Society of the United States|date=September 28, 2009|accessdate=August 31, 2010}}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The owner of the Three Strikes Ranch, Jason Meduna, was sentenced to two consecutive 20-60 month terms, by Judge Leo Dobrovolny at the Morrill County Courthouse.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Maunette |last=Loeks |title=Morrill County rancher faces more animal neglect charges in horse case |url=https://starherald.com/news/local/morrill-county-rancher-faces-more-animal-neglect-charges-in-horse-case/article_1535f691-34ad-566f-b13d-23fe755fd270.html |access-date=April 10, 2022 |website=starherald.com |language=en|date=May 19, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.kotanow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12033364|orig-year=February 4, 2010|date=March 3, 2010|title=Former ranch owner sentenced to prison|work=Kota Now|accessdate=August 31, 2010|archive-date=February 27, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120227072236/http://www.kotanow.com/Global/story.asp?S=12033364|url-status=dead}}</ref>

In the May 13, 2010, Republican primary, Milo Cardenas and Travis Petersen, polled 379 votes each (there being no Democratic candidate), and the decision was due to be made between then by a game of chance such as a coin flip, subject only to a recount.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://journalstar.com/news/state-and-regional/govt-and-politics/article_c5b214dc-5eac-11df-8e8e-001cc4c002e0.html|title=Coin flip could decide Morrill County sheriff's race.|work= Journal Star|date=May 13, 2010|accessdate=August 31, 2010}}</ref> After two recounts, Morrill County Clerk, Kathy Brandt offered the candidates the choice to "either cut a card or have their names pulled out of a hat", cards were selected and the election board shuffled the deck seven times before spreading the cards on the table for a simultaneous draw. Brandt said "Cardenas and Petersen both drew at the same time. Milo, drew a nine of hearts and Petersen drew a six of spades."<ref>{{Cite journal|url=http://www.starherald.com/articles/2010/05/19/news/local_news/doc4bf36a6d3f5c3299506065.txt|title=Sheriff candidate draws winning card|author =Chabella Guzman|date=May 19, 2010|journal=Star Herald |accessdate=August 31, 2010}}</ref> Thus Cardenas went forward to the final ballot, scheduled for November 2010,<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.nesheriffsassoc.org/primaryelect.php |title=Nebraska Sheriffs' Association |access-date=April 10, 2022 |archive-date=January 31, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160131034953/http://www.nesheriffsassoc.org/primaryelect.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> with no other registered candidates.

==Politics and government==
Morrill County is in Nebraska's [[Nebraska's 3rd congressional district]].<ref>[https://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/congress_map.php "Congress—Maps Clearinghouse".] [https://nebraskalegislature.gov/ Nebraska Legislature.]  Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> As of 2017, it was represented in the [[United States House of Representatives|US House of Representatives]] by [[Adrian Smith (politician)|Adrian Smith]], a member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]].<ref>[https://www.gop.gov/member/adrian-smith/ "Adrian Smith".] [https://www.gop.gov/ House Republicans.] Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> As of 2017, the county was part of the state's 47th legislative district,<ref>[https://nebraskalegislature.gov/about/leg_map.php "Legislature—Maps Clearinghouse.] [https://nebraskalegislature.gov/ Nebraska Legislature.] Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref> and was represented in the [[Nebraska Legislature]] by [[Steve Erdman]]; Erdman is a member of the Republican Party, though the legislature is officially nonpartisan.<ref>[https://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/bluebook/271-412.pdf ''2016–17 Nebraska Blue Book''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708184235/http://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/bluebook/271-412.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170708184235/http://nebraskalegislature.gov/pdf/bluebook/271-412.pdf |archive-date=July 8, 2017 |url-status=live |date=July 8, 2017 }}, p. 314 for Erdman, p. 276 for nonpartisan Legislature. Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref>

As of late 2016, 3314 registered voters were in Morrill County. Of these, 2175, or 65.6%, were Republicans; 591, or 17.8%, were [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]; 522, or 15.8%, registered no political party; and 26, or 0.8%, were [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarians]].<ref>[http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/2016/pdf/VR-stats.pdf "Count of Registrants Eligible to Vote".] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180128000331/http://www.sos.ne.gov/elec/2016/pdf/VR-stats.pdf |date=January 28, 2018 }}  [http://www.sos.ne.gov/dyindex.html Nebraska Secretary of State.]  Retrieved December 8, 2017.</ref>

Morrill County voters are reliably Republican in national politics. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Morrill 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|2,026|366|38|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|2,113|386|59|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|1,802|284|123|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,681|455|54|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,725|557|69|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|1,755|495|43|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,597|460|81|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|1,296|620|286|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|1,185|577|765|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,556|754|21|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,888|464|14|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|1,893|512|135|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|1,351|971|57|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,740|520|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,516|480|285|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,649|1,228|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,020|1,199|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|1,810|1,029|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,485|897|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|1,478|1,320|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|1,998|1,108|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|2,214|1,471|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,354|1,999|51|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,406|2,008|62|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,318|765|38|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|1,153|734|632|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|1,366|667|52|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|470|888|70|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1912|Progressive|227|391|500|Nebraska}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Morrill County, Nebraska]]
* [[Morrill County Sheriff's Office (Nebraska)]]

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

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Morrill County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Box Butte County, Nebraska|Box Butte County]]
|Northeast = [[Sheridan County, Nebraska|Sheridan County]]
|East      = [[Garden County, Nebraska|Garden County]]
|South     = [[Cheyenne County, Nebraska|Cheyenne County]]
|Southwest = [[Banner County, Nebraska|Banner County]]
|Northwest = [[Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska|Scotts Bluff County]]
}}

{{Morrill County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}

{{coord|41.69|-103.01|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Morrill County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1908]]
[[Category:1908 establishments in Nebraska]]