Hall County, Nebraska

Hall County, Nebraska
County
The Hall County Courthouse in Grand Island
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Nebraska
Coordinates: 40°51′58″N 98°30′10″W / 40.866027°N 98.502663°W / 40.866027; -98.502663
Country United States
State Nebraska
FoundedNovember 4, 1858
Named afterAugustus Hall
SeatGrand Island
Largest cityGrand Island
Area
 • Total
552.144 sq mi (1,430.05 km2)
 • Land546.529 sq mi (1,415.50 km2)
 • Water5.615 sq mi (14.54 km2)  1.02%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
62,895
 • Estimate 
(2024)
62,869
 • Density115.08/sq mi (44.433/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code308
Congressional district3rd
Websitehallcountyne.gov
• Nebraska county number 40[1]
• Nebraska license plate prefix 08[2]

Hall County is a county in the U.S. state of Nebraska. As of the 2020 census, the population was 62,895,[3] and was estimated to be 62,869 in 2024,[4] making it the fourth-most populous county in Nebraska. The county seat and the largest city is Grand Island.[5]

Hall County is part of the Grand Island metropolitan area.

In the Nebraska license plate system, Hall County was represented by the prefix "8" (as it had the eighth-largest number of vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).

History

Hall County was created on November 4, 1858;[6] it was named for Augustus Hall, an early judge of this territory.[7]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 552.144 square miles (1,430.05 km2), of which 546.529 square miles (1,415.50 km2) is land and 5.615 square miles (14.54 km2) (1.02%) is water.[8] It is the 70th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.[9]

The Platte River flows northeastward across the lower portion of Hall County; the South Loup River flows northeastward across the NW corner of the county; both flowing to their eventual drainage into the Missouri River.

Hall County has the highest density of tornado activity in Nebraska, with 121 tornadoes per 1,000 square miles (2,600 km2), about 4 times the state average.

Major highways

Transit

Adjacent counties

Protected areas

  • Cheyenne State Recreation Area[10]
  • Cornhusker State Wildlife Management Area[11]
  • Denman Island State Wildlife Management Area (part)[12]
  • Hannon Federal Waterfowl Production Area[13]
  • Loch Linda State Wildlife Management Area[14]
  • Martins Reach State Wildlife Management Area[15]
  • Mormon Island State Recreation Area[16]
  • Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area[17]

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860116—
18701,057811.2%
18808,572711.0%
189016,51392.6%
190017,2064.2%
191020,36118.3%
192023,72016.5%
193027,11714.3%
194027,5231.5%
195032,18616.9%
196035,75711.1%
197042,85119.8%
198047,69011.3%
199048,9252.6%
200053,5349.4%
201058,6079.5%
202062,8957.3%
2024 (est.)62,869[18]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[19]
1790–1960[20] 1900–1990[21]
1990–2000[22] 2010–2020[4]

As of the third quarter of 2025, the median home value in Hall County was $231,944.[23]

As of the 2024 American Community Survey, there are 24,587 estimated households in Hall County with an average of 2.51 persons per household. The county has a median household income of $69,251. Approximately 14.1% of the county's population lives at or below the poverty line. Hall County has an estimated 65.5% employment rate, with 21.5% of the population holding a bachelor's degree or higher and 85.2% holding a high school diploma.[4] There were 25,569 housing units at an average density of 46.78 per square mile (18.1/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 (72.2%), Spanish (24.9%), Indo-European (0.6%), Asian and Pacific Islander (0.6%), and Other (1.7%).

The median age in the county was 36.1 years.

