Nemaha County, Kansas

Nemaha County, Kansas
County
Jail and sheriff residence in Seneca (2015)
Jail and sheriff residence in Seneca (2015)
Map of Kansas highlighting Nemaha County
Location within the U.S. state of Kansas
Coordinates: 39°48′N 96°01′W / 39.800°N 96.017°W / 39.800; -96.017
Country United States
State Kansas
FoundedAugust 25, 1855
Named afterNemaha River
SeatSeneca
Largest citySabetha
Area
 • Total
719 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Land717 sq mi (1,860 km2)
 • Water2.0 sq mi (5.2 km2)  0.3%
Population
 (2020)[1]
 • Total
10,273
 • Estimate 
(2025)
10,054 Decrease
 • Density14.3/sq mi (5.53/km2)
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
Area code785
Congressional district2nd
Websitenmcoks.us

Nemaha County is a county located in the northeastern part of the U.S. state of Kansas. Its county seat is Seneca.[2] As of the 2020 census, the county population was 10,273.[1] The county was named for the Nemaha River.

History

Early history

For many millennia the Great Plains of North America was inhabited by nomadic Native Americans. From the 16th century to 18th century, the Kingdom of France claimed ownership of large parts of North America. In 1762, after the French and Indian War, France secretly ceded New France to Spain, per the Treaty of Fontainebleau.

19th century

In 1802, Spain returned most of the land to France, but keeping title to about 7,500 square miles. In 1803, most of the land for modern day Kansas was acquired by the United States from France as part of the 828,000 square mile Louisiana Purchase for 2.83 cents per acre.

In 1854, the Kansas Territory was organized, then in 1861 Kansas became the 34th U.S. state. In 1855, Nemaha County was established.

The first railroad in Nemaha County was built in 1866.[3]

On May 30, 1879, the "Irving, Kansas Tornado" passed through Nemaha county. This tornado measured F4 on the Fujita scale, and had a damage path 800 yards (730 m) wide and 100 miles (160 km) long. Eighteen people were killed and sixty were injured in this tornado.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 719 square miles (1,860 km2), of which 717 square miles (1,860 km2) is land and 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2) (0.3%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18602,436—
18707,339201.3%
188012,46269.8%
189019,24954.5%
190020,3765.9%
191019,072−6.4%
192018,487−3.1%
193018,342−0.8%
194016,761−8.6%
195014,341−14.4%
196012,897−10.1%
197011,825−8.3%
198011,211−5.2%
199010,446−6.8%
200010,7172.6%
201010,178−5.0%
202010,2730.9%
2025 (est.)10,054[5] Decrease−2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2020[1]

Racial and ethnic composition

Nemaha County, Kansas – 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[10] Pop 1990[11] Pop 2000[12] Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 11,101 10,365 10,492 9,843 9,622 99.02% 99.22% 97.90% 96.71% 93.66%
Black or African American alone (NH) 33 37 51 51 64 0.29% 0.35% 0.48% 0.50% 0.62%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 16 13 24 42 26 0.14% 0.12% 0.22% 0.41% 0.25%
Asian alone (NH) 23 16 11 15 35 0.21% 0.15% 0.10% 0.15% 0.34%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [15] x [16] 6 4 7 x x 0.06% 0.04% 0.07%
Other race alone (NH) 5 1 0 4 10 0.04% 0.01% 0.00% 0.04% 0.10%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [17] x [18] 57 98 243 x x 0.53% 0.96% 2.37%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 33 14 76 121 266 0.29% 0.13% 0.71% 1.19% 2.59%
Total 11,211 10,446 10,717 10,178 10,273 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%


2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 10,273. The median age was 40.4 years. 26.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.3 males age 18 and over. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[19][20][21]

The racial makeup of the county was 94.4% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 3.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.6% of the population.[21]

There were 4,040 households in the county, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 19.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[20]

There were 4,490 housing units, of which 10.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 77.8% were owner-occupied and 22.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.3% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.4%.[20]

2000 census

As of the census[22] of 2000, there were 10,717 people, 3,959 households, and 2,763 families residing in the county. The population density was 15 people per square mile (5.8 people/km2). There were 4,340 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2).

