Kearney, Nebraska

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Kearney, Nebraska
City
The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument, which spans Interstate 80
Location of Kearney within Nebraska and Buffalo County
Coordinates: 40°42′3″N 99°4′52″W / 40.70083°N 99.08111°W / 40.70083; -99.08111Coordinates: 40°42′3″N 99°4′52″W / 40.70083°N 99.08111°W / 40.70083; -99.08111
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
County	Buffalo
Government
• Type	Council–manager[1]
• Mayor	Stan Clouse
Area [2]
• Total	14.73 sq mi (38.16 km2)
• Land	14.46 sq mi (37.44 km2)
• Water	0.28 sq mi (0.72 km2)
Elevation	2,152 ft (656 m)
Population  (2010)[3]
• Total	30,787
• Estimate  (2019)[5]	33,867
• Density	2,342.60/sq mi (904.49/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes	68845, 68847, 68848 (P.O. Box), 68849 UNK
Area code(s)	308
FIPS code	31-25055
GNIS feature ID	0830442[4]
Website	www.cityofkearney.org

Kearney /ˈkɑːrni/^[6] is the county seat of Buffalo County, Nebraska, United States.^[7] The population was 30,787 in the 2010 census.^[8] It is home to the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The westward push of the railroad as the Civil War ended gave birth to the community.^[9]

Geography[]

Kearney is located at

40°42′3″N 99°4′52″W / 40.70083°N 99.08111°W / 40.70083; -99.08111 (40.700731, -99.081150).^[10][11] Strategically located on I-80 with convenient access to the major markets of Omaha-Lincoln, Denver, Kansas City, Des Moines, Wichita and Cheyenne, Kearney is at the center of a seven-state region and 20 million people.^[12]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 13.00 square miles (33.67 km²), of which 12.77 square miles (33.07 km²) is land and 0.23 square miles (0.60 km²) is water.^[13]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	1,782		—
1890	8,074		353.1%
1900	5,634		−30.2%
1910	6,202		10.1%
1920	7,702		24.2%
1930	8,575		11.3%
1940	9,643		12.5%
1950	12,115		25.6%
1960	14,210		17.3%
1970	19,181		35.0%
1980	21,158		10.3%
1990	24,396		15.3%
2000	27,431		12.4%
2010	30,787		12.2%
2019 (est.)	33,867	[5]	10.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[14] 2018 Estimate[15]

Kearney is the principal city of the Kearney, Nebraska Micropolitan Statistical Area, which consists of Buffalo and Kearney counties.

2010 census[]

As of the census^[3] of 2010, there were 30,787 people, 12,201 households, and 7,015 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,410.9 inhabitants per square mile (930.9/km²). There were 12,738 housing units at an average density of 997.5 per square mile (385.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 92.3% White, 1.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 3.1% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.3% of the population.

There were 12,201 households, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.7% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.5% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96 .

The median age in the city was 29 years. 22.2% of residents were under age 18; 20.5% were between ages 18 and 24; 25.6% were aged 25 to 44; 20.6% were aged 45 to 64; and 11.1% were aged 65 years or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.

2000 census[]

As of the census of 2000, there were 29,952 people, 10,549 households, and 6,160 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,498.5 people per square mile (964.6/km²). There were 11,099 housing units at an average density of 1,010.9 per square mile (390.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.18% White, 0.63% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.92% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.68% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.08% of the population.

There were 10,549 households, out of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.7% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.6% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.96 .

In the city, the population was spread out, with 22.2% under age 18, 23.9% from 18 to 24, 26.2% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 10.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.7 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $34,829, and the median income for a family was $46,650. Males had a median income of $30,150 versus $22,366 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,713. About 7.4% of families and 13.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 8.9% of those age 65 or over.

History[]

The original settlement in the area was called Dobytown, located 2 miles (3.2 km) southeast of the present-day Kearney. Later the city was moved and renamed after the nearby Fort Kearny (with an extra "e" added, but pronounced the same), a United States Army outpost along the Oregon Trail in the middle of the 19th century. The fort was named after Colonel (later General) Stephen W. Kearny.^[16] The "e" was added by mistake sometime afterwards by postmen who consistently misspelled the town name;^[17] eventually it just stuck. Kearney was incorporated on December 3, 1873. The current location of the city is on the north side of the Platte River and steadily grew as a result of the influence of the railroad.

In 1912, a Catholic Diocese was centered here. This status was removed in 1917, with the creation of other dioceses.^[18][19] In 1997, the city began to be used as a titular see by the Catholic Church.^[20]

Government[]

The council-manager form is used in Kearney. The City Council makes legislative and policy-making decisions. There are five members elected citywide to serve four-year terms which are staggered. The council manager form of government was adopted in 1950. Michael W. Morgan currently serves as city manager.

The council appoints a city manager to implement policies, prepare a budget, appoints department heads, and recommends areas that the council needs to attend. There are five members elected citywide serving staggered four-year terms. One member of the City Council is chosen by the council to be Mayor. Stanley Clouse is the Mayor.^[21][22]

Education[]

Primary and secondary schools[]

• Kearney Public Schools operates 3 preschools, 12 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and Kearney High School^[23]
• Zion Lutheran School
• Faith Christian School of Kearney
• Kearney West High School, at the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center^[24]
• Kearney Catholic High School

Tertiary education[]

• Central Community College has a branch campus in Kearney.^[25]

• University of Nebraska at Kearney (UNK) is located in the city. The campus is a 235-acre (0.95 km²) residential campus with more than 37 buildings. It was founded in 1905 as Nebraska State Normal School at Kearney and became Nebraska State Teachers College in 1921. Between 1963 and 1991 the school was known as Kearney State College. The college's name was changed to University of Nebraska at Kearney in 1991, when it joined the University of Nebraska system.

