Cherry County, Nebraska

Cherry County, Nebraska
County
The Cherry County Courthouse in Valentine
Flag
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 42°34′17″N 101°02′52″W / 42.571323°N 101.047653°W / 42.571323; -101.047653
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedFebruary 23, 1883
Named afterSamuel A. Cherry
SeatValentine
Largest cityValentine
Area
 • Total
6,009.595 sq mi (15,564.78 km2)
 • Land5,960.099 sq mi (15,436.59 km2)
 • Water49.496 sq mi (128.19 km2)  0.82%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
5,455
 • Estimate 
(2024)
5,558
 • Density0.9153/sq mi (0.3534/km2)
Time zones
Eastern part of countyUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Western part of countyUTC−7 (Mountain)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−6 (MDT)
Area code308, 402, and 531
Congressional district3rd
Websitecherrycountyne.gov
• Nebraska county number 16[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 66[2]

Cherry County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,455,[3] and was estimated to be 5,558 in 2024.[4] The county seat and the largest city is Valentine.[5]

In the Nebraska license plate system, Cherry County was represented by the prefix "66" (as it had the 66th-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Cherry County was created on February 23, 1883[6] and named for Lt. Samuel A. Cherry, an Army officer who was stationed at Fort Niobrara and was killed in South Dakota in 1881.[7] Cherry County is in the Nebraska Sandhills. It is the state's largest county, at nearly 6,000 square miles (16,000 km2), larger than three states, Rhode Island, Delaware and Connecticut.

On November 3, 1911, Cherry County held a referendum that asked whether voters wanted to split the county into 5 different sections.[8] The measure proposed that the western 60 miles were cut from the county, and divided as follows: the 60 miles is split in half into 30 mile strips, with 18 miles being taken from the south of those strips and given to Grant and Hooker Counties. The remaining northern parts would create two new counties: Lake and Green.[9] The proposal failed, receiving 390 votes in favor, and 1,368 against.[10] Unofficial precinct results detail that it succeeded in only 3 of the county's 42 precincts.[11] A map of the proposed changes can be viewed below:

Map of 1885, with subdivision into:
• Boiling Springs
• Sharp's Ranch
• Valentine
• Seven Creeks
Map of 1919, with subdivision into precincts
precincts of 2010 (Cherry County in upper part of map)

Geography

Cherry County lies on the north side of Nebraska. Its north boundary line abuts the south boundary line of South Dakota.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,009.595 square miles (15,564.78 km2), of which 5,960.099 square miles (15,436.59 km2) is land and 49.496 square miles (128.19 km2) (0.82%) is water.[12] It is the largest county in Nebraska by total area.[13]

It is by far Nebraska's largest county in land area and larger than the state of Connecticut, or the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined.[14] The county is in Nebraska's Sandhills region; the dunes that give the region its name are a result of the most recent glacial period, the Pinedale glaciation. During the Holocene glacial retreat, the dunes, which had been deposited by the vast continental glaciers, were exposed, and grasses eventually took over.

Major highways

National protected areas

State protected areas

Adjacent counties

Nebraska's largest county by area, Cherry County borders 11 counties, more than any other county in Nebraska. Seven of them are in Nebraska and four in South Dakota. The adjacent counties are:

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18906,428—
19006,5411.8%
191010,41459.2%
192011,75312.9%
193010,898−7.3%
19409,637−11.6%
19508,397−12.9%
19608,218−2.1%
19706,846−16.7%
19806,758−1.3%
19906,307−6.7%
20006,148−2.5%
20105,713−7.1%
20205,455−4.5%
2024 (est.)5,558[15]1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[16]
1790–1960[17] 1900–1990[18]
1990–2000[19] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Cherry County was $151,729.[20]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 2,233 estimated households in Cherry County with an average of 2.41 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $66,270. Approximately 8.3% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Cherry County has an estimated 66.9% employment rate, with 25.3% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 96.2% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 3,009 housing units at an average density of 0.51 per square mile (0.2/km2).

