Tekamah, Nebraska
Encyclopedia
Tekamah is a city in Burt County
, Nebraska
, United States
. The population was 1,736 at the 2010 census
. It is the county seat
of Burt County
.
A peculiar method produced the town's name. According to the diary of Colonel B.R. Folsom, who worked with the original townsite company, Tekamah was literally chosen by the luck of the draw. When the decision had been reached to make the location a settlement, a problem arose in naming it. It was agreed that each of the exploration parties should write their favorite name on a slip of paper and drop it into a hat. The first name drawn out would then become the official name of the community. The first name drawn was "Tekamah."
A surveyor, William Byers, contributed the name. An Indian translation defines Tekamah as meaning "big cottonwoods," and this is appropriate due to the large cottonwood trees that grew along the banks of Tekamah creek and were scattered over the territory. Another translation found through research says the name "Teka-mah" comes from the Egyptian or Arabic language and means "bloody battlefield." Researchers claim that centuries ago many tribes of Indians collided with a pale-faced foe in the Tekamah valley. During the years following the settling of the area, documentation was found indicating that many exposed human bones were found. The translation in either language is appropriate as there is evidence enough for both. It is unclear which translation prompted Byers to suggest it as a contender. To this day Tekamah is a name that belongs exclusively to Burt County. Pronounced Tek-KAY-mah
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 1,892 people, 778 households, and 522 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,492.2 people per square mile (575.2/km²). There were 833 housing units at an average density of 657.0 per square mile (253.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.05% White, 0.11% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.05% Asian, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.
There were 778 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples
living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,708, and the median income for a family was $41,688. Males had a median income of $30,650 versus $21,125 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,836. About 5.7% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Burt County, Nebraska
-History:Burt County was formed in 1854. It was named after Francis Burt, the first governor of Nebraska Territory.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,791 people, 3,155 households, and 2,240 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile . ...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 1,736 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. It is the county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Burt County
Burt County, Nebraska
-History:Burt County was formed in 1854. It was named after Francis Burt, the first governor of Nebraska Territory.-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 7,791 people, 3,155 households, and 2,240 families residing in the county. The population density was 16 people per square mile . ...
.
History
A claim was staked to establish Tekamah as a town in October 1854. On March 14, 1855, Tekamah became an incorporated city by an act of the first territorial legislature of Nebraska.A peculiar method produced the town's name. According to the diary of Colonel B.R. Folsom, who worked with the original townsite company, Tekamah was literally chosen by the luck of the draw. When the decision had been reached to make the location a settlement, a problem arose in naming it. It was agreed that each of the exploration parties should write their favorite name on a slip of paper and drop it into a hat. The first name drawn out would then become the official name of the community. The first name drawn was "Tekamah."
A surveyor, William Byers, contributed the name. An Indian translation defines Tekamah as meaning "big cottonwoods," and this is appropriate due to the large cottonwood trees that grew along the banks of Tekamah creek and were scattered over the territory. Another translation found through research says the name "Teka-mah" comes from the Egyptian or Arabic language and means "bloody battlefield." Researchers claim that centuries ago many tribes of Indians collided with a pale-faced foe in the Tekamah valley. During the years following the settling of the area, documentation was found indicating that many exposed human bones were found. The translation in either language is appropriate as there is evidence enough for both. It is unclear which translation prompted Byers to suggest it as a contender. To this day Tekamah is a name that belongs exclusively to Burt County. Pronounced Tek-KAY-mah
Geography
Tekamah is located at 41°46′41"N 96°13′21"W (41.778008, -96.222546).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
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 1,892 people, 778 households, and 522 families residing in the city. 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 1,492.2 people per square mile (575.2/km²). There were 833 housing units at an average density of 657.0 per square mile (253.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 99.05% White, 0.11% African American, 0.48% Native American, 0.05% Asian, and 0.32% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.79% of the population.
There were 778 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% 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, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out with 25.3% under the age of 18, 6.9% from 18 to 24, 23.6% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 22.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 88.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $35,708, and the median income for a family was $41,688. Males had a median income of $30,650 versus $21,125 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 city was $16,836. About 5.7% of families and 7.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over.
Notable natives
- Hoot GibsonHoot GibsonHoot Gibson was an American rodeo champion and a pioneer cowboy film actor, director and producer.-Early life and career:...
, rodeo champion and early cowboy film actor, director, and producer