Editing Richardson County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Richardson County
 | state                = Nebraska
 | founded              = 1854 (founded)<br />1855 (re-authorized)
 | seat wl              = Falls City
 | largest city         = Falls City
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 555
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 552
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.7
 | area percentage      = 0.5%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 7871
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | web                  = http://www.co.richardson.ne.us
 | ex image             = Richardson County, Nebraska courthouse from NE.JPG
 | ex image cap         = Richardson County Courthouse in Falls City
 | district             = 1st
 | time zone            = Central
 | named for            = [[William Alexander Richardson]]
}}

'''Richardson County''' is the easternmost [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 7,871.<ref>{{cite web|title=Richardson County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Richardson_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31147|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Falls City, Nebraska|Falls City]].<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|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>

In the [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|Nebraska license plate system]], Richardson County is represented by the prefix 19 (it had the nineteenth-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

Parts of the [[Ioway Reservation]] and the [[Sac and Fox Reservation]] are located in the southeast corner of the county between [[Falls City, Nebraska|Falls City]], [[Rulo, Nebraska|Rulo (Nebraska)]], and [[Hiawatha, Kansas|Hiawatha (Kansas)]]. The incorporated village of [[Preston, Nebraska]] is located inside the latter reservation.

==History==
The Nebraska Territory, including this county, was opened for settlement through the [[Kansas–Nebraska Act]] on May 30, 1854. Richardson County was created that same year and reorganized in 1855 by the first territorial legislature.<ref name=Richardson>[http://www.co.richardson.ne.us/webpages/about/history.html The History of Richardson County], Official Website</ref>  It was named after [[William Alexander Richardson|William A. Richardson]], a US Representative from the state of [[Illinois]] who had sponsored the Kansas-Nebraska Act; subsequently, in 1858, Richardson was appointed governor of the [[Nebraska Territory]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/richardson.htm|title=Richardson County|access-date=March 30, 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080704062350/http://www.nacone.org/webpages/counties/countywebs/richardson.htm|archive-date=July 4, 2008}} Retrieved December 29, 2015.</ref>

The first courthouse was built in 1863. The second courthouse was built in 1873 and burned on May 7, 1919.<ref name=Richardson/>

On May 30, 1879, the "Irving, Kansas Tornado" passed through Richardson County. This [[tornado]] measured F4 on the [[Fujita scale]], and had a damage path {{convert|800|yd}} wide and {{convert|100|mi|km}} long. Eighteen people were killed and sixty were injured in this tornado.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kansas.net/~rjherman/Irving,%20Kansas%20Tornado.htm |title=File Not Found |website=www.kansas.net |access-date=March 14, 2008}}</ref>

In the summer of [[1966 in aviation|1966]], [[Braniff Flight 250|Braniff Airlines Flight 250]] crashed near Falls City due to bad weather, killing all 42 on board.<ref name=fjcifc>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xjdWAAAAIBAJ&sjid=r-gDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6419%2C2283879 |newspaper=Spokesman-Review |agency=Associated Press |title=Flaming jet crashes kiiling all 42 aboard |date=August 8, 1966|page=1}}</ref> The [[BAC One-Eleven]] aircraft was on the [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] to [[Omaha, Nebraska|Omaha]] leg of a multi-stop flight from [[New Orleans]] to [[Minneapolis]] on Saturday night, August 6, 1966.

==Geography==
Richardson County lies at the southeast tip of Nebraska. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary line of the state of [[Missouri]] (across the [[Missouri River]]). Its south boundary line abuts the north boundary line of the state of [[Kansas]]. Several branches and tributaries of the [[Nemaha River basin|Big Nemaha River]] flow southeast through the county, depositing their waters into the Missouri River at the county's SE corner. The county's terrain consists of rolling hills, sloped to the southeast, cut by numerous drainages. The county area is largely devoted to agriculture.<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Richardson+County,+NE/@40.070773,-95.7724871,43433m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x879574e277af6563:0x5e0f79924f6ff35c!8m2!3d40.0898025!4d-95.6457951 ''Richardson County NE''  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref> The [[List of U.S. states by elevation|lowest point]] in the state of Nebraska is located on the [[Missouri River]] in Richardson County, where it flows out of Nebraska and into [[Kansas]] and [[Missouri]].

The county has a total area of {{convert|555|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|552|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|2.7|sqmi}} (0.5%) 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 11, 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>

===Major highways===
The major highways through the area are [[U.S. Route 73 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 73]] ([[File:US_73.svg|20x20px]]) and [[U.S. Route 75 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 75]] ([[File:US_75.svg|20x20px]]) running north and south through the county, [[U.S. Route 159 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 159]] ([[File:US_159.svg|25x25px]]) running east toward [[Rulo Bridge|the Rulo bridge]] (and connecting to [[Missouri|the state of Missouri]]), and [[Nebraska Highway 8]] ([[File:N-8.svg|20x20px]]) running west along the southern border of [[Nebraska]]. Other state highways provide connections between smaller towns.
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[File:US 73.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 73 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 73]]
* [[File:US 75.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 75 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 75]]
* [[File:US 159.svg|25px]] [[U.S. Route 159 in Nebraska|U.S. Highway 159]]
* [[File:N-8.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 8]]
* [[File:N-62.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 62]]
* [[File:N-67.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 67]]
* [[File:N-105.svg|20px]] [[Nebraska Highway 105]]
{{div col end}}