The top five reported languages (people were allowed to report up to two languages, thus the figures will generally add to more than 100%) were English (94.4%), Spanish (3.3%), Indo-European (0.3%), Asian and Pacific Islander (1.8%), and Other (0.2%).

The median age in the county was 41.4 years.

Cherry County, Nebraska – racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / ethnicity (NH = non-Hispanic) Pop. 1980[21] Pop. 1990[22] Pop. 2000[23] Pop. 2010[24] Pop. 2020[25]
White alone (NH) 6,627
(98.06%)		 6,091
(96.58%)		 5,769
(93.84%)		 5,141
(89.99%)		 4,772
(87.48%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 1
(0.01%)		 2
(0.03%)		 4
(0.07%)		 11
(0.19%)		 11
(0.20%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 90
(1.33%)		 176
(2.79%)		 195
(3.17%)		 310
(5.43%)		 271
(4.97%)
Asian alone (NH) 10
(0.15%)		 14
(0.22%)		 24
(0.39%)		 20
(0.35%)		 7
(0.13%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 1
(0.02%)		 1
(0.02%)		 0
(0.00%)
Other race alone (NH) 8
(0.12%)		 0
(0.00%)		 1
(0.02%)		 0
(0.00%)		 7
(0.13%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 97
(1.58%)		 135
(2.36%)		 239
(4.38%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 22
(0.33%)		 24
(0.38%)		 57
(0.93%)		 95
(1.66%)		 148
(2.71%)
Total 6,758
(100.00%)		 6,307
(100.00%)		 6,148
(100.00%)		 5,713
(100.00%)		 5,455
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 5,558 people, 2,233 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 0.93 inhabitants per square mile (0.4/km2). There were 3,009 housing units at an average density of 0.51 per square mile (0.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 86.8% White (83.4% NH White), 0.6% African American, 7.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 4.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 4.9% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 5,455 people, 2,427 households, and 1,510 families residing in the county.[26] The population density was 0.92 inhabitants per square mile (0.4/km2). There were 2,979 housing units at an average density of 0.50 per square mile (0.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.54% White, 0.20% African American, 5.35% Native American, 0.13% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from some other races and 5.13% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.71% of the population.[27]

There were 2,427 households in the county, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

The median age was 43.4 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 22.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.4 males age 18 and over.[28]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[29]

There were 2,979 housing units, of which 18.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.1% were owner-occupied and 34.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.1%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 5,713 people, 2,530 households, and 1,634 families residing in the county.[30] The population density was 0.96 inhabitants per square mile (0.4/km2). There were 3,157 housing units at an average density of 0.53 per square mile (0.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.67% White, 0.23% African American, 5.86% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from some other races and 2.47% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.66% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 6,148 people, 2,508 households, and 1,710 families residing in the county. The population density was 1.03 inhabitants per square mile (0.4/km2). There were 3,220 housing units at an average density of 0.54 per square mile (0.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.19% White, 0.07% African American, 3.25% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from some other races and 1.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.93% of the population. 38.5% were of German, 12.6% English, 11.1% Irish and 7.3% American ancestry.

There were 2,508 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.90% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% were non-families. 28.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.98.

The county population contained 27.00% under the age of 18, 6.20% from 18 to 24, 25.50% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,268, and the median income for a family was $36,500. Males had a median income of $23,705 versus $17,277 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,943. About 9.60% of families and 12.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 14.20% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

City

Villages

Census-designated place

Other unincorporated communities

Notable ranches

Time zones

Further information: Time in Nebraska

Cherry County residents observe two time zones, Central and Mountain. The eastern third of the county, including county seat Valentine, is in the Central Time Zone, while the western two thirds, including Merriman, are in the Mountain Time Zone.[33]

Politics

Cherry County voters are reliably Republican. The county has not voted for a Democrat in a presidential election since Franklin D. Roosevelt's 1936 landslide, and even then, the county was decided by less than four points. Republicans have carried the county by a double-digit margin in every presidential election since, and no Democratic nominee since Harry S. Truman in 1948 has even mustered 40% of the vote.