Economy[]

Companies headquartered in Kearney include Citizens Telecommunications Company of Nebraska and The Buckle.

According to Buffalo County Economic Development,^[26] the top non-manufacturing employers in the city are:

Top non-manufacturing employers

#	Employer	Employees
1	Good Samaritan Hospital	1,000+
2	University of Nebraska at Kearney	1,000+
3		850+
4	Kearney Public Schools	750–1,000
5	Buckle	500–750
6	Walmart	500–750
7	Cabela's	250–500
8	Cash-Wa	250–500
9	City of Kearney	250–500

The top manufacturing employers are:

Top manufacturing employers

#	Employer	Employees
1	Baldwin Filters	750–1,000
2	Eaton	250–500
3	West Pharmaceutical Services	250–500
4	Chief Industries	100–250
5	Marshall Engines	100–250
6	Morris Printing Group	100–250

Transportation[]

The city operates Kearney Regional Airport^[27] located east of the city. Commercial air service is available via United Express with twice-daily service to Denver International Airport, as well as a daily non-stop flight to O'Hare Airport in Chicago, IL.

The Union Pacific Railroad east-west main line runs through Kearney. For those who enjoy rail-spotting, has east-facing and west-facing cams at 5th Avenue and North Railroad Street for broadcasting on YouTube. The closest Amtrak station, a stop on the California Zephyr between Chicago, IL and Emeryville, CA (near San Francisco), is in Holdrege, NE, 50 km (31 miles) southwest of Kearney.

Greyhound Bus Lines stops to pick up or discharge passengers in Kearney at 112 W. Talmadge Rd.

Local attractions[]

Kearney is home to several museums, many of which reflect its location on the California, Mormon, Oregon, and Pony Express trails, and the Lincoln Highway.

• The Great Platte River Road Archway Monument spans Interstate 80 at mile marker 274 and contains exhibits that trace the history of the Great Platte River Road from the Oregon Trail days to the present.^[28] President Bill Clinton toured the Great Platte River Road Archway Monument on December 8, 2000, while on a visit to Kearney.^[29] Jack Nicholson was filmed in a scene at the Archway for the movie About Schmidt.^[30]
• The Museum of Nebraska Art, the state's official art collection, houses artworks spanning 175 years, from the 19th century to the present.^[31]
• The George W. Frank House is an 1890s historic mansion located at the University of Nebraska at Kearney. The Robert M. Merryman Performing Arts Center, located in the city's Central Elementary School, is a 750 seat theater completed in 2006.^[32]
• The Trails & Rails Museum is home to many of the county's historic structures from the late 1800s-through the mid-1900s.
• The 5,500 seat Viaero Event Center hosts concerts, events, and performances, and is home to the Tri-City Storm, a United States Hockey League team.^[33]
• In 2013, the Shrine Bowl State High School All-Star Football Game was moved from Lincoln to Kearney.^[34]
• Two microbreweries, Thunderhead Brewing and the Platte Valley Brewery, are located in downtown Kearney.^[35]
• The Classic Car Collection is an automotive museum containing over 210 automobiles.^[36]

Local media[]

Newspaper

• Kearney Hub

Radio

• KGFW AM 1340
• KXPN (AM) 1460
• KKPR-FM 98.9
• KRNY FM 102.3
• KQKY FM 105.9
• KHGI-TV

Notable people[]

• Drew Anderson, MLB player
• Jon Bokenkamp, writer and producer
• Solomon Butcher, photographer of the Homestead era in Nebraska, lived in Kearney for about a decade, beginning in 1902
• Alexander H. Conner, politician
• Leslie Easterbrook, actress
• Tom Kropp, professional basketball player
• James A. Lake, evolutionary biologist
• Kyle Larson, NFL player
• Lorraine Langford, Nebraska politician
• Stephen R. Lawhead, author
• Brett Maher, NFL player
• David Martin, congressman
• Andy Pessoa, actor
• Peter George Peterson, U.S. Secretary of Commerce 1972–73, co-founder of the Blackstone Group
• Ryan Quincy, Emmy winning Animator, Producer, and Voice Actor
• Tim Schlattmann, screenwriter
• Dan Schlissel, record producer and label founder (Stand Up! Records, -ismist Recordings)
• Kathy Lou Schultz, poet and scholar
• Charlie Tuna, radio personality,
• Elizabeth T. Uldall, linguist
• Chuck Welch, artist
• Don Welch, American poet and academic, professor at the University of Nebraska at Kearney
• Dale E. Wolf, businessman and politician

Sports[]

• Kearney Yankees, 1956–1959, minor league baseball team affiliated with the New York Yankees
• Tri-City Storm, Tier I junior ice hockey team in the West Division of the United States Hockey League (USHL)

In popular culture[]

• Dexter (season 6), episode 7 ("Nebraska", airdate November 13, 2011) was set in Kearney, Nebraska, in large part because the show's co-executive producer, Tim Schlattmann, is a 1981 Kearney High School graduate.^[37][38] In "Nebraska," whose departure in multiple ways from previous Dexter episodes was (for the most part) favorably received,^[39] witness protection has relocated the Trinity Killer's surviving family to Kearney, where a copycat killer appears to have murdered Trinity's widow and daughter, so Dexter travels to Kearney to avenge the killings. Numerous elements in the episode underscore Kearney's rural setting and culture, some sinister, and farm-specific settings and implements add variety to Dexter's methods of killing and corpse disposal.^[40]

References[]

External links[]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Kearney, Nebraska.

• "City of Kearney". cityofkearney.org.
• "Kearney Hub". kearneyhub.com (local newspaper).
• "Buffalo County Economic Development Council". www.ci.kearney.ne.us.
• "Kearney" . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). 1911.