Seward, Nebraska

Seward, Nebraska
City
Downtown Seward: west side of courthouse square
Location of Seward within Seward County and Nebraska
Coordinates: 40°54′40″N 97°5′49″W / 40.91111°N 97.09694°W / 40.91111; -97.09694Coordinates: 40°54′40″N 97°5′49″W / 40.91111°N 97.09694°W / 40.91111; -97.09694
Country	United States
State	Nebraska
County	Seward
Area [1]
• Total	4.49 sq mi (11.63 km2)
• Land	4.46 sq mi (11.54 km2)
• Water	0.04 sq mi (0.09 km2)
Elevation	1,493 ft (455 m)
Population  (2010)[2]
• Total	6,964
• Estimate  (2019)[3]	7,216
• Density	1,619.39/sq mi (625.31/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	68434
Area code(s)	402
FIPS code	31-44420
GNIS feature ID	0833348 [4]
Website	cityofsewardne.com

Seward is a city and county seat of Seward County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 6,964 at the 2010 census. Seward is part of the Lincoln, Nebraska Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is known for its large Fourth of July celebration.

History[]

Seward was platted in 1868.^[5] It was named from Seward County.^[6] The railroad was built through Seward in 1873.^[7]

Geography[]

Seward is located at

40°54′40″N 97°5′49″W / 40.91111°N 97.09694°W / 40.91111; -97.09694 (40.911216, -97.096972).^[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.31 square miles (11.16 km²), of which 4.27 square miles (11.06 km²) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km²) is water.^[9]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1880	1,525		—
1890	2,108		38.2%
1900	1,970		−6.5%
1910	2,106		6.9%
1920	2,368		12.4%
1930	2,737		15.6%
1940	2,826		3.3%
1950	3,154		11.6%
1960	4,208		33.4%
1970	5,294		25.8%
1980	5,713		7.9%
1990	5,634		−1.4%
2000	6,319		12.2%
2010	6,964		10.2%
2019 (est.)	7,216	[3]	3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[10]

2010 census[]

At the 2010 census there were 6,964 people, 2,521 households, and 1,653 families living in the city. The population density was 1,630.9 inhabitants per square mile (629.7/km²). There were 2,796 housing units at an average density of 654.8 per square mile (252.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.8% White, 0.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 1.9%.^[2]

Of the 2,521 households 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 30.2% of households were one person and 15.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age was 32.4 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.5% were from 25 to 44; 22% were from 45 to 64; and 15.1% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census[]

At the 2000 census, there were 6,319 people, 2,281 households, and 1,494 families living in the city. The population density was 1,930.9 people per square mile (746.1/km²). There were 2,415 housing units at an average density of 737.9 per square mile (285.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.97% White, 0.46% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.36% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 0.98% of the population.

Of the 2,281 households 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.6% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 29.8% of households were one person and 16.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.99.

The age distribution was 22.6% under the age of 18, 20.1% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% 65 or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.4 males.

The median household income was $41,264, and the median family income was $54,808. Males had a median income of $33,828 versus $22,231 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,668. About 4.1% of families and 6.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.

Fourth of July City[]

Seward has celebrated US Independence Day on July 4 almost every year since 1868. Before the automobile came into general use, special trains were run to bring people to the event. In 1973, Governor J. James Exon issued a proclamation designating Seward "Nebraska's Official 4th of July City." In 1976, the city was chosen to host Nebraska's July 4 celebrations for the United States Bicentennial. In 1979, a resolution in the US Congress named Seward "America's Official Fourth of July City—Small Town USA." Recent attendance has been estimated at about 40,000.^[11][12]

Education[]

Seward Public Schools is the only public district in the city. It operates Seward Elementary School, Seward Middle School, and Seward High School. In addition, St. John Lutheran Elementary and Junior High School provide a LCMS Lutheran education and St. Vincent de Paul provides a Roman Catholic education.

Concordia University is located in Seward.

Notable people[]

• Seth Christian, filmmaker
• Theodore C. Diers, Wyoming state representative and senator
• John Folda, bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo
• Joel D. Heck, Lutheran theologian
• Amy Heidemann, singer, songwriter of Karmin
• Sam Koch, professional football player
• Mark Kolterman, Nebraska state legislator
• Reinhold Marxhausen, artist
• Quentin Neujahr, professional football player
• Thad Weber, baseball player
• , Famous Runner and Coach
• Andrea von Kampen, musician
• Francis Vreeland, painter
• Bub Weller, professional football player

References[]

External links[]

• City of Seward