Editing Seward County, Nebraska

{{Short description|County in Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                            = Seward County
| official_name                   = County of Seward
| settlement_type                 = [[County (United States)|County]]
| image_skyline                   = Seward County, Nebraska courthouse from S 1.JPG
| image_caption                   = [[Seward County Courthouse (Nebraska)|Seward County Courthouse]] in Seward
| image_map                       = {{Maplink|zoom=8|frame=yes|plain=yes|frame-width=250|frame-align=center|type=shape|fill=#ffffff|fill-opacity=0|stroke-width=3}}
| map_caption                     = Interactive map of Seward County
| image_map1                      = Map of Nebraska highlighting Seward County.svg
| map_caption1                    = Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
| subdivision_type                = Country
| subdivision_name                = {{nowrap|{{US}}}}
| subdivision_type1               = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1               = {{flag|Nebraska}}
| established_title               = Established
| established_date                = March 16, 1855
| established_title1              = Organized
| established_date1               = October 1865
| named_for                       = [[William H. Seward]]
| seat_type                       = [[County seat]]
| seat                            = [[Seward, Nebraska|Seward]]
| parts_type                      = Largest city
| parts                           = Seward
| unit_pref                       = US
| area_total_sq_mi                = 576
| area_land_sq_mi                 = 571
| area_water_sq_mi                = 4.5
| area_water_percent              = 0.8
| elevation_max_ft                = 1598
| elevation_min_ft                = 938
| population_density_sq_mi        = auto
| population_total                = 17609
| population_as_of                = 2020
| area_code                       = [[Area codes 402 and 531|402/531]]
| area_code_type                  = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| blank_name_sec1                 = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS]] code
| blank_info_sec1                 = 31159
| blank1_name_sec1                = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info_sec1                = {{GNIS 4|835901}}
| website                         = [http://www.countyofsewardne.com/ countyofsewardne.com]
| timezone                        = [[Central Time Zone|Central]]
| utc_offset                      = &minus;6
| timezone_DST                    = [[Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST                  = &minus;5
}}
'''Seward County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Nebraska]], United States. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 17,609.<ref>{{cite web|title=Seward County, Nebraska|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Seward_County,_Nebraska?g=050XX00US31159|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref> Its [[county seat]] is [[Seward, Nebraska|Seward]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=7 June 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was formed in 1855,<ref>{{cite book|url=http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=englishunsllc|title=Nebraska Place-Names|last=Fitzpatrick|first=Lilian Linder|publisher=University of Nebraska Studies in Language, Literature, and Criticism|location=Lincoln|date=1925|page=131|access-date=December 19, 2014}}</ref> and was organized in 1867.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/seward_county.pdf|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080516234109/http://www.nebraskahistory.org/histpres/reports/seward_county.pdf|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 16, 2008|title=Seward County Nebraska Historic Buildings Survey|publisher=Nebraska State Historical Society|date=August 2007|access-date=December 19, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/seward/seward-p2.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030729034925/http://www.kancoll.org/books/andreas_ne/seward/seward-p2.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2003-07-29|title=Andreas' History of the State of Nebraska|last=Andreas|first=A. T.|date=1882|website=The Kansas Collection|access-date=December 19, 2014}}</ref> It was originally called Greene County, and in 1862 it was renamed for [[William H. Seward]], [[United States Secretary of State|Secretary of State]] under [[Abraham Lincoln]] and [[Andrew Johnson]]. Seward County is part of the [[Lincoln, Nebraska|Lincoln]], NE [[Lincoln, Nebraska metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

In the Nebraska [[Vehicle registration plates of Nebraska|license plate]] system, Seward County is represented by the prefix 16 (it had the sixteenth-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).

==Geography==
The Seward County terrain consists of low rolling hills, largely dedicated to agriculture including [[center pivot irrigation]]. The [[Big Blue River (Kansas)|Big Blue River]] flows south-southeasterly through the central part of the county.<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Seward+County,+NE/@40.8469176,-97.1859677,11.75z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8797279393bc32ed:0x440e1b1d21fdd7f5!8m2!3d40.9078649!4d-97.0984646 ''Seward County NE''  Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]</ref> The county has a total area of {{convert|576|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|571|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.5|sqmi}} (0.8%) 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>

