Editing Wahoo, Nebraska

{{Short description|City in and county seat of Saunders County, Nebraska, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2022}}
{{Infobox settlement
|name                     = Wahoo, Nebraska
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
|motto                    = "Welcome You"

<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Saunders County Courthouse (Nebraska) Wahoo memorial 1.JPG
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Memorial to World War II submarine [[USS Wahoo (SS-238)|USS ''Wahoo'']] on front lawn of Saunders County Courthouse in Wahoo, May 2010
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Saunders_County_Nebraska_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Wahoo_Highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 250px
|map_caption              = Location of Wahoo, Nebraska
|image_map1               = 
|mapsize1                 = 
|map_caption1             =

<!-- Location -->
|coordinates              = {{coord|41|13|00|N|96|37|03|W|region:US-NE|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        = [[Saunders County, Nebraska|Saunders]]

<!-- Government -->
|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           = 7.75
|area_land_km2            = 7.75
|area_water_km2           = 0.00
|area_total_sq_mi         = 2.99
|area_land_sq_mi          = 2.99
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00
|unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
|elevation_ft             = 1230

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
|population_est           = 
|pop_est_as_of            = 
|population_footnotes     = 
|population_total         = 4818
|population_density_sq_mi = 1610.83
|population_density_km2   = 621.98

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
|utc_offset               = -6
|timezone_DST             = CDT
|utc_offset_DST           = -5
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 68066
|area_code                = [[Area code 402|402]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 31-50965
|blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
|blank1_info              = 0838310<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|838310}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.wahoo.ne.us/ wahoo.ne.us]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
}}

'''Wahoo''' ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|w|ɑ:|ˌ|h|u}};<ref>{{cite web|url=https://aschmann.net/AmEng/#Au_Nebraska|title=North American English Dialects, Based on Pronunciation Patterns|author=Rick Aschmann|date=May 2, 2018|access-date=November 25, 2019|website=Aschmann.net}}</ref> from [[Dakota language|Dakota]] {{lang|dak|wǧhu}} meaning "[[Euonymus atropurpureus|arrow wood]]")<ref>{{cite book |last=Bright |first=William |title=Native American Placenames of the United States |year=2004 |publisher=University of Oklahoma Press |location=Norman, OK |page=541}}</ref> is a city in and the [[county seat]] of [[Saunders County, Nebraska]], United States.<ref name="GR6">{{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}}</ref>  The population was 4,818	at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].

==History==
Wahoo was founded in 1870. The town's name comes from the eastern wahoo (''[[Euonymus atropurpureus]]''), a shrub found on the banks of Wahoo Creek.<ref>Fitzpatrick, Lilian Linder (1925).  [http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=englishunsllc "Nebraska Place-Names".]  University of Nebraska Department of English.  Retrieved September 2, 2010.</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Chicago and North Western Railway Company|title=A History of the Origin of the Place Names Connected with the Chicago & North Western and Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railways|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OspBAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA135|year=1908|page=135}}</ref> The town was originally built by predominantly Czech, German, and Scandinavian settlers.<ref>{{cite web |title=History |url=https://www.wahoo.ne.us/vnews/display.v/ART/4fdbaf604ee80?in_archive=1 |website=City of Wahoo |access-date=1 April 2025}}</ref>
==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|2.65|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=June 24, 2012|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=January 25, 2012}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population|align=left
|1880= 1064
|1890= 2006
|1900= 2100
|1910= 2168
|1920= 2338
|1930= 2689
|1940= 2648
|1950= 3128
|1960= 3610
|1970= 3835
|1980= 3555
|1990= 3681
|2000= 3942
|2010= 4508
|2020= 4818
|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/20131120100311/http://www.census.gov/popest/data/cities/totals/2012/SUB-EST2012-3.html|archive-date=November 20, 2013}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]] there were 4,508 people, 1,801 households, and 1,131 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1701.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 1,962 housing units at an average density of {{convert|740.4|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 94.5% White, 0.8% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.5%.<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=June 24, 2012}}</ref>

Of the 1,801 households 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.8% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 33.3% of households were one person and 16.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 3.08.

The median age was 38.7 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.4% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 17.2% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States Census|2000 census]], there were 3,942 people, 1,583 households, and 992 families living in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,841.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,669 housing units at an average density of {{convert|779.5|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the city was 98.40% White, 0.15% African American, 0.30% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.30% from other races, and 0.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.84% of the population.

There were 1,583 households, 31.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% were non-families. 33.2% of households were made up of individuals, and 19.3% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 3.08.