Hall 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[24] Pop. 1990[25] Pop. 2000[26] Pop. 2010[27] Pop. 2020[28]
White alone (NH) 45,978
(96.41%)		 45,986
(93.99%)		 44,818
(83.72%)		 42,537
(72.58%)		 39,420
(62.68%)
Black or African American alone (NH) 120
(0.25%)		 134
(0.27%)		 159
(0.30%)		 906
(1.55%)		 1,815
(2.89%)
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 114
(0.24%)		 139
(0.28%)		 132
(0.25%)		 231
(0.39%)		 215
(0.34%)
Asian alone (NH) 103
(0.22%)		 521
(1.06%)		 574
(1.07%)		 579
(0.99%)		 688
(1.09%)
Pacific Islander alone (NH) — — 17
(0.03%)		 34
(0.06%)		 25
(0.04%)
Other race alone (NH) 20
(0.04%)		 29
(0.06%)		 28
(0.05%)		 95
(0.16%)		 187
(0.30%)
Mixed race or multiracial (NH) — — 309
(0.58%)		 572
(0.98%)		 1,364
(2.17%)
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1,355
(2.84%)		 2,116
(4.32%)		 7,497
(14.00%)		 13,653
(23.30%)		 19,181
(30.50%)
Total 47,690
(100.00%)		 48,925
(100.00%)		 53,534
(100.00%)		 58,607
(100.00%)		 62,895
(100.00%)

2024 estimate

As of the 2024 estimate, there were 62,869 people, 24,587 households, and _ families residing in the county. The population density was 115.03 inhabitants per square mile (44.4/km2). There were 25,569 housing units at an average density of 46.78 per square mile (18.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.3% White (59.3% NH White), 4.2% African American, 3.7% Native American, 1.4% Asian, 0.6% Pacific Islander, _% from some other races and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 34.7% of the population.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 62,895 people, 23,805 households, and 15,655 families residing in the county.[29] The population density was 115.08 inhabitants per square mile (44.4/km2). There were 25,159 housing units at an average density of 46.03 per square mile (17.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 69.48% White, 3.05% African American, 1.45% Native American, 1.16% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 15.42% from some other races and 9.38% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 30.50% of the population.[30]

The median age was 36.0 years. 27.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.9 males age 18 and over.

87.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 12.4% lived in rural areas.[31]

There were 23,805 households in the county, of which 34.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[32]

There were 25,159 housing units, of which 5.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 60.7% were owner-occupied and 39.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.9%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 58,607 people, 22,196 households, and 14,329 families residing in the county.[33] The population density was 107.23 inhabitants per square mile (41.4/km2). There were 23,549 housing units at an average density of 43.09 per square mile (16.6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 82.61% White, 1.75% African American, 0.90% Native American, 1.04% Asian, 0.19% Pacific Islander, 11.43% from some other races and 2.09% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 23.30% of the population.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 53,534 people, 20,356 households, and 14,086 families residing in the county. The population density was 97.95 inhabitants per square mile (37.8/km2). There were 21,574 housing units at an average density of 39.47 per square mile (15.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 88.67% White, 0.36% African American, 0.31% Native American, 1.09% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 8.19% from some other races and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 14.00% of the population.

There were 20,356 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.90% were married couples living together, 9.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.80% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.08.

The county population contained 27.20% under the age of 18, 8.90% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,972, and the median income for a family was $43,963. Males had a median income of $29,158 versus $20,576 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,386. 12.00% of the population and 9.20% of families were below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 15.50% of those under the age of 18 and 8.30% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

Politics

Hall County has been a Republican Party stronghold for most of its history at the presidential level. In only four presidential elections in its history has a Democratic Party candidate carried the county, the most recent being Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964. Additionally, no Democrat has ever received more than 60% of the vote in Hall County.

