York County

History

York County was created on March 16, 1855 and organized in 1870. Sources differ on the origin of the county's name: some state it was named after York in England, while others maintain it was named by early settlers from York County, Pennsylvania.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 575.829 square miles (1,491.39 km2), of which 572.516 square miles (1,482.81 km2) is land and 3.313 square miles (8.58 km2) (0.58%) is water. It is the 54th-largest county in Nebraska by total area.

The terrain of York County consists of rolling prairie, mostly devoted to agriculture. The ground slopes toward the Platte River, to the northwest.

Major highways

Interstate 80

U.S. Highway 34

U.S. Highway 81

Nebraska Highway 69

Adjacent counties

Butler County – northeast

Seward County – east

Saline County – southeast

Fillmore County – south

Clay County – southwest

Hamilton County – west

Polk County – north

Protected areas

Kirkpatrick Basin North State Wildlife Area

Kirkpatrick Basin South State Wildlife Area

Renquist Basin State Wildlife Management Area

Waco Waterfowl Production Area

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 14,125 people. The median age was 40.3 years. 22.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 94.8 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 90.5% White, 1.2% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 2.8% from some other race, and 4.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.9% of the population.

56.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 43.6% lived in rural areas.

There were 5,663 households in the county, of which 27.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 22.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 6,320 housing units, of which 10.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.2% were owner-occupied and 29.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.4%.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 14,598 people, 5,722 households, and 3,931 families in the county. The population density was 25 people per square mile (9.7 people/km2). There were 6,172 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.78% White, 0.96% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.64% from other races, and 0.77% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 52.0% were of German, 8.2% Irish, 7.2% English and 5.1% Swedish ancestry.

There were 5,722 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.20% were married couples living together, 6.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.30% were non-families. 27.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% 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 2.96.

The county population contained 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 25.40% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 91.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,093, and the median income for a family was $44,741. Males had a median income of $30,658 versus $19,874 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,670. About 6.00% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 7.10% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Henderson

York (county seat)

Villages

Benedict

Bradshaw

Gresham

Lushton

McCool Junction

Thayer

Waco

Former Communities

Charlestown

Houston

Government

The County Board of Commissioners is the executive and legislative authority of the county.

Politics

York County voters have traditionally been strong Republicans. In only one national election since 1916 has the county selected the Democratic Party candidate (as of 2024).

Education

School districts include:

Centennial Public Schools

Cross County Community Schools

Exeter-Milligan Public Schools

Heartland Community Schools

High Plains Community Schools

Hampton Public Schools

McCool Junction Public Schools

Sutton Public Schools

York Public Schools