Editing Osceola, Nebraska

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Osceola, Nebraska
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = 
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Osceola, Nebraska downtown 4.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Downtown Osceola: north side of courthouse square
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               = 
<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Polk_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Osceola_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Osceola, Nebraska
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             = 
<!-- Location -->
|subdivision_type         = Country
|subdivision_name         = United States
|subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
|subdivision_name1        = [[Nebraska]]
|subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Nebraska|County]]
|subdivision_name2        = [[Polk County, Nebraska|Polk]]
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         = 
<!-- Area -->
|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_total_km2           = 2.39
|area_land_km2            = 2.39
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 0.92
|area_land_sq_mi          = 0.92
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial
<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 875
|population_density_sq_mi = 949.02
|population_density_km2   = 366.43
<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = &minus;6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = &minus;5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1647
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|10|41|N|97|32|59|W|type:city_region:US-NE|display=it}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 68651
|area_code                = [[Area code 402|402]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 31-37525<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2396093<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396093}}</ref>
|blank2_name              = [[United States Numbered Highway System|U.S. Routes]]
|blank2_info              = [[File:US 81.svg|20px|link=U.S. Route 81 in Nebraska]]
|website                  = [http://osceolanebraska.com/ osceolanebraska.com]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
}}

'''Osceola''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Polk County, Nebraska]], United States.<ref name="GR2" /> The population was 880 as of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]].

==History==
According to the [[University of Nebraska-Lincoln]], the first settlers of Osceola, which included the families of Reverend James Query and Vinson Perry Davis, arrived in October 1868. Davis is credited with naming the settlement after a [[Osceola, Iowa|city of the same name]] in [[Iowa]], which had been named after Chief [[Osceola]] of the [[Seminole]] people. After three years of settlement and disputes over the permanent location, the town itself was organized by [[frontiersman|frontiersmen]] William Francis Kimmel and John Hopwood Mickey in the early fall of 1871.  It had been decided in an election by a margin of 14 votes, prior to the formation that the "geographic center of the county" was best suited to be the settlement's site. A courthouse was erected the following spring and a general store was founded in May. During the summer, a post office was built, which served as a terminus between the cities of [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]] and [[Ulysses, Nebraska|Ulysses]]. The town's  first full year concluded with the establishment of a public school. The following year brought [[Methodism]] to the town, and a church for the faith had been completed by 1878. In the succeeding year, [[Nebraska Wesleyan]] college was founded in the church, serving 11 students by means of 4 instructors. The school would later move to [[Fullerton, Nebraska|Fullerton]]. The Omaha and Republican Valley Railroad, reached the town in 1879 and named a [[locomotive]] after the city, however it was ultimately renamed the number "9." Two years following the arrival of the railroad, the settlement was incorporated as a village on August 26, 1881 after accumulating a population of 200 citizens. The city would ultimately reach its peak of 1,200 residents in 1920.<ref name="unl">[http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/polk/osceola/ Nebraska...Our Towns], University of Nebraska-Lincoln.</ref>

A newspaper titled ''The Homesteader'' was established in August 1873. It was renamed the ''Osceola Record'' in March 1876, and as of 1995 it is known as the ''Polk County News''. It currently has a circulation of approximately 1,850 subscribers.<ref name="facts"/>

The city experienced a [[drought]] from 1893–95.  During the final stages in 1895, much of the city was burned by a two-hour-long fire that left only two buildings standing.

A [[sewage plant]] for the city was constructed in 1958 and expanded in 2007. Hanna Keelan from Lincoln, Nebraska was responsible for the formation of a comprehensive city plan formulated in 1985.<ref name="facts"/>

In the city's centennial year of 1971, celebrations were held for the city and twenty years after this, festivities marked the 100th anniversary of St. Mary's Catholic Church just outside town.<ref name="unl"/>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|0.92|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<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>

Using paved roads, [[Stromsburg, Nebraska|Stromsburg]] and [[Shelby, Nebraska|Shelby]] are tied as the closest cities to Osceola, located approximately {{convert|6.8|mi|km}} away. [[Polk, Nebraska|Polk]], which is in the same county as Osceola is located {{convert|19|mi|km}} away. Outside of the county, [[Silver Creek, Nebraska|Silver Creek]] is the closest city, found {{convert|11|mi|km}} away.

