Chase County, Nebraska | |
|---|---|
 Chase County Courthouse in Imperial | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofNebraska | |
 Nebraska's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:40°32′N101°41′W / 40.53°N 101.69°W /40.53; -101.69 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Nebraska |
| Founded | February 27, 1873 (authorized) 1886 (organized) |
| Named after | Champion S. Chase |
| Seat | Imperial |
| Largest city | Imperial |
| Area | |
• Total | 897 sq mi (2,320 km2) |
| • Land | 894 sq mi (2,320 km2) |
| • Water | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km2) 0.5% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 3,893 |
| • Density | 4.35/sq mi (1.68/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−7 (Mountain) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−6 (MDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | chasecounty |
Chase County is acounty in theU.S. state ofNebraska. As of the2020 United States census, the population was 3,893.[1] Itscounty seat isImperial.[2]
In theNebraska license plate system, Chase County is represented by the prefix 72 (it had the 72nd-most vehicles registered in the state when the license plate system was established in 1922).
Chase County was named afterChampion S. Chase, who served as mayor of Omaha for seven years and was Nebraska's first Attorney General.
Chase County was separated from Hayes County by the Nebraska legislature on February 27, 1873, although the county was not organized until 1886.[3][4]
It was once said that, excluding ranch owners, their wives, and their cooks, at the time Chase County was organized it was populated entirely by cowboys. Part of the reason for such a statement may have been the fact that at one timeFrenchman Creek and its main branch the Stinking Water Creek were used as watering stops forcattle drives that traveled fromTexas to the Union Pacific railhead atOgallala. These trails are known as the Western or Great Western trails.[5][6]
Chase County sits in the region once referred to as theGreat American Desert. However, on the broad, fertile plateau, early settlers quickly discovered that Chase County's dark sandy loam soil was excellent for farming.
The railroad came to Chase County in 1892, reaching Wauneta on January 28.[7] It was built by a division of theChicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. This line left the main line nearCulbertson and terminated in Imperial.
Chase County is served by a three-memberBoard of Commissioners. County officials are directly elected. It is a part of the 44th Legislative District of theNebraska Legislature.[13]
Chase County is on the west edge of Nebraska. Its west boundary line abuts the east boundary line of the state ofColorado. According to theUS Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 897 square miles (2,320 km2), of which 894 square miles (2,320 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (8.0 km2) (0.3%) is water.[14]
Chase County is geographically diverse. The spring-fedFrenchman Creek crosses the county from west to southeast. From Enders to Wauneta the path of the creek exposes limestone outcroppings. North of Wauneta is an area of significantloess deposits, including the typical steep-walled canyons. RollingSandhill formations are found in the north-central and southwestern areas of the county.
The Pierre Shale of Upper Cretaceous Age is the underlying structure of the region. At Enders Dam this formation is found at a depth of 175 feet (53 m) below the valley floor. The Ogallala Formation of Pliocene Age overlies the Pierre Shale. The Ogallala Formation is composed of fine to coarse sand, some gravel, calcareous silt, silty sands, silts and clays. Various degrees of calcareous cementation occur, resulting in lenses of varying loose unconsolidated to very firm compact materials at irregular intervals. The Ogallala beds lie almost horizontal and structural irregularities, such as faulting, have been observed in the area.[15]
The Ogallala Formation is of vital importance to the county and the surrounding areas. The associatedOgallala Aquifer is the primary source of water for the population and livestock, and an important input into agricultural economy of the county.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 70 | — | |
| 1890 | 4,807 | 6,767.1% | |
| 1900 | 2,559 | −46.8% | |
| 1910 | 3,613 | 41.2% | |
| 1920 | 4,939 | 36.7% | |
| 1930 | 5,484 | 11.0% | |
| 1940 | 5,310 | −3.2% | |
| 1950 | 5,176 | −2.5% | |
| 1960 | 4,317 | −16.6% | |
| 1970 | 4,129 | −4.4% | |
| 1980 | 4,758 | 15.2% | |
| 1990 | 4,381 | −7.9% | |
| 2000 | 4,068 | −7.1% | |
| 2010 | 3,966 | −2.5% | |
| 2020 | 3,893 | −1.8% | |
| US Decennial Census[18] 1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20] 1990-2000[21] 2010[22] | |||
As of the2000 United States census,[23] there were 4,068 people, 1,662 households, and 1,163 families in the county. Thepopulation density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km2). There were 1,927 housing units at an average density of 2 units per square mile (0.77/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.81%White, 0.17%Black orAfrican American, 0.10%Native American, 0.17%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 1.47% fromother races, and 0.25% from two or more races. 3.42% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 44.6% were ofGerman, 13.0%American, 12.3%English and 7.1%Irish ancestry.