===Protected areas===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* Bur Oak State Wildlife Management Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Bur+Oak+State+Wildlife+Management+Area,+Seward,+NE+68434/@40.8967638,-97.0043355,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8797279393bc32ed:0x440e1b1d21fdd7f5!2sSeward+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.9078649!4d-97.0984646!3m4!1s0x8796da1b0ca6c3ff:0xb389280485bac828!8m2!3d40.8964149!4d-97.0001223 ''Bur Oak State Wildlife Management Area, Seward NE''  Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]</ref>
* Freeman Lakes Waterfowl Production Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Freeman+Lakes+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+Waco,+NE+68460/@40.9290572,-97.3680603,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8797279393bc32ed:0x440e1b1d21fdd7f5!2sSeward+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.9078649!4d-97.0984646!3m4!1s0x879736de2bf81d13:0xfb01897ae8f6fb39!8m2!3d40.9290301!4d-97.3638104 ''Freeman Lakes Waterfowl Production Area, Waco NE''  Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]</ref>
* North Lake Basin State Wildlife Management Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/North+Lake+Basin+State+Wildlife+Management+Area,+Utica,+NE+68456/@40.8803499,-97.2972566,13.5z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8797279393bc32ed:0x440e1b1d21fdd7f5!2sSeward+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.9078649!4d-97.0984646!3m4!1s0x879730cec01dd48f:0x39d463c2816c8133!8m2!3d40.9126369!4d-97.3449183 ''North Lake Basin State Wildlife Management Area, Utica NE''  Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]</ref>
* Oak Glen State Wildlife Management Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Oak+Glen+State+Wildlife+Management+Area,+Garland,+NE+68360/@40.9165914,-97.1939246,12z/data=!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8797279393bc32ed:0x440e1b1d21fdd7f5!2sSeward+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.9078649!4d-97.0984646!3m4!1s0x8796d15b49d9ffe3:0xa575f4d8de5f3151!8m2!3d40.9836562!4d-96.9907379 ''Oak Glen State Wildlife Management Area, Garland NE''  Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]</ref>
* Tamora Waterfowl Production Area<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Tamora+Waterfowl+Production+Area,+Alvo+Rd,+Seward,+NE+68434/@40.8870998,-97.2249378,16z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x8797279393bc32ed:0x440e1b1d21fdd7f5!2sSeward+County,+NE!3b1!8m2!3d40.9078649!4d-97.0984646!3m4!1s0x8797258258981257:0xfb41a9d249829263!8m2!3d40.8866491!4d-97.2194466 ''Tamora Waterfowl Production Area, Alvo Rd, Seward NE''  Google Maps (accessed 26 January 2019)]</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1870 = 2953
| 1880 = 11147
| 1890 = 16140
| 1900 = 15690
| 1910 = 15895
| 1920 = 15867
| 1930 = 15938
| 1940 = 14167
| 1950 = 13155
| 1960 = 13581
| 1970 = 14460
| 1980 = 15789
| 1990 = 15450
| 2000 = 16496
| 2010 = 16750
| 2020 = 17609
| estyear = 2023
| estimate = 17671
| 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=US 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=2010-03-27 |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/31/31159.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=September 22, 2013}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2000 United States Census]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=31 January 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> there were 16,496 people, 6,013 households, and 4,215 families in the county. The population density was {{convert|29|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 6,428 housing units at an average density of {{convert|11|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 98.05% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.28% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.21% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.29% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.05% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.40% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.09% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 6,013 households, out of which 32.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.50% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 5.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 24.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.04.

The county population contained 24.70% under the age of 18, 14.30% from 18 to 24, 24.60% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,700, and the median income for a family was $51,813. Males had a median income of $32,218 versus $22,329 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,379. About 4.10% of families and 7.00% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.20% of those under age 18 and 6.80% of those age 65 or over.

