Big Springs, Nebraska

Big Springs is a city in Deuel County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 400 at the 2010 census.

History

The first name of the settlement was "Lone Tree", after a large cottonwood tree standing alone on the prairie near the town. It was believed to be over 100 years old at the time of first settlement and could be seen by riders on the Pony Express and travelers on the Oregon Trail. Sam Bass's gang reportedly divided $60,000 in loot under the tree from an 1877 robbery of a Union Pacific train.<ref name="Virt Neb"/>

The railroad named this stop "Big Springs" in 1867. Spring water from near the track was used by steam locomotives until 1950.<ref name="Virt Neb"/>

Big Springs was platted in 1884,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> and named for the stream that runs through town.<ref>Template:Cite book A 1925 edition is available for download at University of Nebraska—Lincoln Digital Commons.</ref> The Big Springs post office, established in 1884, was officially called Bigspring until 1943.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The village of Big Springs was incorporated in 1917.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

The county fair was held in Big Springs from 1889 to 1932. Chappell, the only other town in the county, became the county seat.<ref name="Virt Neb"/>

In 1884, the first church services were held by the Rev. E. E. Mount in the Phelps Hotel. The first church in the county, called Prospect Church, was a sod building constructed Template:Convert north of town in 1887.<ref name="Virt Neb">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 1965, Duane Earl Pope robbed the Farmers State Bank in Big Springs, killing 3 people.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of Template:Convert, all land.<ref name="Gazetteer files">Template:Cite web</ref>

Interstate 76 intersects Interstate 80 near the village. U.S. Route 30, formerly known as the Lincoln Highway, intersects U.S. Route 138 approximately three miles to the north.

Climate

Big Springs has a continental semi-arid climate (Köppen BSk). The station being far inland means it is prone to vast temperature swings. On average between 1991 and 2020, the coldest day of the year had a high of Template:Convert and the warmest night had a low of Template:Convert.<ref name= "NOWData NWS Big Springs, NE"/> High diurnal temperature variation is common year round. On average there are 173 air frosts but just 28 ice days.<ref name= "NOWData NWS Big Springs, NE"/>

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 400 people, 186 households, and 119 families residing in the village. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 217 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the village was 94.5% White, 0.8% Native American, 2.5% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 8.0% of the population.

There were 186 households, of which 19.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 29.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.15 and the average family size was 2.65.

The median age in the village was 50.1 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 16.6% were from 25 to 44; 37.1% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the village was 48.8% male and 51.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 418 people, 187 households, and 124 families residing in the village. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 216 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the village was 95.93% White, 0.48% Native American, 3.35% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.26% of the population.

There were 187 households, out of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.3% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.79.

In the village, the population was spread out, with 20.8% under the age of 18, 5.7% from 18 to 24, 20.6% from 25 to 44, 25.4% from 45 to 64, and 27.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

As of 2000 the median income for a household in the village was $29,583, and the median income for a family was $39,375. Males had a median income of $25,536 versus $15,962 for females. The per capita income for the village was $16,319. About 5.4% of families and 8.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

References

<references />