The racial makeup of the county was 98.35% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.71% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 3,959 households, out of which 34.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples living together, 5.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 28.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.20.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.50% under the age of 18, 6.00% from 18 to 24, 24.10% from 25 to 44, 19.40% from 45 to 64, and 22.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 97.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,296, and the median income for a family was $41,838. Males had a median income of $28,879 versus $19,340 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,121. About 6.50% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.90% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Presidential elections

Nemaha County is strongly Republican. Lyndon Johnson is the only Democrat to have carried the county since 1936.

Presidential election results
United States presidential election results for Nemaha County, Kansas[23][24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1888 2,515 56.54% 1,682 37.81% 251 5.64%
1892 2,222 49.73% 0 0.00% 2,246 50.27%
1896 2,568 50.49% 2,478 48.72% 40 0.79%
1900 2,761 53.45% 2,348 45.45% 57 1.10%
1904 2,764 61.93% 1,564 35.04% 135 3.02%
1908 2,394 51.57% 2,182 47.01% 66 1.42%
1912 961 22.19% 1,936 44.71% 1,433 33.09%
1916 3,591 49.19% 3,579 49.03% 130 1.78%
1920 4,655 72.32% 1,731 26.89% 51 0.79%
1924 4,096 60.24% 1,846 27.15% 857 12.60%
1928 4,639 61.10% 2,919 38.45% 34 0.45%
1932 3,167 40.60% 4,578 58.69% 55 0.71%
1936 3,903 47.76% 4,175 51.09% 94 1.15%
1940 5,178 65.64% 2,679 33.96% 32 0.41%
1944 4,277 66.44% 2,149 33.39% 11 0.17%
1948 3,529 55.39% 2,810 44.11% 32 0.50%
1952 5,175 75.97% 1,618 23.75% 19 0.28%
1956 4,195 67.11% 2,038 32.60% 18 0.29%
1960 3,360 53.61% 2,884 46.02% 23 0.37%
1964 2,391 42.07% 3,260 57.36% 32 0.56%
1968 3,003 54.01% 1,925 34.62% 632 11.37%
1972 3,422 64.06% 1,777 33.26% 143 2.68%
1976 2,759 50.71% 2,586 47.53% 96 1.76%
1980 3,546 64.99% 1,600 29.33% 310 5.68%
1984 3,653 66.60% 1,761 32.11% 71 1.29%
1988 2,849 54.98% 2,261 43.63% 72 1.39%
1992 2,220 39.51% 1,580 28.12% 1,819 32.37%
1996 3,014 56.07% 1,648 30.66% 713 13.27%
2000 3,578 67.64% 1,494 28.24% 218 4.12%
2004 4,027 73.71% 1,355 24.80% 81 1.48%
2008 3,817 71.23% 1,432 26.72% 110 2.05%
2012 3,930 78.19% 1,000 19.90% 96 1.91%
2016 4,124 80.52% 725 14.15% 273 5.33%
2020 4,664 82.05% 927 16.31% 93 1.64%
2024 4,655 82.83% 888 15.80% 77 1.37%

Laws

Nemaha County was a prohibition, or "dry", county until the Kansas Constitution was amended in 1986 and voters approved the sale of alcoholic liquor by the individual drink with a 30% food sales requirement.[25]

Education

Unified school districts

School district office in neighboring county

Communities

2005 map of Nemaha County[26] (map legend)

List of townships / incorporated cities / unincorporated communities / extinct former communities within Nemaha County.[26]

Cities

‡ means a community has portions in an adjacent county.

Unincorporated communities

† means a community is designated a Census-Designated Place (CDP) by the United States Census Bureau.

Townships

Nemaha County is divided into twenty townships. The cities of Sabetha and Seneca are considered governmentally independent and are excluded from the census figures for the townships. In the following table, the population center is the largest city (or cities) included in that township's population total, if it is of a significant size.