===Protected areas===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* Four Mile Creek State Wildlife Management Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Four+Mile+Creek+State+Wildlife+Management+Area,+Du+Bois,+NE+68345/@40.0320882,-95.9619741,14z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x879574e277af6563:0x5e0f79924f6ff35c!2sRichardson+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.0898025!4d-95.6457951!3m4!1s0x879590fc1576147d:0xb662c448b7d3dfe0!8m2!3d40.0407661!4d-95.9370053 ''Four Mile Creek State Wildlife Management Area, Du Bois NE''  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref>
* [[Indian Cave State Park]] (part)
* Kirkmans Cove Recreation Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kirkmans+Cove+Recreation+Area/@40.1683621,-95.9116444,12.25z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x879574e277af6563:0x5e0f79924f6ff35c!2sRichardson+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.0898025!4d-95.6457951!3m4!1s0x8795be657633f195:0xfc1544b8af1ea71c!8m2!3d40.1921187!4d-95.9964752 ''Kirkmans Cove Recreation Area''  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref>
* Verdon Lake State Recreation Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Verdon+Lake+State+Recreation+Area,+Verdon,+NE+68457/@40.1527887,-95.7426014,15z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x879574e277af6563:0x5e0f79924f6ff35c!2sRichardson+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.0898025!4d-95.6457951!3m4!1s0x87959fe3c221db31:0x3215d43ed766f3c6!8m2!3d40.1517763!4d-95.7352478 ''Verdon Lake State Recreation Area, Verdon NE''  Google Maps (accessed 27 January 2019)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Nemaha County, Nebraska|Nemaha County]] - north
* [[Holt County, Missouri]] - east
* [[Doniphan County, Kansas]] - southeast
* [[Brown County, Kansas]] - south
* [[Nemaha County, Kansas]] - southwest
* [[Pawnee County, Nebraska|Pawnee County]] - west
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 2835
|1870= 9780
|1880= 15031
|1890= 17574
|1900= 19614
|1910= 17448
|1920= 18968
|1930= 19826
|1940= 19178
|1950= 16886
|1960= 13903
|1970= 12277
|1980= 11315
|1990= 9937
|2000= 9531
|2010= 8363
|2020= 7871
|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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=December 11, 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 11, 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 11, 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 11, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31147.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=September 22, 2013|archive-date=June 7, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607151953/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/31/31147.html|url-status=dead}}</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> there were 9,531 people, 3,993 households, and 2,567 families in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|17|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 4,560 housing units at an average density of {{convert|8|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 95.65% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.19% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 2.32% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.15% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.48% from two or more races. 1.05% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 3,993 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.40% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 7.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.70% were non-families. 32.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.95.

The county population contained 25.50% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 23.80% from 25 to 44, 23.30% from 45 to 64, and 21.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,884, and the median income for a family was $39,779. Males had a median income of $25,938 versus $18,775 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,460. About 6.30% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 11.50% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Falls City, Nebraska|Falls City]] (county seat)
* [[Humboldt, Nebraska|Humboldt]]

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Barada, Nebraska|Barada]]
* [[Dawson, Nebraska|Dawson]]
* [[Preston, Nebraska|Preston]]
* [[Rulo, Nebraska|Rulo]]
* [[Salem, Nebraska|Salem]]
* [[Shubert, Nebraska|Shubert]]
* [[Stella, Nebraska|Stella]]
* [[Verdon, Nebraska|Verdon]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Nim City, Nebraska|Nim City]]
* [[Straussville, Nebraska|Strausville]]

===Former communities===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* Archer
* Arago
* Mount Roy
* Winnebago
* Yankton<ref name=Richardson/>
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Richardson County voters have been reliably Republican for decades. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Richardson 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|2,962|934|66|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,073|996|65|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,769|818|218|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|2,443|1,191|105|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|2,342|1,513|113|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,924|1,297|57|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|2,623|1,382|145|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|2,089|1,517|670|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|2,050|1,513|1,380|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|2,703|1,926|30|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,634|1,422|42|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,634|1,350|360|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,119|2,416|92|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,662|1,508|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,133|1,591|527|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,850|3,245|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,481|2,670|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|4,480|2,514|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|5,688|2,362|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|3,778|3,519|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|4,482|3,483|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|4,833|4,105|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,908|5,813|37|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,802|5,383|64|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,833|3,072|57|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|3,625|3,089|803|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,496|2,679|109|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,039|2,650|131|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|965|1,977|1,506|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|2,123|2,258|88|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,554|1,664|276|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|2,491|2,529|51|Nebraska}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Richardson County, Nebraska]]

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

==External links==
{{Commons category|Richardson County, Nebraska}}
* {{Official website|http://www.co.richardson.ne.us/}}
* [http://www.fcjournal.net/ Falls City Journal]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Richardson County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Nemaha County, Nebraska|Nemaha County]]
|East      = [[Holt County, Missouri]]
|Southeast = [[Doniphan County, Kansas]]
|South     = [[Brown County, Kansas]]
|Southwest = [[Nemaha County, Kansas]]
|West      = [[Pawnee County, Nebraska|Pawnee County]]
}}

{{Richardson County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}
{{Authority control}}
{{coord|40.12|-95.72|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Richardson County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties on the Missouri River]]
[[Category:1855 establishments in Nebraska Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1855]]