The population was spread out, with 26.3% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 21.4% 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.5 males.

The median household income was $35,104, and the median family income  was $46,094. Males had a median income of $31,729 versus $22,138 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,765. About 7.5% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 7.5% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.

==In popular culture==
Beginning in February 1996, the city was denoted the location of the "[[Cities that have been David Letterman's Home Office|home office]]" that produces the [[Late Show Top Ten List|Top Ten List]] for [[David Letterman]]'s ''[[Late Show with David Letterman|Late Show]]'' program, having relocated from [[Grand Rapids, Michigan]]. The town had lobbied Letterman for the status for months. It had the Nebraska legislature proclaim Letterman an [[Nebraska Admiral|admiral in the Great Navy of the State of Nebraska]], and it inundated him with letters, postcards, and bribes of flowers, clothing, animals, alcoholic beverages, shredded money, and free checkups at the Wahoo Medical Center. When Letterman jokingly said he wanted more, Wahoo sent him a '76 [[Ford Pinto]] with a sofa attached to the hood, a wall clock made of cow droppings, and two of the town's teenagers, brothers Jeff and Josh Price. The nightly recap of the Top Ten List at the [[CBS]] website was titled ''The Wahoo Gazette''.<ref>[http://journalstar.com/lifestyles/misc/from-the-home-office-in-wahoo-neb-letterman-wooers-remember/article_ff8a5ecb-943c-5175-9725-3ec7cf778bb4.html Matteson, Cory. "From the home office in Wahoo, Neb., Letterman wooers remember 'Late Show,'" ''Lincoln'' (NE) ''Journal Star'', Saturday, May 16, 2015.]</ref>

==Education ==
[[Wahoo Public Schools]] operates the area public schools.

The town has two parochial schools. Saint Wenceslaus Elementary serves K-6th grades while Bishop Neumann Junior/Senior High School serves 7th through 12th grades.

Wahoo was also the home of the now defunct [[John F. Kennedy College]] (1965–1975). In intercollegiate athletics, the school became nationally known as the inaugural winner of the tournament which later became known as the Women's College World Series in softball, claiming the first three national championships (1969–71).<ref>Plummer, William; Floyd, Larry C. (2013). A Series Of Their Own: History Of The Women's College World Series. Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, United States: Turnkey Communications Inc. ISBN 978-0-9893007-0-4.</ref>

==Notable people==
* [[Shuko Akune]], actress
* [[Clarence William Anderson]], author and illustrator of children's books, most notably the [[Billy and Blaze]] series
* [[George Beadle]], geneticist and [[Nobel Prize]] laureate
* [[Sam Crawford]], Hall of Fame baseball player with the [[Cincinnati Reds]] and [[Detroit Tigers]]. Nicknamed Wahoo Sam.
* [[Howard Hanson]], [[Pulitzer Prize]]–winning composer, conductor, author, and educator
* [[Dave Heineman]], the 39th [[Governor of the State of Nebraska]], grew up partly in Wahoo, among other Nebraska towns<ref>{{cite web|title=Governor Dave Heineman|url=http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/about/index.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081005233701/http://www.governor.nebraska.gov/about/index.html|archive-date=October 5, 2008}}</ref>
* [[Zach Miller (tight end, born 1984)|Zach Miller]], professional American football player
* [[Jack Natteford]], Hollywood screenwriter
* [[Tillie Olsen]], writer 
* [[Fannie Quigley]], pioneer and prospector<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/fannie-quigley-alaska-gold-rush|title=Fannie Quigley, the Alaska Gold Rush's All-in-One Miner, Hunter, Brewer, and Cook|last=Hulls|first=Tessa|date=August 21, 2017|website=Atlas Obscura|language=en|access-date=February 17, 2020}}</ref>
* [[Darryl F. Zanuck]], Academy Award-winning producer, writer, actor, director, studio executive, co-founder of [[20th Century Fox|Twentieth Century Fox]]<ref>{{cite news | url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2nVQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=8BAEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2128%2C5738668 | title=Small Towns Have Produced Many Big Stars | work=The Milwaukee Sentinel | date=November 27, 1969 | access-date=May 22, 2015 | author=Wilson, Earl | pages=A33}}</ref>

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

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

==External links==
{{commons category|Wahoo, Nebraska}}
* {{official website|http://www.wahoo.ne.us/}}

{{Saunders County, Nebraska}}
{{Nebraska county seats}}
{{Omaha-Council Bluffs metro}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Cities in Saunders County, Nebraska]]
[[Category:County seats in Nebraska]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1870]]
[[Category:1870 establishments in Nebraska]]