Sources: 2000 U.S. Gazetteer from the U.S. Census Bureau.
TownshipFIPSPopulation
center		 PopulationPopulation
density
/km2 (/sq mi)		 Land area
km2 (sq mi)		Water area
km2 (sq mi)		Water % Geographic coordinates
Adams002752132 (6)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%39°46′38″N 95°57′36″W / 39.77722°N 95.96000°W / 39.77722; -95.96000
Berwick063753914 (11)93 (36)0 (0)0.02%39°57′11″N 95°50′11″W / 39.95306°N 95.83639°W / 39.95306; -95.83639
Capioma105751612 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.03%39°47′28″N 95°51′18″W / 39.79111°N 95.85500°W / 39.79111; -95.85500
Center119002002 (6)94 (36)0 (0)0%39°46′37″N 96°11′15″W / 39.77694°N 96.18750°W / 39.77694; -96.18750
Clear Creek137751231 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0%39°57′27″N 96°10′56″W / 39.95750°N 96.18222°W / 39.95750; -96.18222
Gilman262752232 (6)93 (36)0 (0)0.19%39°52′1″N 95°57′14″W / 39.86694°N 95.95389°W / 39.86694; -95.95389
Grenada272751221 (3)93 (36)0 (0)0.06%39°41′23″N 95°51′10″W / 39.68972°N 95.85278°W / 39.68972; -95.85278
Harrison303753994 (11)93 (36)0 (0)0.06%39°41′22″N 95°56′55″W / 39.68944°N 95.94861°W / 39.68944; -95.94861
Home329005676 (16)91 (35)3 (1)3.12%39°42′36″N 96°9′17″W / 39.71000°N 96.15472°W / 39.71000; -96.15472
Illinois337254535 (13)93 (36)0 (0)0%39°41′13″N 96°3′41″W / 39.68694°N 96.06139°W / 39.68694; -96.06139
Marion447754575 (13)94 (36)0 (0)0.02%39°51′48″N 96°11′32″W / 39.86333°N 96.19222°W / 39.86333; -96.19222
Mitchell474753053 (9)93 (36)0 (0)0%39°47′25″N 96°3′43″W / 39.79028°N 96.06194°W / 39.79028; -96.06194
Nemaha496251842 (5)92 (35)0 (0)0%39°57′4″N 96°3′44″W / 39.95111°N 96.06222°W / 39.95111; -96.06222
Neuchatel500501171 (3)94 (36)0 (0)0%39°36′27″N 96°11′25″W / 39.60750°N 96.19028°W / 39.60750; -96.19028
Red Vermillion587501371 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.02%39°36′17″N 96°4′0″W / 39.60472°N 96.06667°W / 39.60472; -96.06667
Reilly589001532 (4)93 (36)0 (0)0.07%39°36′47″N 95°57′12″W / 39.61306°N 95.95333°W / 39.61306; -95.95333
Richmond597255386 (16)89 (34)0 (0)0%39°51′34″N 96°3′49″W / 39.85944°N 96.06361°W / 39.85944; -96.06361
Rock Creek606003023 (9)88 (34)0 (0)0.28%39°52′32″N 95°50′8″W / 39.87556°N 95.83556°W / 39.87556; -95.83556
Washington756754655 (13)93 (36)0 (0)0.01%39°57′41″N 95°57′44″W / 39.96139°N 95.96222°W / 39.96139; -95.96222
Wetmore775755035 (14)93 (36)0 (0)0.02%39°37′35″N 95°49′43″W / 39.62639°N 95.82861°W / 39.62639; -95.82861

See also

Community information for Kansas

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts; Nemaha County, Kansas; Population, Census, 2020 & 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on August 18, 2021. Retrieved August 18, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Blackmar, Frank Wilson (1912). Kansas: A Cyclopedia of State History, Volume 2. Standard Publishing Company. pp. 345.
  4. ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
  5. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 14, 2026.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  9. ↑ "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 July 27, 2014.
  10. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas- Table 15 Persons by Race: 198О • Table 16 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 12-21. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 12, 2025.
  11. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Kansas: Tables 4, 5, 6 - Race and Hispanic Origin" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 11-44. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 24, 2026.
  12. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Nemaha County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Nemaha County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Nemaha County, Kansas". United States Census Bureau.
  15. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  16. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  17. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  18. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  19. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  20. 1 2 3 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  21. 1 2 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 16, 2025.
  22. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  23. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  24. ↑ Schwab, Scott (November 5, 2024). "Election Results". Secretary of State of Kansas. Retrieved April 13, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Map of Wet and Dry Counties". Alcoholic Beverage Control, Kansas Department of Revenue. November 2006. Archived from the original on October 8, 2007. Retrieved December 28, 2007.
  26. 1 2 "General Highway Map of Nemaha County, Kansas" (PDF). Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). January 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 28, 2024.
Notes

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