Cedar County

General

Population:  8,380
Land area (sq. mi.):  740.24
Population per square mile:  11.3

Race & Age

Race 2020

White:  95.6%
African American:  0.3%
American Indian:  0.2%
Asian:  0.1%
Hispanic:  2.2%
Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander:  0.0%
Two or More Races:  1.6%

Age 2020

0-17:  25.7%
18-64:  51.9%
65+:  22.4%

Households

Total households:  3,380  2020
With one child:  310  2022
With 2+ children:  660  2022
With seniors (65+):  1,110  2022

Socioeconomics

Personal income per capita:  $62,600  2021
% of Population in Poverty:  8.2%  2022
# of Housing Units:  3,900  2020
2023 housing unit building permits: 10
Owner-occupied rate:  80.6%  2020
Median home price:  $184,850  Q1 2024

Technology

Access to broadband (100 Mbps via fiber or cable modem):  70.8%  2021

Sources: National Association of Realtors, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Library Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Census Bureau (building permits), U.S. Census Bureau (demographics), U.S. Census Bureau (municipalities)

Employment, Schools, and Child Care

Unemployment rate:  1.7%  Sept. 2024

County Employment Website:  https://nebraskacounties.org/nebraska-counties/county-employment-opportunities.html

High school graduate or higher:  93.5%  2020

School Districts:  Hartington Newcastle Public Schools, Laural-Concord-Coleridge School, Randolph Public Schools, Wausa Public Schools, Wynot Public Schools

Bachelor's degree or higher:  21.0%  2020

Community College Service Area:  Northeast Community College

Countywide child care capacity:  9 providers; 232 children

Find child care:  For a list of child care providers in your zip code, visit Nebraska DHHS or the Nebraska Resource and Referral System.

Cedar County Economy

Annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP):  $592,908,000  2022

Nonfarm Small Business Receipts:  $216,610,941  2021

Nonfarm Wage Income:  $157,400,000  2022

• Nonfarm small business receipts are reported by partnerships & sole proprietorships and do not include receipts reported by cooperative associations. Nonfarm wage income may include wages earned from Cedar County businesses by commuters or teleworkers residing outside of Nebraska.

Farm & Ranch Commodity Sales Receipts:  $610,198,000  2022

Farm & Ranch Operations (Non-Sales) Receipts:  $27,031,000  2022

• Farm & ranch receipt totals for commodity sales and operations are reported by producers operating principally in Cedar County and include those producers' receipts from production in other counties. The totals do not include receipts from sales and operations in Cedar County reported by producers operating principally in other counties.

Cattle Producers:  364

• Pastureland Cash Rent (avg.):  $65/acre  2024

Crop Producers:  287

• Dryland Cash Rent (avg.):  $240/acre  2024
• Irrigated Land Cash Rent (avg.):  $365/acre  2024

Dairy Producers:  13

Grain Elevators by Location (bushels capacity): 

• Belden: Belden Grain (647,468)
• Bow Valley: CVA (957,000)
• Fordyce: Fordyce Co-op Lumber & Supply (745,137), Fordyce Farmers (1,121,688)
• Hartington: Bow Valley Elevator (502,557)
• Laurel: CVA (3,756,000), North Side Grain (1,065,000)
• Randolph: Dixon Elevator (1,406,917)
• (1 bushel = 56 lbs. corn/sorghum, 60 lbs. soybeans/wheat; % max. moisture = 18% beans, 15.5% corn, 14% sorghum/soybeans, 13.5% wheat)

Railroad Miles:  18.82 main; 0.97 side

• Places with Railroad Service:  Belden, Laurel, Randolph

Local Grain Market:  Click for today's grain prices in Cedar County

Electricity Providers:  Cedar-Knox PPD, City of Laurel, City of Randolph, Nebraska PPD

Well Locations (Irrigation/Livestock), Soils, Groundwater & Surface Water

Total Irrigation/Livestock Wells:  1,590  2024

Agricultural Wells per Square Mile:  2.15  2024

Surface Water Diversions (Irrigation):  83  2024

Click for real time:

Streamflow data on Bow Creek near Wynot

Streamflow data on the Missouri River near Saint James

Groundwater level data at U.S. Hwy 20 & 57th Ave. (3 mi. northeast of Laurel)

Sources: National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA), Nebraska Cooperative Council, Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education, Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, Nebraska Department of Revenue, Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Power Review Board, Nebraska Public Service Commission, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Energy Information Administration, U.S. Department of the Treasury (IRS), Warehouse and Commodity Management Division (USDA)

2023 Levies and Valuations

County levy rate:  $0.2653 per $100 of taxable valuation

County property taxes levied:  $7,493,768

Total local government property taxes levied:  $32,401,672

Total countywide taxable valuation:  $2,824,135,208

Federal PILT payment to Cedar County (FY2024):  $13,548 regarding 4,047 federally-owned acres

Click here for all levy rates in Cedar County

County Levy and Taxation Laws

Levy limits

Since 1996, counties and other political subdivisions have been subject to the levy limits listed in Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3442 and Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-3443.

