Editing Seward, Nebraska

{{short description|City in and county seat of Seward County, Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Seward, Nebraska
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 =
|motto                    =

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Seward, Nebraska downtown 1.JPG
|imagesize                =
|image_caption            = Downtown Seward: west side of courthouse square, July 2010
|image_flag               =
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Seward_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Seward_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Seward within Seward County and Nebraska
|image_map1               =
|mapsize1                 =
|map_caption1             =
|pushpin_map = USA
|pushpin_relief = yes
|pushpin_label = Seward
|pushpin_map_caption = Location within the United States

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates              = {{coord|40|54|40|N|97|5|49|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|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        = [[Seward County, Nebraska|Seward]]
|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           = 11.63
|area_land_km2            = 11.54
|area_water_km2           = 0.09
|area_total_sq_mi         = 4.49
|area_land_sq_mi          = 4.46
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Population -->
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="2020 census">{{cite web |title=Seward city, Nebraska - Census Bureau Profile |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Seward_city,_Nebraska?g=160XX00US3144420 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=13 June 2024}}</ref>
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           =
|pop_est_as_of            =
|population_total         = 7643
|population_density_sq_mi = 1715.22
|population_density_km2   = 662.31

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1493
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 68434
|area_code                = [[Area code 402|402]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 31-44420
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 2396580<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396580}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.cityofsewardne.com/ cityofsewardne.com]
|footnotes                =
|pop_est_footnotes =
}}

'''Seward''' is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Seward County, Nebraska]], United States. The population was 7,643 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]]. Seward is part of the [[Lincoln, Nebraska metropolitan area]].

==History==
Seward was [[plat]]ted in 1868.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=InM_AAAAYAAJ&pg=PA136 | title=History of Hamilton and Clay Counties, Nebraska, Volume 1 | publisher=S.J. Clarke Publishing Company | author=Burr, George L. | year=1921 | pages=136}}</ref> It was named from Seward County.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.epodunk.com/cgi-bin/genInfo.php?locIndex=27568 | title=Profile for Seward, NE | publisher=[[ePodunk]] | access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref> The railroad was built through Seward in 1873.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.casde.unl.edu/history/counties/seward/seward/ | title=Seward, Seward County | publisher=University of Nebraska | work=Center for Advanced Land Management Information Technologies | access-date=23 August 2014}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|4.31|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{convert|4.27|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|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/20120125061959/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt|archive-date=2012-01-25}}</ref>