With regard to the largest cities of the state, Osceola is found {{convert|49|mi|km}} northeast of [[Grand Island, Nebraska|Grand Island]], {{convert|76|mi|km}} northwest of [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]] and {{convert|90|mi|km}} to the west of [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]].<ref name="ci">[http://www.ci.osceola.ne.us/ Osceola, Nebraska], Nebraska Public Power District, 1999.</ref>

<div style="position: relative; float:left; width:400px;">
[[Image:Blank map.svg|400px|left|Surrounding places]]
{{Image label|x=0.5|y=0.5|scale=400|text=[[Image:Map pointer black.svg|20px|Osceola]]'''Osceola'''}}
{{Image label|x=0.45506|y=0.562476|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Stromsburg, Nebraska|Stromsburg]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.263601|y=0.601813|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Polk, Nebraska|Polk]]</small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.621894|y=0.483869|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Shelby, Nebraska|Shelby]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.383326|y=0.36157|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Silver Creek, Nebraska|Silver Creek]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.441822|y=0.671879|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Benedict, Nebraska|Benedict]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.551744|y=0.709908|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Thayer, Nebraska|Thayer]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.647147|y=0.650339|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Gresham, Nebraska|Gresham]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.739663|y=0.573653|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Surprise, Nebraska|Surprise]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.752782|y=0.479428|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Rising City, Nebraska|Rising City]] </small>}}
{{Image label|x=0.209808|y=0.461176|scale=400|text=[[Image:Small-city-symbol.svg|8px|]]<small>[[Clarks, Nebraska|Clarks]] </small>}}
</div>{{Clear|left}}

===Climate===
Osceola has a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfa''), with cold, dry winters and warm, humid summers. Precipitation is highest in the late spring and summer months, with an annual average of {{convert|28.79|in|mm|abbr=on}}.<ref name=NOAA/> The city's highest recorded temperature was {{convert|112|°F|1|disp=or}} in 1954 and the lowest {{convert|-31|°F|1|disp=or}} in 2021.<ref name=NOAA/>

{{Weather box
|location = Osceola, Nebraska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1907–present) 
|single line = Y
| Jan record high F = 73
| Feb record high F = 81
| Mar record high F = 90
| Apr record high F = 98
| May record high F = 104
| Jun record high F = 110
| Jul record high F = 116
| Aug record high F = 112
| Sep record high F = 105
| Oct record high F = 93
| Nov record high F = 83
| Dec record high F = 72
| year record high F = 116

|Jan avg record high F = 56.7
|Feb avg record high F = 62.5
|Mar avg record high F = 75.4
|Apr avg record high F = 84.5
|May avg record high F = 90.6
|Jun avg record high F = 93.9
|Jul avg record high F = 95.0
|Aug avg record high F = 93.3
|Sep avg record high F = 91.2
|Oct avg record high F = 84.7
|Nov avg record high F = 72.2
|Dec avg record high F = 58.4
|year avg record high F = 96.8

| Jan high F = 34.3
| Feb high F = 39.0
| Mar high F = 51.6
| Apr high F = 62.7
| May high F = 73.0
| Jun high F = 82.4
| Jul high F = 86.0
| Aug high F = 83.8
| Sep high F = 78.0
| Oct high F = 65.1
| Nov high F = 50.3
| Dec high F = 37.4
| year high F = 62.0
| Jan mean F = 23.7
| Feb mean F = 27.7
| Mar mean F = 38.9
| Apr mean F = 49.8
| May mean F = 61.5
| Jun mean F = 71.5
| Jul mean F = 75.4
| Aug mean F = 73.0
| Sep mean F = 65.6
| Oct mean F = 52.5
| Nov mean F = 38.5
| Dec mean F = 27.3
| year mean F = 50.4
| Jan low F = 13.1
| Feb low F = 16.4
| Mar low F = 26.2
| Apr low F = 37.0
| May low F = 50.1
| Jun low F = 60.7
| Jul low F = 64.8
| Aug low F = 62.2
| Sep low F = 53.1
| Oct low F = 39.8
| Nov low F = 26.7
| Dec low F = 17.1
| year low F = 38.9

|Jan avg record low F = -8.9
|Feb avg record low F = -3.5
|Mar avg record low F = 6.8
|Apr avg record low F = 21.8
|May avg record low F = 35.1
|Jun avg record low F = 48.1
|Jul avg record low F = 53.8
|Aug avg record low F = 51.9
|Sep avg record low F = 38.5
|Oct avg record low F = 22.7
|Nov avg record low F = 8.9
|Dec avg record low F = -2.5
|year avg record low F = -12.4