Statutes and regulations

Nebraska Revised Statutes (Chapter 77)

Nebraska Administrative Code (Title 350)

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-201(2) (Valuation of agricultural land and horticultural land): "Agricultural land and horticultural land as defined in section 77-1359 shall constitute a separate and distinct class of property for purposes of property taxation, shall be subject to taxation, unless expressly exempt from taxation, and shall be valued at seventy-five percent of its actual value, except that for school district taxes levied to pay the principal and interest on bonds that are approved by a vote of the people on or after January 1, 2022, such land shall be valued at fifty percent of its actual value."

Neb. Rev. Stat. § 77-6703(1) (Tax credit for school district taxes paid): "(1) For taxable years beginning or deemed to begin on or after January 1, 2020, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, there shall be allowed to each eligible taxpayer a refundable credit against the income tax imposed by the Nebraska Revenue Act of 1967 or against the franchise tax imposed by sections 77-3801 to 77-3807. The credit shall be equal to the credit percentage for the taxable year, as set by the department under subsection (2) of this section, multiplied by the amount of school district taxes paid by the eligible taxpayer during such taxable year."

Sources: Nebraska Department of Revenue

State Senator: Barry DeKay (District 40)

Standing Committees (click for scheduled committee hearings): 

• Judiciary
• Transportation and Telecommunications
• Government, Military and Veterans Affairs

Special Committees: 

• State-Tribal Relations (vice-chairperson)
• Justice Reinvestment Oversight
• Statewide Tourism and Recreation Water Access and Resource Sustainability

Map and statistics for Legislative District 40

Map of all districts in the Nebraska Unicameral Legislature

Cedar County History

Number of Registered Historic Places: 14

Year Authorized: 1857

Year Organized: 1857

Etymology: Eastern red cedar

     Cedar County, located in the northeastern part of Nebraska, has a rich history that spans over 150 years. From its early days as a frontier territory to its modern-day status as a thriving agricultural center, Cedar County has a proud and storied heritage still celebrated today.

     Before European settlers arrived in Cedar County, the area was home to several Native American tribes, including the Omaha, Ponca, and Yankton Sioux tribes. These tribes lived in the area for hundreds of years and had a deep spiritual connection to the land. They relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their subsistence and were skilled farmers who grew crops such as corn, beans, and squash.

     The first European settlers arrived in Cedar County in the late 1850s, attracted by the fertile soil, abundant water resources, and lush vegetation. These settlers established farms and ranches and built homes and communities. Subsequently, the county experienced rapid growth and development during the late 1800s and early 1900s as more and more people moved into the area.

     One of the most significant events in the history of Cedar County was the construction of the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad, which was completed in 1887. The railroad provided a crucial transportation link between Cedar County and the rest of the state, and was a major factor in the county's growth and development. The railroad brought new settlers and businesses into the area and made it easier to transport goods and products to other markets.

     The creation of the Cedar County Fair, first held in 1875, was another important local event. The fair was a major gathering place for farmers and ranchers in the county, and provided an opportunity to show off their products and compete for prizes. Today, the Cedar County Fair is still held annually and is one of the largest and most popular events in the county.

     Cedar County is known for its rich agricultural heritage, reflected in the many farms and ranches that can be found throughout the county. Agriculture has always been the county's main industry, and the fertile soil and abundant water resources have made it an ideal location for farming and ranching. The county is a major producer of crops, such as corn, soybeans, and wheat, and is also home to a thriving livestock industry.

     The county has also been home to many influential and notable individuals throughout its history. One of the most important figures in the county's history is Charles Augustus Bennet, who was a prominent businessman and politician. Bennet was a founding member of the Fremont, Elkhorn, and Missouri Valley Railroad and played a key role in the county's development. Another notable individual is Frank L. Johnson, who was a prominent rancher and civic leader in the county.

Highlight an important program in your county in this space! Send an email to:

luke.bonkiewicz@nebraskacounties.org

Local Highlights

License Plate Number:  13

Time Zone:  Central

Number of Veterans:  427  2023

Zoned County:  Yes

Number of County-Owned Bridges:  237

Number of County-Owned Dams:  2

Election Data

General Election Turnout:  86.83%  2024

Total Registered Voters:  5,785  2024

Number of Precincts:  13  2022

Number of Election Day Polling Places:  All Voting by Mail

Intergovernmental Data

Emergency Mgt. Planning, Exercise and Training (PET) Region: Northeast

Natural Resource Districts: Upper Loup NRD

State Lands (acres): Chalkrock WMA (145), Wiseman WMA (379.6)

Federal Lands (acres): Audubon Bend (2,372), Bow Creek Recreation Area (200), Green Island Recreation Area (60), Goat Island Recreation Area (800)

Sources: Nebraska Department of Transportation, Nebraska Emergency Management Agency, Nebraska Game & Parks Commission, Nebraska Legislature, Nebraska Office of the CIO, Nebraska Secretary of State, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Election Assistance Commission, U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (eCFR)