===Climate===
{{Weather box
| width       = auto
| single line = yes
| location    = Seward, Nebraska (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1900–present)
| Jan record high F = 74
| Feb record high F = 80
| Mar record high F = 90
| Apr record high F = 98
| May record high F = 103
| Jun record high F = 107
| Jul record high F = 114
| Aug record high F = 111
| Sep record high F = 105
| Oct record high F = 98
| Nov record high F = 87
| Dec record high F = 81
| year record high F = 114
| Jan high F = 32.9
| Feb high F = 37.6
| Mar high F = 50.0
| Apr high F = 61.5
| May high F = 71.9
| Jun high F = 81.9
| Jul high F = 85.7
| Aug high F = 83.8
| Sep high F = 77.5
| Oct high F = 64.8
| Nov high F = 49.6
| Dec high F = 36.2
| year high F = 61.1
| Jan mean F = 22.5
| Feb mean F = 26.8
| Mar mean F = 38.3
| Apr mean F = 49.6
| May mean F = 61.0
| Jun mean F = 71.4
| Jul mean F = 75.4
| Aug mean F = 73.1
| Sep mean F = 65.3
| Oct mean F = 52.0
| Nov mean F = 38.0
| Dec mean F = 26.2
| year mean F = 50.0
| Jan low F = 12.0
| Feb low F = 16.1
| Mar low F = 26.6
| Apr low F = 37.6
| May low F = 50.2
| Jun low F = 60.9
| Jul low F = 65.2
| Aug low F = 62.4
| Sep low F = 53.0
| Oct low F = 39.3
| Nov low F = 26.4
| Dec low F = 16.2
| year low F = 38.8
| Jan record low F = -30
| Feb record low F = -26
| Mar record low F = -19
| Apr record low F = 5
| May record low F = 19
| Jun record low F = 36
| Jul record low F = 42
| Aug record low F = 37
| Sep record low F = 20
| Oct record low F = 6
| Nov record low F = -6
| Dec record low F = -27
| year record low F = -30
| precipitation colour   = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 0.65
| Feb precipitation inch = 0.67
| Mar precipitation inch = 1.49
| Apr precipitation inch = 2.46
| May precipitation inch = 4.87
| Jun precipitation inch = 4.70
| Jul precipitation inch = 3.56
| Aug precipitation inch = 3.46
| Sep precipitation inch = 2.46
| Oct precipitation inch = 2.20
| Nov precipitation inch = 1.23
| Dec precipitation inch = 0.92
| year precipitation inch = 28.67
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days  = 4.6
| Feb precipitation days  = 4.5
| Mar precipitation days  = 6.4
| Apr precipitation days  = 9.2
| May precipitation days  = 10.8
| Jun precipitation days  = 9.0
| Jul precipitation days  = 7.8
| Aug precipitation days  = 7.8
| Sep precipitation days  = 6.8
| Oct precipitation days  = 6.5
| Nov precipitation days  = 4.1
| Dec precipitation days  = 3.9
| year precipitation days = 81.4
|snow colour = green
| Jan snow inch = 5.4
| Feb snow inch = 6.0
| Mar snow inch = 3.0
| Apr snow inch = 0.9
| 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 = 0.7
| Nov snow inch = 1.5
| Dec snow inch = 4.0
| year snow inch = 21.5
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days  = 3.2
| Feb snow days  = 3.1
| Mar snow days  = 1.6
| Apr snow days  = 0.5
| May snow days  = 0.0
| Jun snow days  = 0.0
| Jul snow days  = 0.0
| Aug snow days  = 0.0
| Sep snow days  = 0.0
| Oct snow days  = 0.1
| Nov snow days  = 1.4
| Dec snow days  = 2.8
| year snow days = 12.7
| source = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration|NOAA]]<ref name="NOWData">{{cite web
|url = https://www.weather.gov/wrh/climate?wfo=oax
|title = NOWData - NOAA Online Weather Data
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = April 3, 2024}}</ref><ref name="NCEI">{{cite web
|url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&stations=USC00257715&format=pdf&dataTypes=MLY-TMAX-NORMAL,MLY-TMIN-NORMAL,MLY-TAVG-NORMAL,MLY-PRCP-NORMAL,MLY-SNOW-NORMAL
|title = Summary of Monthly Normals 1991-2020
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = April 3, 2024}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1880= 1525
|1890= 2108
|1900= 1970
|1910= 2106
|1920= 2368
|1930= 2737
|1940= 2826
|1950= 3154
|1960= 4208
|1970= 5294
|1980= 5713
|1990= 5634
|2000= 6319
|2010= 6964
|2020= 7643
|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 16, 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 7,643 people, 2,672 households, and 1,705 families in Seward. The population density was 1,713.7 per square mile (662.3/km{{sup|2}}). There were 2,824 housing units at an average density of 633.2 per square mile (244.7/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 93.31% (7,132) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 0.94% (72) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 0.3% (23) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.39% (30) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% (3) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.06% (81) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 3.95% (302) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 3.0% (213) of the population.

Of the 2,672 households, 30.7% had children under the age of 18; 53.1% were married couples living together; 23.8% had a female householder with no husband present. 27.4% of households consisted of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 2.9.

20.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 20.3% from 18 to 24, 20.1% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.6 years. For every 100 females, the population had 101.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 98.9 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 $66,190 (with a margin of error of +/- $7,523) and the median family income $92,260 (+/- $6,779). Males had a median income of $40,676 (+/- $8,526) versus $20,585 (+/- $8,626) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $27,047 (+/- $3,169). Approximately, 4.3% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.1% of those under the age of 18 and 3.8% of those ages 65 or over.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 6,964 people, 2,521 households, and 1,653 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1630.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 2,796 housing units at an average density of {{convert|654.8|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 96.8% White, 0.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.9%.<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 the 2,521 households 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.2% of households were one person and 15.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age was 32.4 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 22% were from 45 to 64; and 15.1% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 6,319 people, 2,281 households, and 1,494 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,930.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 2,415 housing units at an average density of {{convert|737.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 97.97% White, 0.46% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.98% of the population.