| Jan record low F = −30
| Feb record low F = −31
| Mar record low F = −20
| Apr record low F = 0
| May record low F = 21
| Jun record low F = 37
| Jul record low F = 38
| Aug record low F = 38
| Sep record low F = 22
| Oct record low F = 5
| Nov record low F = −13
| Dec record low F = −29
| year record low F = −31
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 0.66
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.78
| Mar precipitation inch = 1.62
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.90
| May precipitation inch = 4.86
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.20
| Jul precipitation inch = 3.15
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.58
| Sep precipitation inch = 2.42
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.17
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.36
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.09
| year precipitation inch = 28.79
| Jan snow inch = 6.2
| Feb snow inch = 7.5
| Mar snow inch = 4.1
| Apr snow inch = 2.0
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.9
| Nov snow inch = 2.8
| Dec snow inch = 5.8
| year snow inch = 29.3
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 4.4
| Feb precipitation days = 4.9
| Mar precipitation days = 6.9
| Apr precipitation days = 8.8
| May precipitation days = 11.6
| Jun precipitation days = 10.1
| Jul precipitation days = 8.8
| Aug precipitation days = 8.7
| Sep precipitation days = 7.0
| Oct precipitation days = 6.5
| Nov precipitation days = 4.8
| Dec precipitation days = 4.9
| year precipitation days = 87.4
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 3.7
| Feb snow days = 4.1
| Mar snow days = 2.2
| Apr snow days = 0.8
| 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 = 0.4
| Nov snow days = 1.8
| Dec snow days = 3.4
| year snow days = 16.5
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<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=USC00256375&format=pdf
| title = Station: Osceola, 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
|1880= 527
|1890= 947
|1900= 882
|1910= 1105
|1920= 1209
|1930= 1054
|1940= 1039
|1950= 1098
|1960= 1013
|1970= 923
|1980= 975
|1990= 879
|2000= 921
|2010= 880
|2020= 875
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

===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 880 people, 365 households, and 229 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|956.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 415 housing units at an average density of {{convert|451.1|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 98.6% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.2% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], and 0.8% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 365 households, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 1.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.3% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 19.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the city was 45.3 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19.1% were from 25 to 44; 29.5% were from 45 to 64; and 21% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 45.8% male and 54.2% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 921 people, 381 households, and 235 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,036.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 417 housing units at an average density of {{convert|469.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 99.57% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.33% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], and 0.11% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.43% of the population.

There were 381 households, out of which 27.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.1% were non-families. 36.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 23.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.99.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.8% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 26.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 43 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.2 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the city was $34,737, and the median income for a family was $46,354. Males had a median income of $33,906 versus $19,432 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,037. About 5.2% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.7% of those under age 18 and 3.2% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
The economy of Osceola is based upon agriculture. Like most of Polk County, Osceola invests in dairy, cattle and pork production. Seed corn and soybean are among the grains produced by the city.<ref name="facts">[http://sites.nppd.com/aedc/FactsBook/PolkCobook.pdf Polk County Facts Book], Nebraska Public Power District, 1999.</ref>

Osceola's largest employer is the "Annie Jeffrey Memorial County Health Center", which employs 56 individuals overall, 52 of which are female. The largest local employer of males is the Polk County government with 25 male employees.<ref name="facts"/>

Roughly $2.33 of tax were paid in the city for every $100.00. The tax rate has steadily decreased from 2005 to 2007. A 1% sales tax is imposed upon the citizens by the city government.<ref name="facts"/>

==Government==
The city government includes a [[mayor]] and a [[city council]]. City planning is conducted by a five-member commission appointed by the mayor and approved by the city council. They serve for three year terms.<ref name="facts"/>

City services include, one [[fire station]] located within the city, provided with twenty-five volunteers and twelve Emergency Medical Technicians. The Polk County [[Sheriff]]'s [[Police Department|Department]] is also found in the city limits and includes seven sworn officers, four part-time officers and five support personnel.<ref name="facts"/>

The city of Osceola banned the ownership of certain [[domestic dog|dog]] breeds including [[Staffordshire bull terrier]]s, [[American Pit Bull Terriers]], [[American Staffordshire Terrier|American Staffordshire terrier]]s, [[Chow Chow|chow]]s, [[Doberman]]s, [[Rottweiler]]s, [[Bandog|American Bandog mastiff]]s and [[Neapolitan Mastiff]]s within city limits during the summer of 2008. Citizens were given 48 hours to transfer the dogs from their residence.<ref>[http://www.kticam.com/news/index/aac87a56-727e-4b01-8c4f-5abe5243506c Nebraska town of Osceola bans pit bulls], Nebraska Rural Radio Association, 2008.</ref>

==Education==
Osceola Public Schools operates two schools: Jeffrey Elementary and the Osceola Middle/High School.<ref>[http://www.edline.net/pages/Osceola_Public_School Osceola Public Schools], Osceola Public Schools, 2009.  Accessed 2009-03-14.</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[John Archer (actor)|John Archer]] - actor
* [[Stanley K. Hathaway]] - former [[List of Governors of Wyoming|Wyoming Governor]] and [[United States Secretary of the Interior|U.S. Secretary of the Interior]]
* [[Edwin L. King]] - Codifier, Nebraska Revised Statutes, 1913
* [[John Hopwood Mickey]] - former [[List of Governors of Nebraska|Governor of Nebraska]]
* [[Albinus Nance]] - former Governor of Nebraska
* [[Ashton Shallenberger]] - former Governor of Nebraska

==See also==
{{portal|Nebraska}}
* [[List of municipalities in Nebraska]]

==References==
{{reflist|22em}}

==External links==
{{commons category|Osceola, Nebraska}}
* {{official website|http://osceolanebraska.com}}

{{Polk County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Polk County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:County seats in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1868]]
[[Category:1868 establishments in Nebraska]]