Nebraska City, Nebraska 2025

Nebraska City is a city in Otoe County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 7,225 at the 2020 census.

Nebraska City is part of the Lincoln, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In 1853, the Nebraska Territory legislature created Otoe County, and Nebraska City was selected as the county seat. It was incorporated as a city in 1855.

Nebraska City thrived as a river port and outfitting site during the 1850s, serving settlers going west. During the Civil War, it became a major recruiting center for the Union army. In the 1870s, the town's first grain elevator was erected, and the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad arrived, enhancing the city's importance as a commercial and transportation hub.

By the 1880s, Nebraska City's cultural and educational institutions were thriving. The city's first public library was established in 1881, and in 1883, the Otoe County Agricultural Society organized the first Nebraska State Fair, held in Nebraska City every August. The Arbor Lodge, a 52-room mansion completed in 1884 as a summer home for wealthy Omaha businessman Morton Walter George, was also built in the late 1880s.

Arbor Day, started by Julius Sterling Morton in 1872, became a nationally observed day, with more than a million trees being planted in Nebraska on the first Arbor Day. From Nebraska City, a statewide Arbor Day celebration is held every April, concluding with a parade and the naming of a "Tree Planter's Gold Metal" winner. Other prominent buildings include the 1888 Otoe County Courthouse (the state's oldest courthouse that is still in use), the 1855 Missouri River bridge (the state's oldest river bridge), a former International Order of Odd Fellows building constructed in 1855, and the 1872 First Presbyterian Church.

In 1927, petroleum was discovered in nearby Table Rock, leading to a short-lived oil rush.

During World War II, the Nebraska City Army Air Field opened in 1942 as a training base and POW camp. It was deactivated in 1945 and partially converted into the Peru State College campus.

Sites related to the city's history and culture—including the Mayhew House, built in 1855 and now a museum—are kept by the Nebraska City Historical Society. Part of the former railroad right-of-way between Nebraska City and Omaha has been repurposed as the Missouri River Bluffs Scenic Byway, a high point of which is the campground at Art's BBQ near Koa, Nebraska, where a memorial to Chief Standing Bear is being planned.

Nebraska City celebrated its sesquicentennial in 2006, with festivities throughout the year. A historical book about the town was published the same year.

Nebraska City has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa), with hot summers and cold winters. The normal monthly mean temperature ranges from 24.8 °F (−4 °C) in January to 75.4 °F (24.1 °C) in July. The annual precipitation of 34.67 inches (880 mm) is concentrated in spring and summer, with April being the wettest month. On average, 78 afternoons during a year do not top freezing, which can occur as late as April 13 during the spring.

According to the 2020 United States Census, Nebraska City had a population of 7,206. The racial makeup of the city was 86.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 2.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

As of the census of 2000, there were 7,222 people, 2,897 households, and 1,972 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,671.3 people per square mile (643.6/km2). There were 3,148 housing units at an average density of 712.4 per square mile (274.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.29% White, 0.47% African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 6.47% from other races, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 2,897 households, out of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% 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 2.97.

Age spread: 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 25.1% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,814, and the median income for a family was $50,582. Males had a median income of $32,375 versus $24,284 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,615. About 6.3% of families and 8.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.2% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.

Nebraska City has a council-manager form of government. The city is divided into four wards, with two council members representing each ward.

The present mayor is Bryan Bequette, who has been in office since 2014. Council members include:

Ward 1:

Curtis W. Nelson

Gregory F. R. Wailes

Ward 2:

Kent R. Bures

L. J. McDowell

Ward 3:

J. Jason J. R. Jensen

Charles H. Wilkinson, Jr.

Ward 4:

C. Tim Allen

Randy L. Zimmerman

Attorney William E. (Bill) Keith is the City Attorney.

Nebraska City is served by the Nebraska City News Press, a weekly newspaper, and KNCY-AM (1600) "The Breeze," a classic hits-formatted radio station.

Local attractions include the Missouri River, the historic downtown area, and the numerous parks in the area.

The Nebraska City Public Schools encompasses six schools, including Nebraska City Elementary School, Nebraska City Middle School, and Nebraska City High School, which have approximately 2,300 students total. Nebraska City is also home to Concordia University, Nebraska, formerly known as Concordia Teachers College, and the Educational Service Unit 4 headquarters.

Major highways in Nebraska City include U.S. Highways 75 and 136. The southern terminus of the Nebraska City, Shubert, and Brownsville rail line of the Union Pacific Railroad is located in the city