Of the 2,281 households 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 29.8% of households were one person and 16.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 22.6% under the age of 18, 20.1% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median household income was $41,264, and the median family income  was $54,808. Males had a median income of $33,828 versus $22,231 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,668. About 4.1% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

==Fourth of July City==
[[File:Dan Osborn at Seward Grand Parade.jpg|thumb|left|2024 celebration at County showing county courthouse]]
Seward has celebrated [[Independence Day (United States)|US Independence Day]] on July 4 almost every year since 1868. Before the [[Car|automobile]] came into general use, special trains were run to bring people to the event.  In 1973, Governor [[J. James Exon]] issued a proclamation designating Seward "Nebraska's Official 4th of July City." In 1976, the city was chosen to host Nebraska's July 4 celebrations for the [[United States Bicentennial]]. In 1979, a resolution in the US Congress named Seward "America's Official Fourth of July City—Small Town USA."   Recent attendance has been estimated at 40,000.<ref>[http://www.julyfourthseward.com/ "Fourth of July, Seward, Nebraska"] and subpages thereof.  Retrieved 2010-12-12.</ref><ref>{{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20040702232312/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/publish/markers/texts/seward_4th_of_july_city.htm "Seward, 4th of July City".]}}  {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/19990129073714/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/index.htm Nebraska State Historical Society.]}}  Retrieved 2010-12-12.</ref>

==Education==
Seward Public Schools is the only public district in the city. It operates Seward Elementary School, Seward Middle School, and [[Seward High School (Nebraska)|Seward High School]]. In addition, St. John Lutheran Elementary and Junior High School provide a [[Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod|LCMS]] Lutheran education and St. Vincent de Paul provides a [[Roman Catholic]] education.

[[Concordia University, Nebraska|Concordia University]] is located in Seward.

== Economy ==

Major employers in Seward include [[Tenneco]]; [[Concordia University, Nebraska]]; Hughes Brothers Inc.; and Seward Memorial Hospital (Memorial Health Care Systems.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cultivatesewardcounty.com/economic-development/#Leading-Employers|title=Leading Employers |website=Seward County Chamber |access-date=August 10, 2024}}</ref>

==Sports==
Seward was home to [[minor league baseball]]. From 1910 to 1913, the [[Seward Statesmen]] played as members of the [[Class D (baseball)|Class D]] level [[Nebraska State League]].{{citation needed|date=June 2022}} In May 1913, Seward was struck by a deadly tornado and the franchise was relocated during the season to become the [[Beatrice Milkskimmers]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gendisasters.com/nebraska/7431/seward-ne-tornado-may-1913|title=Seward, NE Tornado, May 1913 &#124; GenDisasters ... Genealogy in Tragedy, Disasters, Fires, Floods|website=www.gendisasters.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/minorbaseball/roster/t-ss14510/y-1913|title=1913 Seward Statesmen/Beatrice Milkskimmers minor league baseball Roster on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}</ref> The Seward Statesmen played home games at Fairgrounds Park.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.statscrew.com/venues/v-2514|title=Fairgrounds Park in Seward, NE minor league baseball history and teams on StatsCrew.com|website=www.statscrew.com}}</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Seth Christian]], filmmaker
* [[Theodore C. Diers]], Wyoming state representative and senator
* [[John Folda]], bishop of the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo]]
* [[Joel D. Heck]], Lutheran theologian
* [[Qveen Herby]], (Amy Renee Heidemann Noonan) rapper, singer
* [[Sam Koch]], professional football player
* [[Mark Kolterman]], Nebraska state legislator
* [[Reinhold Marxhausen]], artist
* [[Quentin Neujahr]], professional football player
* [[Andrea von Kampen]], musician
* [[Francis Vreeland]], painter
* [[Thad Weber]], baseball player
* [[Bub Weller]], professional football player

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

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

==External links==
{{commons category|Seward, Nebraska}}
* [http://www.cityofsewardne.com/ City of Seward]

{{Seward County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Seward County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:County seats in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Lincoln, Nebraska metropolitan area]]