Editing Ogallala, Nebraska

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

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Front Street, Ogallala, Nebraska, 2007.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Front Street tourist attraction
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Keith_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Ogallala_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Ogallala, 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        = [[Keith County, Nebraska|Keith]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = City Council/City Manager
|leader_title             = Mayor
|leader_name              = Deb Schilz
|leader_title1            = City Manager
|leader_name1             = Bruce Smith
|established_title        = Founded
|established_date         = 1868

<!-- 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           = 13.00
|area_land_km2            = 12.84
|area_water_km2           = 0.16
|area_total_sq_mi         = 5.02
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.96
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.06

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 4878
|population_density_km2   = 379.96
|population_density_sq_mi = 984.06

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain (MST)]]
|utc_offset               = -7
|timezone_DST             = MDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -6
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 3232
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|07|46|N|101|43|15|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 69153
|area_code                = [[Area code 308|308]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 31-35980
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2395305<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395305}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.ogallala-ne.gov/ ogallala-ne.gov]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
}}

'''Ogallala''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Keith County, Nebraska]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=2011-06-07 |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> The population was 4,878 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], up from 4,737 at the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. In the days of the [[Nebraska Territory]], the city was a stop on the [[Pony Express]] and later along the [[First transcontinental railroad (North America)|transcontinental railroad]]. The [[Ogallala Formation]] that carries the [[Ogallala Aquifer]] was named after the city.

==History==
Ogallala first was founded a terminus for [[Cattle drives in the United States|cattle drives]] that traveled from [[Texas]] to the [[Union Pacific Railroad|Union Pacific]] railhead located there.  These trails are known as the [[Great Western Cattle Trail|Western or Great Western trails]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/ayw02|last= Skaggs| first= Jimmy M. |work=Handbook of Texas Online  |title=WESTERN TRAIL |publisher=exas State Historical Association |access-date=2010-07-20 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.greatwesterncattletrail.com/along_gwct_a/along_gwct.html |last=Busby |first=Myra |title=Along The Great Western Cattle Trail |publisher=www.greatwesterncattletrail.com |access-date=2010-07-20 |archive-date=October 7, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141007145752/http://www.greatwesterncattletrail.com/along_gwct_a/along_gwct.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The Union Pacific Railroad reached Ogallala on May 24, 1867.<ref>{{cite web 
|url=http://www.uprr.com/aboutup/maps/graphics/goldspik.gif|work= Historical Maps of the Union Pacific |title=Union Pacific End of Track Dateline 1865-1869 |format= GIF |publisher= Union Pacific Railroad Company|access-date=2010-07-20 }}</ref>  The city itself was not laid out until 1875 and not incorporated until 1884<ref>{{Citation| contribution = Ogallala, Nebraska  | year = 1952  | title = Columbia Lippincott Gazetteer of the world: Lippincott's pronouncing gazetteer  | editor-last = Seltzer  | editor-first = Leon| page = 1378  | place = New York  | publisher = Columbia University Press }}</ref>  The town's name comes from the [[Oglala Sioux]] tribe.<ref>{{cite web|title=history of ogallala...|url=http://www.ogallala-ne.gov/Community/COM_History.htm|work=Official Website, City of Ogallala|publisher=City of Ogallala|access-date=19 August 2012|archive-date=May 17, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120517022021/http://www.ogallala-ne.gov/Community/COM_History.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|5.02|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.96|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.06|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/20120112090031/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=January 12, 2012 }}</ref>  Ogallala is in the US [[Mountain Time Zone]] (UTC−7/-6).

Ogallala is close to [[Lake McConaughy]], a large man-made lake and a state recreation area with sandy beaches, boating and swimming. The [[South Platte River]] runs through Ogallala.

===Climate===
{{climate chart
| Ogallala, Nebraska
|12|38|0.4
|16|43|0.4
|24|51|1.1
|34|63|2.2
|45|73|3.2
|55|83|3.0
|61|91|2.7
|59|89|2.2
|48|79|1.5
|35|67|1.0
|23|51|0.6
|15|41|0.5
|units = imperial
|float = right
|clear = both}}
Ogallala has a dry [[humid subtropical climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Cfa''), bordering on [[Semi-arid climate#Cold semi-arid climates|cold semi-arid]] and a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) with an annual average precipitation of {{convert|20.40|in|mm|abbr=on}}. Winters are cold, while summers are hot and often stormy. Precipitation is greatest in the late spring and summer, with winter being the driest part of the year.

