In theNebraska license plate system, Otoe County is represented by the prefix 11 (it had the 11th-largest number of vehicles registered in the county when the license plate system was established in 1922).
Otoe County lies on the east side of Nebraska. Its east boundary line abuts the west boundary lines of the states ofIowa andMissouri (across theMissouri River). The terrain of Otoe County consists of rolling hills which drop down to the river basin, and rich soil. The area is largely devoted to agriculture (corn, soybeans, milo, wheat, and fruit orchards). The county has a total area of 619 square miles (1,600 km2), of which 616 square miles (1,600 km2) is land and 3.4 square miles (8.8 km2) (0.5%) is water.[4]
Otoe County derives its name from theOtoe Indians, who lived in the area.[5]
There were 6,060 households, out of which 32.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% weremarried couples living together, 7.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.20% were non-families. 26.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.01.
The county population contained 26.30% under the age of 18, 6.40% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 18.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,302, and the median income for a family was $45,295. Males had a median income of $30,682 versus $21,520 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $17,752. About 5.90% of families and 8.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 9.30% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.
Otoe County voters have been very Republican since Nebraska became a state, like most rural Nebraska counties. In no presidential election has the county supported the Democratic nominee since voting in 1932 forFranklin Delano Roosevelt.
United States presidential election results for Otoe County, Nebraska[12]
^May, Jon D. (2009)."Otoe-Missouria".Oklahoma Historical Society's Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture. Archived fromthe original on July 20, 2010.