There were 1,662 households, out of which 30.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.10% weremarried couples living together, 5.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 27.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.91.
The county population contained 25.20% under the age of 18, 5.90% from 18 to 24, 23.90% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 21.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,351, and the median income for a family was $39,225. Males had a median income of $27,554 versus $17,602 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,490. About 7.90% of families and 9.60% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.
Chase County economy is based on agriculture. A third of the county's area is under irrigation; another fourth is used fordry farming. The rest israngeland. Wheat, corn, edible beans (pintos, kidneys and great northerns), soybeans and sugar beets are the principal crops. Livestock production is equally important in the county's economy.[24] In 2007, sales of agricultural products exceeded $125 Million, with Corn ($96 Million) and Wheat ($11 Million) being the primary crops.[25]
The main highway routes crossing Chase County areU.S. Route 6 which crosses east–west andNebraska Highway 61 which crosses north–south.[26] The county is served by theNebraska Kansas & Colorado Railway. NKCR is an operating company ofOmniTRAX. This short line operates the branch line which interchanges with the BNSF. This line enters the county near the southeastern corner passing through Wauneta and Enders, terminating at Imperial.[27]
Lee Edward Travis - psychiatrist and speech pathologist
Chase County voters are strongly Republican. In no national election since 1936 has the county selected a Democratic Party candidate. In 2024,Donald Trump won the highest share of the vote ever in the county at 88.2%. Republicans also hold a significant advantage in voter registration in Chase County, with 1,902 registered Republicans compared with just 282 registered Democrats as of 2021.[28]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1900 | 313 | 51.57% | 274 | 45.14% | 20 | 3.29% |
| 1904 | 329 | 62.43% | 111 | 21.06% | 87 | 16.51% |
| 1908 | 400 | 51.61% | 338 | 43.61% | 37 | 4.77% |
| 1912 | 197 | 25.13% | 262 | 33.42% | 325 | 41.45% |
| 1916 | 369 | 37.39% | 551 | 55.83% | 67 | 6.79% |
| 1920 | 976 | 66.17% | 414 | 28.07% | 85 | 5.76% |
| 1924 | 919 | 48.17% | 570 | 29.87% | 419 | 21.96% |
| 1928 | 1,540 | 71.90% | 579 | 27.03% | 23 | 1.07% |
| 1932 | 948 | 38.62% | 1,408 | 57.35% | 99 | 4.03% |
| 1936 | 1,031 | 39.85% | 1,493 | 57.71% | 63 | 2.44% |
| 1940 | 1,557 | 63.27% | 904 | 36.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 1,444 | 69.02% | 648 | 30.98% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 1,094 | 59.78% | 736 | 40.22% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1952 | 1,941 | 80.74% | 463 | 19.26% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,444 | 68.31% | 670 | 31.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,482 | 69.28% | 657 | 30.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,081 | 54.38% | 907 | 45.62% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 1,171 | 67.81% | 363 | 21.02% | 193 | 11.18% |
| 1972 | 1,318 | 81.11% | 307 | 18.89% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 1,146 | 59.16% | 725 | 37.43% | 66 | 3.41% |
| 1980 | 1,593 | 75.75% | 324 | 15.41% | 186 | 8.84% |
| 1984 | 1,697 | 80.93% | 368 | 17.55% | 32 | 1.53% |
| 1988 | 1,446 | 69.45% | 597 | 28.67% | 39 | 1.87% |
| 1992 | 1,000 | 48.01% | 398 | 19.11% | 685 | 32.89% |
| 1996 | 1,277 | 68.88% | 365 | 19.69% | 212 | 11.43% |
| 2000 | 1,505 | 80.27% | 306 | 16.32% | 64 | 3.41% |
| 2004 | 1,652 | 83.73% | 302 | 15.31% | 19 | 0.96% |
| 2008 | 1,477 | 80.10% | 341 | 18.49% | 26 | 1.41% |
| 2012 | 1,584 | 84.84% | 254 | 13.60% | 29 | 1.55% |
| 2016 | 1,648 | 86.83% | 171 | 9.01% | 79 | 4.16% |
| 2020 | 1,740 | 87.00% | 226 | 11.30% | 34 | 1.70% |
| 2024 | 1,648 | 88.22% | 204 | 10.92% | 16 | 0.86% |
Places adjacent to Chase County, Nebraska | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofChase County, Nebraska,United States | ||
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