{{Weather box
| location = Ogallala, Nebraska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
| single line = Y
| width = auto
| Jan record high F = 74
| Feb record high F = 78
| Mar record high F = 92
| Apr record high F = 95
| May record high F = 100
| Jun record high F = 108
| Jul record high F = 115
| Aug record high F = 109
| Sep record high F = 109
| Oct record high F = 95
| Nov record high F = 82
| Dec record high F = 76
| year record high F = 115

|Jan avg record high F = 61.2
|Feb avg record high F = 66.7
|Mar avg record high F = 77.7
|Apr avg record high F = 85.0
|May avg record high F = 92.7
|Jun avg record high F = 98.6
|Jul avg record high F = 101.9
|Aug avg record high F = 99.2
|Sep avg record high F = 96.0
|Oct avg record high F = 87.0
|Nov avg record high F = 73.4
|Dec avg record high F = 63.0
|year avg record high F = 102.8

| Jan high F = 39.7
| Feb high F = 42.8
| Mar high F = 53.4
| Apr high F = 61.9
| May high F = 71.8
| Jun high F = 83.4
| Jul high F = 89.6
| Aug high F = 87.4
| Sep high F = 79.2
| Oct high F = 65.0
| Nov high F = 51.4
| Dec high F = 41.1
| year high F = 63.9
| Jan mean F = 27.5
| Feb mean F = 30.3
| Mar mean F = 39.6
| Apr mean F = 48.2
| May mean F = 58.7
| Jun mean F = 70.0
| Jul mean F = 76.2
| Aug mean F = 74.1
| Sep mean F = 64.8
| Oct mean F = 50.7
| Nov mean F = 38.1
| Dec mean F = 28.8
| year mean F = 50.6
| Jan low F = 15.4
| Feb low F = 17.7
| Mar low F = 25.7
| Apr low F = 34.5
| May low F = 45.6
| Jun low F = 56.6
| Jul low F = 62.9
| Aug low F = 60.8
| Sep low F = 50.4
| Oct low F = 36.4
| Nov low F = 24.7
| Dec low F = 16.4
| year low F = 37.3

|Jan avg record low F = -5.4
|Feb avg record low F = -1.9
|Mar avg record low F = 8.2
|Apr avg record low F = 20.6
|May avg record low F = 30.8
|Jun avg record low F = 45.2
|Jul avg record low F = 53.6
|Aug avg record low F = 50.6
|Sep avg record low F = 36.5
|Oct avg record low F = 19.2
|Nov avg record low F = 7.6
|Dec avg record low F = -2.1
|year avg record low F = -11.2

| Jan record low F = −29
| Feb record low F = −26
| Mar record low F = −23
| Apr record low F = -2
| May record low F = 19
| Jun record low F = 32
| Jul record low F = 38
| Aug record low F = 37
| Sep record low F = 15
| Oct record low F = −2
| Nov record low F = −10
| Dec record low F = −36
| year record low F = −36
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 0.51
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.58
| Mar precipitation inch = 1.12
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.23
| May precipitation inch = 3.22
| Jun precipitation inch = 3.11
| Jul precipitation inch = 2.90
| Aug precipitation inch = 2.09
| Sep precipitation inch = 1.53
| Oct precipitation inch = 1.26
| Nov precipitation inch = 0.59
| Dec precipitation inch = 0.40
| year precipitation inch = 19.54
| Jan snow inch = 4.6
| Feb snow inch = 5.6
| Mar snow inch = 3.7
| Apr snow inch = 3.2
| 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 = 2.6
| Dec snow inch = 4.1
| year snow inch = 24.6
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 2.8
| Feb precipitation days = 4.0
| Mar precipitation days = 5.4
| Apr precipitation days = 7.8
| May precipitation days = 10.5
| Jun precipitation days = 9.5
| Jul precipitation days = 8.3
| Aug precipitation days = 7.0
| Sep precipitation days = 5.3
| Oct precipitation days = 5.6
| Nov precipitation days = 3.5
| Dec precipitation days = 2.8
| year precipitation days = 72.5
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 2.9
| Feb snow days = 4.0
| Mar snow days = 2.5
| Apr snow days = 1.7
| 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 = 0.6
| Nov snow days = 1.7
| Dec snow days = 2.6
| year snow days = 16.1
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA>
{{cite web 
| url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/Climate?wfo=lbf
| title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| accessdate = November 29, 2021}}</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=USC00256200&format=pdf
| title = Station: Ogallala, NE
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = November 29, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 114
|1890= 494
|1900= 355
|1910= 643
|1920= 1062
|1930= 1631
|1940= 3159
|1950= 3456
|1960= 4250
|1970= 4976
|1980= 5638
|1990= 5095
|2000= 4930
|2010= 4737
|2020= 4878
|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/20130602094321/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html|archive-date=June 2, 2013}}</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 4,878 people, 2,300 households, and 1,082 families in Ogallala. The population density was 983.5 per square mile (379.9/km{{sup|2}}). There were 2,429 housing units at an average density of 489.7 per square mile (189.2/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 88.42% (4,313) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 0.37% (18) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 0.47% (23) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.55% (27) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% (5) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 3.87% (189) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 6.21% (303) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 9.0% (436) of the population.