===Civil asset forfeiture===

The county engages in extensive [[civil asset forfeiture]]. Having less than 18,000 people, it accounted for at least 90 cases in the last decade, one-third of all civil forfeiture cases in the state during that period and double that of any other Nebraska county. From 2018 to 2023, the county obtained $7.5 million in forfeited cash. Nearly all of the civil forfeitures stem from traffic stops of out-of-state drivers on Interstate 80 where Seward County police give stopped drivers a choice to give up their cash with an "abandonment form" or refuse and be subject to felony charges; the routine seizures never result in convictions of drivers, raising questions about the intent of the forfeitures.<ref name="NPM 2023-06-16">{{Cite news |title=Using loophole, Seward County seizes millions from motorists without convicting them of crimes |last=Alamdari |first=Natalia | date=June 16, 2023|url=https://nebraskapublicmedia.org/en/news/news-articles/using-loophole-seward-county-seizes-millions-from-motorists-without-convicting-them-of-crimes/ |access-date=2023-06-17 |work=Nebraska Public Media |agency=Flatwater Free Press |language=en}}</ref> This practice continues despite 2016 state law LB 1106, meant to stop it by first requiring a criminal conviction for [[illegal drugs]], [[child pornography]], or [[illegal gambling]], and establishing new reporting requirements and transfer regulations for seizures or forfeitures. However, loopholes in the law still allow seizure during a traffic stop if police believe the cash is connected to drugs, even if no drugs are found in the vehicle, a tactic that is used routinely by Seward County police.{{r|NPM 2023-06-16}}<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ij.org/report/policing-for-profit-3/?state=NE | title=Policing for Profit }}</ref> A bill introduced in February 2024 by Nebraska legislator [[Tom Brewer (politician)|Tom Brewer]], LB 916, intends to ban civil forfeiture in the state entirely, requiring in all cases that prosecutors use the criminal justice process, rather than civil courts, to seize property.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Lawmakers seek to ban practice allowing Seward County to seize millions from motorists|last=Alamdari |first=Natalia | date=February 2, 2024|url=https://flatwaterfreepress.org/lawmakers-seek-to-ban-practice-allowing-seward-county-to-seize-millions-from-motorists/|access-date=2024-10-24|agency=Flatwater Free Press|language=en}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Milford, Nebraska|Milford]]
* [[Seward, Nebraska|Seward]] (county seat)

===Villages===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Beaver Crossing, Nebraska|Beaver Crossing]]
* [[Bee, Nebraska|Bee]]
* [[Cordova, Nebraska|Cordova]]
* [[Garland, Nebraska|Garland]]
* [[Goehner, Nebraska|Goehner]]
* [[Pleasant Dale, Nebraska|Pleasant Dale]]
* [[Staplehurst, Nebraska|Staplehurst]]
* [[Utica, Nebraska|Utica]]
{{div col end}}

===Census-designated place===
* [[Tamora, Nebraska|Tamora]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Grover, Nebraska|Grover]]
* [[Ruby, Nebraska|Ruby]]

===Ghost town===
* [[Pittsburg, Nebraska|Pittsburg]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=33em}}
* [[Butler County, Nebraska|Butler County]] – north
* [[Lancaster County, Nebraska|Lancaster County]] – east
* [[Saline County, Nebraska|Saline County]] – south
* [[Fillmore County, Nebraska|Fillmore County]] – southwest
* [[York County, Nebraska|York County]] – west
* [[Polk County, Nebraska|Polk County]] – northwest
{{div col end}}

==Politics==
Seward County voters are reliably Republican. In only one national election since 1936 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).
{{PresHead|place=Seward 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|6,667|2,388|185|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,490|2,438|271|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,454|1,875|593|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,003|2,386|184|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,647|2,703|179|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,353|2,114|98|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,457|2,250|309|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,479|2,432|798|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,060|2,121|1,755|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,472|2,690|50|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,983|1,911|43|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|3,527|1,803|635|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|3,220|2,610|120|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,707|2,087|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,939|1,658|254|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,221|3,347|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|3,588|2,095|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|3,688|1,910|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,257|1,685|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|2,916|2,274|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|3,721|2,083|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|4,117|2,529|0|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3,123|3,866|50|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|2,298|4,208|65|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,539|2,367|24|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,797|1,848|1,039|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|3,690|1,497|86|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|1,855|1,797|50|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|788|1,573|1,023|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,930|2,029|44|Nebraska}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,243|1,027|369|Nebraska}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Republican|1,937|1,865|49|Nebraska}}

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

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

==External links==
* [http://www.connectseward.org/ Connect Seward County]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Seward County, Nebraska
|North     = [[Butler County, Nebraska|Butler County]]
|East      = [[Lancaster County, Nebraska|Lancaster County]]
|South     = [[Saline County, Nebraska|Saline County]]
|Southwest = [[Fillmore County, Nebraska|Fillmore County]]
|West      = [[York County, Nebraska|York County]]
|Northwest = [[Polk County, Nebraska|Polk County]]
}}

{{Seward County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska}}

{{coord|40.87|-97.14|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-NE_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Seward County, Nebraska| ]]
[[Category:Lincoln, Nebraska metropolitan area]]
[[Category:1867 establishments in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1867]]
[[Category:Nebraska counties]]