Political Party Number of registered voters (March 1, 2026)[34] Percent
Republican 2,968 81.07%
Independent 364 9.94%
Democratic 286 7.81%
Libertarian 28 0.76%
Legal Marijuana Now 15 0.41%
Total 3,661 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Cherry County, Nebraska[35]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1900 922 55.24% 698 41.82% 49 2.94%
1904 978 66.94% 325 22.25% 158 10.81%
1908 1,048 48.34% 1,021 47.09% 99 4.57%
1912 679 25.90% 1,047 39.93% 896 34.17%
1916 1,091 36.44% 1,734 57.92% 169 5.64%
1920 1,636 66.37% 711 28.84% 118 4.79%
1924 1,663 43.69% 1,169 30.71% 974 25.59%
1928 2,905 69.04% 1,285 30.54% 18 0.43%
1932 1,754 37.30% 2,912 61.92% 37 0.79%
1936 1,874 47.58% 2,010 51.03% 55 1.40%
1940 2,705 60.30% 1,781 39.70% 0 0.00%
1944 2,314 62.80% 1,371 37.20% 0 0.00%
1948 2,141 58.93% 1,492 41.07% 0 0.00%
1952 3,148 76.63% 960 23.37% 0 0.00%
1956 2,414 73.20% 884 26.80% 0 0.00%
1960 2,695 72.08% 1,044 27.92% 0 0.00%
1964 2,244 61.11% 1,428 38.89% 0 0.00%
1968 2,199 73.23% 582 19.38% 222 7.39%
1972 2,610 84.93% 463 15.07% 0 0.00%
1976 2,197 68.83% 906 28.38% 89 2.79%
1980 2,517 79.78% 489 15.50% 149 4.72%
1984 2,720 85.05% 463 14.48% 15 0.47%
1988 2,240 77.35% 642 22.17% 14 0.48%
1992 1,707 56.75% 563 18.72% 738 24.53%
1996 1,905 68.04% 551 19.68% 344 12.29%
2000 2,322 81.56% 446 15.67% 79 2.77%
2004 2,509 82.48% 483 15.88% 50 1.64%
2008 2,360 77.15% 599 19.58% 100 3.27%
2012 2,557 83.45% 436 14.23% 71 2.32%
2016 2,623 84.12% 317 10.17% 178 5.71%
2020 2,844 87.00% 373 11.41% 52 1.59%
2024 2,687 87.30% 349 11.34% 42 1.36%

Education

School districts include:[36]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cherry County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  7. ^ "Cherry County". nebraskacounties.org. Nebraska Association of County Officials. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  8. ^ "Cherry County Divided?". Nebraska State Historical Society. Retrieved March 23, 2026.
  9. ^ "Vote it Down". The Stockman. November 3, 1911. Retrieved March 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Cherry County Clerk's Office
  11. ^ "Valentine Democrat". Valentine Democrat. November 9, 1911. Retrieved March 23, 2026 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Cherry County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  14. ^ Federal Writers Project (1939). Nebraska, a Guide to the Cornhusker State. WPA. p. 313. ISBN 9781623760267. {{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  15. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  16. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  17. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  18. ^ Forstall, Richard L. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 19, 1999. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  19. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  20. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  21. ^ "Cherry County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  22. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  23. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Cherry County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  24. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cherry County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  25. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Cherry County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  26. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  27. ^ "How many people live in Cherry County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  28. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  29. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  30. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 268 of 385. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  31. ^ "Thatcher, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  32. ^ "Abbott Ranch, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 17, 2019.
  33. ^ "Nebraska Time Zone". www.timetemperature.com. Retrieved January 20, 2017.
  34. ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  35. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  36. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Cherry County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 17, 2026. - Text list
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