Of the 2,300 households, 22.5% had children under the age of 18; 36.2% were married couples living together; 31.2% had a female householder with no husband present. 44.3% of households consisted of individuals and 20.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.9 and the average family size was 2.7.

19.6% of the population was under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 22.1% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43.5 years. For every 100 females, the population had 94.4 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 94.3 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 $45,508 (with a margin of error of +/- $8,969) and the median family income $61,422 (+/- $6,719). Males had a median income of $37,220 (+/- $7,286) versus $26,419 (+/- $2,208) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $31,090 (+/- $3,246). Approximately, 12.1% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.5% of those under the age of 18 and 23.2% of those ages 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<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 2010, there were 4,737 people, 2,100 households, and 1,298 families living in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|955.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,397 housing units at an average density of {{convert|483.3|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.6% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 2.2% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 7.5% of the population.

There were 2,100 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.2% were non-families. 34.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the city was 43.7 years. 23.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.4% were from 25 to 44; 28.3% were from 45 to 64; and 20.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]] of 2000, there were 4,930 people, 2,052 households, and 1,339 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,472.4|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,314 housing units at an average density of {{convert|691.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.45% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.02% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.87% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.22% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.68% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.75% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 4.79% of the population.

There were 2,052 households, out of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.7% were non-families. 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.5% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 18.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.0 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $32,141, and the median income for a family was $39,688. Males had a median income of $27,436 versus $18,292 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,674. About 5.0% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 9.3% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Arts and culture==
===Point of interest===
The Ogallala post office contains an oil-on-canvas mural, titled ''Long Horns'', painted in 1938 by [[Frank Mechau]]. Murals were produced from 1934 to 1943 in the United States through the [[Section of Painting and Sculpture]], later called the [[Section of Fine Arts]], of the [[United States Department of the Treasury|Treasury Department]].<ref>Park, Marlene and Gerald E. Markowitz, Democratic vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal,  Temple University Press, Philadelphia 1984</ref>

==Education==
[[File:Sign for Front Street in Ogallala, Nebraska.jpg|thumb|upright|Sign for "Front Street" a popular [[Old West]]-themed tourist attraction in Ogallala]]
[[Image:Ogallala tourist photo op.jpg|thumb|Photo spot just off [[Interstate 80]]]]

===Public schools===
Ogallala is served by the Ogallala Public School District<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.opsd.org/ |title=Ogallala Public School District |publisher=www.opsd.org |access-date=2010-07-20 }}</ref>
* High School—Ogallala High School
* Elementary and Middle School—Prairie View School (grade PK-8)

===Private schools===
* St. Paul's Lutheran School (PreK-5)
* St. Luke's Catholic School (PreK-5)

==Media==

===Radio===
* [[KOGA (AM)]] (930 AM) Adult Standards/MOR
* [[KOGA-FM]] (99.7 FM) Classic Rock
* KMCX (106.5 FM) Hot Country

===Newspaper===
* ''Keith County News'' (bi-weekly)

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
Intercity bus service to the city is provided by [[Burlington Trailways]] and [[Express Arrow]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://burlingtontrailways.com/locations/nebraska/|title=Nebraska Bus Stops|date=March 23, 2017 |access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://expressarrow.com/locations/|title=Locations|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref> Within the city, Ogallala Public Transit provides [[dial-a-ride]] service.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ogallala-ne.gov/city_services/public_transit/|title=Ogallala Public Transit|access-date=July 20, 2023}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[John Lanigan (radio)|John Lanigan]] – longtime morning radio host at [[WMJI]] in Cleveland; [[National Radio Hall of Fame]] inductee
* [[Ken Schilz]] – Nebraska state senator 
* [[Thomas Michael Shanahan|Thomas Shanahan]] – United States federal judge

==In popular culture==
The 1985 novel ''[[Lonesome Dove]]'' is partially set in Ogallala,<ref>{{Cite book |last=McMurtry |first=Larry |title=Lonesome Dove |publisher=Simon & Schuster |year=1985 |isbn=0-671-50420-7 |language=English}}</ref> as is the 1989 ''[[Lonesome Dove (miniseries)|Lonesome Dove]]'' miniseries.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schiavino |first=G. R. |date=2014-07-01 |title=3 Days In... Ogallala, Neb. |url=https://americancowboy.com/travel-archive/3-days-ogallala-neb-29132/ |access-date=2024-12-12 |website=American Cowboy |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Ogallala, Nebraska}}
* [http://www.ogallala-ne.gov/ City of Ogallala]
* {{osmrelation|169770}}

{{Keith County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Keith County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:County seats in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1875]]
[[Category:Pony Express stations]]
[[Category:1875 establishments in Nebraska]]