Political Party Number of registered voters (February 1, 2026)[35] Percent
Republican 17,720 54.01%
Independent 7,219 22.00%
Democratic 7,183 21.89%
Libertarian 452 1.38%
Legal Marijuana Now 236 0.72%
Total 32,810 100.00%
United States presidential election results for Hall County, Nebraska[36]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1900 2,017 52.15% 1,766 45.66% 85 2.20%
1904 2,508 65.69% 817 21.40% 493 12.91%
1908 2,241 47.87% 2,229 47.62% 211 4.51%
1912 1,047 23.73% 2,085 47.26% 1,280 29.01%
1916 2,555 48.54% 2,483 47.17% 226 4.29%
1920 4,719 66.25% 1,724 24.20% 680 9.55%
1924 4,040 47.39% 1,863 21.85% 2,622 30.76%
1928 6,862 66.58% 3,391 32.90% 53 0.51%
1932 3,743 35.67% 6,266 59.72% 483 4.60%
1936 5,146 43.57% 6,295 53.30% 369 3.12%
1940 7,412 61.26% 4,687 38.74% 0 0.00%
1944 7,651 61.61% 4,768 38.39% 0 0.00%
1948 5,694 55.37% 4,590 44.63% 0 0.00%
1952 10,435 69.37% 4,608 30.63% 0 0.00%
1956 9,536 66.45% 4,815 33.55% 0 0.00%
1960 9,763 63.98% 5,496 36.02% 0 0.00%
1964 6,715 44.80% 8,273 55.20% 0 0.00%
1968 8,457 61.01% 4,571 32.98% 833 6.01%
1972 10,987 72.26% 4,218 27.74% 0 0.00%
1976 10,935 62.90% 6,079 34.96% 372 2.14%
1980 12,166 68.13% 4,422 24.76% 1,269 7.11%
1984 13,193 73.47% 4,655 25.92% 108 0.60%
1988 12,062 63.41% 6,853 36.02% 108 0.57%
1992 9,341 44.67% 5,558 26.58% 6,014 28.76%
1996 10,183 52.45% 6,708 34.55% 2,525 13.00%
2000 11,803 63.64% 5,952 32.09% 791 4.27%
2004 14,592 68.98% 6,228 29.44% 334 1.58%
2008 12,977 61.01% 7,855 36.93% 439 2.06%
2012 12,646 62.51% 7,161 35.40% 422 2.09%
2016 14,408 65.31% 6,282 28.48% 1,370 6.21%
2020 16,189 66.21% 7,681 31.42% 580 2.37%
2024 15,566 67.97% 6,956 30.37% 379 1.65%

Education

School districts include:[37]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Nebraska County Names and Numbers" (PDF). Nebraska Department of Revenue. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  2. ^ "Nebraska County Codes". 15 Q Net. November 17, 2002. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  3. ^ "Explore Census Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  4. ^ a b c "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hall County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  5. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  6. ^ "Nebraska: Individual County Chronologies". publications.newberry.org. The Newberry Library. 2008. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  7. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 147.
  8. ^ "2025 County Gazetteer Files – Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  9. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Hall County, Nebraska". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  10. ^ "Cheyenne State Recreation Area, Wood River, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  11. ^ "Cornhusker State Wildlife Management Area, Grand Island, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  12. ^ "Denman Island State Wildlife Management Area, Wood River, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  13. ^ "Hannon Federal Waterfowl Production Area, Wood River, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  14. ^ "Loch Linda State Wildlife Management Area, Grand Island, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  15. ^ "Martins Reach State Wildlife Management Area, Wood River, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  16. ^ "Mormon Island State Recreation Area". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  17. ^ "Wood River West State Wildlife Management Area, Wood River, NE". Google Maps. Retrieved January 21, 2019.
  18. ^ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  19. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  20. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. 2007. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  21. ^ 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.
  22. ^ "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.
  23. ^ "County Median Home Price". National Association of Realtors. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  24. ^ "Hall County, Nebraska — Population by Race". CensusScope. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  25. ^ "1990 Census of Population: General Population Characteristics Nebraska" (PDF). www.census.gov. October 6, 2022. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  26. ^ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Hall County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  27. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hall County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  28. ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Hall County, Nebraska". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  29. ^ "U.S. Census Bureau, Table P16: Household Type". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  30. ^ "How many people live in Hall County, Nebraska". USA Today. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  31. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  32. ^ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
  33. ^ "Nebraska: 2010 Census of Population and Housing" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. December 2012. p. 275 of 385. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  34. ^ Cameron NE Google Maps (accessed 21 January 2019)
  35. ^ "Voter Statistics Count Report" (PDF). nebraska.gov. Secretary of State of Nebraska. February 2, 2026. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  36. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 1, 2026.
  37. ^ 2020 Census - School District Reference Map: Hall County, NE (PDF) (Map). United States Census Bureau. January 14, 2021. Retrieved March 1, 2026. - Text list
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.