Cherry County, Nebraska
Encyclopedia
Cherry County is unusual in being split between two time zones, Mountain Time and Central Time. The lines between the two runs roughly north to south along the eastern third of the county. Cherry County is also the location of the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
, the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
, the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
, and the western portion of the Niobrara National Scenic River
.
As of the census
of 2000, there were 6,148 people, 2,508 households, and 1,710 families residing in the county. The population density
was 1.02 people per square mile (0.39/km²). There were 3,220 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.19% White
, 0.07% Black
or African American
, 3.25% Native American
, 0.42% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.33% from other races
, and 1.72% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 38.5% were of German
, 12.6% English
, 11.1% Irish
and 7.3% American
ancestry according to Census 2000.
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.
In the county the population was spread out with 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.
, is in the Central Time Zone, while the western two thirds, including Merriman
, are in the Mountain Time Zone.
Cherry County is one of the few US counties in two time zones. Gulf County, Florida
uses Eastern Time
and Central Time
. Idaho County, Idaho
, and Malheur County, Oregon
, use Mountain and Pacific time.
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge
Valentine National Wildlife Refuge is located in the U.S. state of Nebraska and includes 19,131 acres . The refuge protects a portion of the largest remaining area of tall and mid grass prairie remaining in the U.S. Collectively known as the sand hills region of Nebraska, the dunes were the...
, the Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge
Fort Niobrara National Wildlife Refuge is located in the U.S. state of Nebraska and includes 19,131 acres . The refuge borders the Niobrara National Scenic River on the west and is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. From 1879 to 1906, the Fort Niobrara Military Reservation was...
, the Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest
The Samuel R. McKelvie National Forest is located in the north-central Sandhills region of the U.S. state of Nebraska. Created on October 15, 1971 , the forest is named after former Governor Samuel R. McKelvie...
, and the western portion of the Niobrara National Scenic River
Niobrara National Scenic River
The Niobrara National Scenic River is located in north-central Nebraska, United States, approximately 300 miles northwest of Omaha. In 1991, Congress set aside 76 miles along two stretches of the Niobrara River for preservation under the management of the National Park Service with assistance...
.
Demographics
| Cherry County Population by decade |
1890 - 6,428 1900 - 6,541 1910 - 10,414 1920 - 11,753 1930 - 10,898 1940 - 9,637 1950 - 8,397 1960 - 8,218 1970 - 6,846 1980 - 6,758 1990 - 6,307 2000 - 6,148 |
As of the census
Census
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 6,148 people, 2,508 households, and 1,710 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1.02 people per square mile (0.39/km²). There were 3,220 housing units at an average density of 0 per square mile (0/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.19% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.07% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 3.25% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.42% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.33% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.72% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 38.5% were of German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 12.6% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 11.1% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 7.3% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
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
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
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.
In the county the population was spread out with 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
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
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.
Villages
- CodyCody, NebraskaCody is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. As of the 2000 census, the village had a total population of 149.-Geography:Cody is located at ....
- CrookstonCrookston, NebraskaCrookston is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 98 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Crookston is located at ....
- KilgoreKilgore, NebraskaKilgore is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 99 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Kilgore is located at ....
- MerrimanMerriman, NebraskaMerriman is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 118 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Merriman is located at ....
- NenzelNenzel, NebraskaNenzel is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 13 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Nenzel is located at ....
- Wood LakeWood Lake, NebraskaWood Lake is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 72 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Wood Lake is located at ....
Unincorporated communities
- Brownlee
- DeWittyDeWitty, NebraskaDeWitty, later renamed Audacious, was a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The settlement, which was founded in 1907 and disincorporated in 1936, was located north and west of Brownlee...
- ElsmereElsmere, NebraskaElsmere is an unincorporated community in southeastern Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. It lies along local roads southeast of the city of Valentine, the county seat of Cherry County. Its elevation is 2,687 feet . Although Elsmere is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP...
- SparksSparks, NebraskaSparks is an unincorporated community in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. Its elevation is 2,602 feet . Although Sparks is unincorporated, it has a post office, with the ZIP code of 69220....
Time zones
Cherry County is in both the Central and Mountain time zones. The eastern third of the county, including county seat ValentineValentine, Nebraska
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 2,820 people, 1,209 households, and 733 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,401.1 people per square mile . There were 1,373 housing units at an average density of 682.2 per square mile...
, is in the Central Time Zone, while the western two thirds, including Merriman
Merriman, Nebraska
Merriman is a village in Cherry County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 118 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Merriman is located at ....
, are in the Mountain Time Zone.
Cherry County is one of the few US counties in two time zones. Gulf County, Florida
Gulf County, Florida
Gulf County is a county located in the panhandle of the U.S. state of Florida. As of 2000, the population was 13,332. The U.S. Census Bureau 2005 estimate for the county is 13,975 . Its county seat is Port St. Joe.- History :...
uses Eastern Time
Eastern Time Zone
The Eastern Time Zone of the United States and Canada is a time zone that falls mostly along the east coast of North America. Its UTC time offset is −5 hrs during standard time and −4 hrs during daylight saving time...
and Central Time
Central Time zone
In North America, the Central Time Zone refers to national time zones which observe standard time by subtracting six hours from UTC , and daylight saving, or summer time by subtracting five hours...
. Idaho County, Idaho
Idaho County, Idaho
Idaho County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2010 Census the county had a population of 16,267. The county seat is Grangeville...
, and Malheur County, Oregon
Malheur County, Oregon
Malheur County is a county located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is included in the eight-county definition of Eastern Oregon. Most of the county observes the Mountain Time Zone, although the southern quarter of the county observes the Pacific Time Zone along with the...
, use Mountain and Pacific time.